Review: Morgan Page "Believe" (Nettwerk Productions)

Jan 5, 2010 5:30 PM, Sarah Benzuly

           
 

Morgan Page is best known as a remixer: He’s worked with such artists as Madonna, Katy Perry, Tegan & Sara and La Roux. But after manning the beats for more than 110 remixes, he’s finally found the time to put out another CD of his own work. Though he only gets behind the mic for one song, “In the Dark,” his personal tie to the lyrics is felt throughout this fine offering. The album’s first single, “Fight for You,” is an intriguing mash-up of guitars and analog keyboards, with the synths taking a dominant role as is the case with most progressive house. “Agnus Dei” borrows from Middle Eastern music; you can envision belly dancers swaying around Page as he mans the DJ decks. While dance music–heavy throughout, Page’s album includes such beautiful vocalists as Telepopmusik’s Angela McCluskey (“Tell Me Why”), Gabriel & Dresden alum Jan Burton (“Traces Remain”) and Natalie Walker ("I’m Only Human"). This is not your booty-kickin’, four-on-the-floor dance music offering; Believe is infused with melodic grooves, syncopated rhythms and textures that ebb and flow from one track to the next. But you’ll have to wait until February 23 to check it out!

Producers: Page and Dave Dresden (“I’ve Had Friends”). Studio: The Hotel (Los Angeles).

—Sarah Benzuly