(Beatservice/Creative Vibes)

Strolling down the streets of Oslo one frigid day, I happened upon a quaint little record store nestled between two nondescript white buildings. Being that I had nothing to do until later that evening, I stepped out of the chilling air and ventured inside. Greeted and embraced by the warm smell of spinning wax and familiar rumbles of deep bass harmonics, I spent an hour chatting and browsing, before finally settling on six releases and handing over my shiny krone’s.

Amongst the chosen few was the delightful Blue Nights in Oslo EP by none other than T.D Nicholson (Cinque Cento) himself. I was instantly enchanted by its understated instrumental grooves and used it to great effect to keep me warm throughout the cold Scandinavian winter. Fast forward six months to the present and Cinque Cento is set to release his first album, the delightful Lake Shore Drive (LSD.)

Inspired by the hip- and trip-hopping beats of the early nineties, Nicholson has brought a unique beat sensibility to this release. A bass player of some note, Nicholson has mastered the art of simple yet infectious bass lines. It is these monotonous grooves that form the backbone of his productions, lovingly fleshed out with a rich collection of guitars, saxophones and melodious chanteuse vocals. Sophisticated and saxy, Cinque Cento hails from the same camp that brought the world Royksopp and Flunk, two of the most captivating electro pop acts of modern times.

So then to the music. The filtered house of This is What You Get opens things up in classy style, resonating with twanged out shuffles, languid strummed guitar and soothing vocals. Moving along, Cento chooses to pay his dues early, Ease My Mind being a prototypical, compilation friendly, chill-out fare and a tasty piece of swinging wallpaper at the same time.

Lake Shore Drive, the standout title track, is purely and simply a work of art. Stellar guitar work complements the swirling elegance of an electro-tinged melody and the misty spoken words of Anita Valderhaug. Brassy saxophones and pattering snares are the flavour of the instrumental jazz indulgence Initials CC, which is followed up by the melancholic tones of Missing, a song that will ring true for anyone who has ever said goodbye.

Up next is the gorgeous Restless Sleep. Karen Skeie’s vocals are deliciously unsettling and skate over a dubby melody which uniquely captures that torturous quasi-somino state. Another choice cut is the sleazy electro groove of Grand Funk Auto. This song is to funk what Vicious was to punk.

Changing pace somewhat, Miss Valderhaug once again lends her wistful and distinctive vocal presence to the superbly crafted Someone Got Lifted. All Over Again is a whimsical jaunt, while the final tune, 500 Past Midnight, shimmers in the moonlight.

And there you have it. Ten superb pieces of electronica, the depth and character of which is truly breathtaking. Hazy and languid, each song on LSD sighs and smolders, infused with crisp instruments and glowing Norse charm. Finding suitable music for the minds loungeroom is no easy task, but sinking into the plush melodies and comfy bass lines found here is a guaranteed cure for any worldly woe.

Ambling Scandinavian nu-jazz meets funked out downtempo electro is not a style that most people would have in their music collection. If this album gets the recognition it deserves though, this might be about to change!