The Swingle Singers

Featuring Shlomo and the Vocal Orchestra
Label: Signum Classics
CD No: SIGCD104

An unusual, startling and highly accomplished recording of our famous classics being what can only be described as 'jazzed up', this comes across initially as a novelty record - almost like G4 but backwards. However, after the initial 'wow this is impressive', the novelty does tend to wear off, leaving the listener feeling slightly irritated.

Fans of beatboxing will love this since they will be able to appreciate the complexity of the arrangements. Alas, for the more traditional of us there is the slight feeling of perfectly good classic songs and pieces being ruined and overpowered by new and unusual arrangements.

When listening to Beethoven's fifth in particular I felt it was difficult to concentrate on anything other than the monotonous bass, and the injections of modern songs throughout only served to annoy me - like listening to a second rate version of a masterpiece.

Having said that the arrangements of some of the other pieces are much more pleasing to the ear, It's Sand Man! lending itself particularly well to such an arrangement.

If you like something a bit different and like to throw the odd party then this is the perfect soundtrack for it. If, like me, you prefer something a little more traditional, you will be sadly disappointed with Beauty and the Beatbox. Hannah Sheerin

This review was submitted by a Muso reader and the opinions expressed reflect solely the opinions of the writer, not those of Muso magazine or its publisher. Muso cannot guarantee the accuracy of any information provided

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