CD Review - Invisible Rhythm

‘A new generation of voice’
WORLD MUSIC CD OF THE WEEK
****

There was a time when Blindman's Holiday was the best female a cappella group in the country. Over the past decade there have been a number of likely contenders - Tiddas, Arramaieda - but, with Invisible Rhythm, Melbourne-based five-voice group Coco's Lunch are ready to assume the mantle. This is such a comprehensively good album, full of dynamic rhythms and great singing, and suffused with an exotic world music ambience, that it comes as a surprise to realise that every track has been composed by members of the group. The range of musical styles is remarkable, Seven Sisters, composed by Susan Johnson, has a delicious gospel-based sense of harmonising. Johnson's Mama Mo has African inflections. Journey, composed by Lisa Young, with the voices wrapping around each other, has a South American feel. Then there are those compositions - which are just pure celebrations of the heart-stopping beauty of five voices in full flight.

This is one of those rare a cappella records which actually sounds as good as a live performance. Usually - particularly with groups like Sweet Honey in the Rock and Ladysmith Black Mambazo - the live performance is the essence of the group. With Coco's Lunchthe genius lies in the way they layer their voices and that sounds just as good on disc as it does in live performance.

Sydney Morning Herald
August 9, 1999
Reviewer: Bruce Elder