Notes & Personnel Info |  | Olive: Ruth-Ann Boyle (vocals); Tim Kellett (keyboards, trumpet, flugelhorn); Robin Taylor-Firth (keyboards, programming). | | The Duke Quartet: Louisa Fuller, Rick Koster (violin); John Metcalfe (viola); Ivan McCready (cello). | | Additional personnel: Omith Mukherjee, Mark Sheridan, Heitor T. Periera (guitar); Tony Foster (guitar, bass); Henrik Linnermann (flute); Darren | | Campbell (bass); Adrian Hackett (drums). | | Recorded at The Tree House, Derbyshire, England. | | Lyricist: Tim Kellett. | | Personnel: Ruth-Ann, Ruth-Ann Boyle (vocals); Mark Sheridan (guitar, flute); Tony Foster , Omith Mukherjee, Heitor Teixeira Pereira (guitar); Louise Fuller, Richard Koster (violin); John Metcalfe (viola); Ivan McCready (cello); Duke Quartet (strings); Henrik Linnermann (flute); Tim Kellett (trumpet, flugelhorn, keyboards); Robin Taylor-Firth (keyboards, programming); Adrian Hackett (drums). | | Audio Mixers: Robin Taylor-Firth; Tim Kellett. | | Recording information: The Tree House, Derbyshire, England. | | Photographers: Matthew Donaldson; Julian Broad. | | Unknown Contributor Roles: Chris Harrison; George Lambert. | | Arrangers: Robin Taylor-Firth; Tim Kellett; John Metcalfe. | | A year after its initial release, Olive's debut album, Extra Virgin, finally produced a number one British hit with "You're Not Alone," a low-key lite trip-hop number with a graceful melody. It's a strong single, and there are similarly strong moments on Extra Virgin, yet Olive don't stand out from the post-Portishead pack. Like Everything but the Girl, they are essentially a folky, pop-oriented group that uses the stoned rhythms of trip-hop as hip window-dressing. Since that rhythm is appealing on its own terms, it doesn't matter that Olive use it as ornamentation, especially since they use it well. What is a problem is their lack of consistent songwriting. Only a few songs match the singles "You're Not Alone" and "Miracle" in terms of memorable, melodic construction, and the weaker tracks tend to float by on their admittedly entrancing production. And that leaves Extra Virgin an intriguing debut, but not necessarily one that promises great things from Olive. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine |
Producer: Robin Taylor-Firth; Tim Kellett |
Engineer: David F. Revill |
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