Cryptids

Shortly after the release of Different came the second volume from the collaboration between Hugh Hopper and Lisa S. Klossner, this one entitled Cryptics. Hopper's warped sense of the pop song form fits perfectly with Klossner's dark and somewhat sad voice. Recorded mostly after Different, these songs are generally gloomier and sport lusher arrangements. Hopper's programming has become warmer, his bass is more prominent, and the input from other musicians (flutist Chrystelle Blanc-Lanaute, trumpeter Christine Janet, drummer Pip Pyle, trombonist Robert Jarvis, guitarist Gary Smith, and saxophonist Elton Dean) brings diversity to the mix. In essence, Cryptids sounds a couple of steps closer to Hughscore's Delta Flora. Of all the music Hopper has recorded, his collaborations with Lisa S. Klossner have yielded his simplest but best-crafted songs. Stripped of the chops and time signature changes, he turns out to be quite a melodist and arranger. Judging from the way the Hopper-Klossner association has matured through this second offering, one can only hope for a third set of songs. ~ François Couture, Rovi