In March ’03, at the time that this review is being written, Entertainment Tonight is poised to do a special investigatory feature into the controversial underwear advertisements for 2(x)ist. Playing in the background of these ‘scandalous’ ads is a catchy Eurodisco meets elelctroclash track called ‘Automatic Lover.’ Sung by Jay-Jay Johanson, who looks and sounds like a Scandinavian version of Howard Jones (complete with bizarre haircut and synthesized soundtrack), the song with it’s hypnotic beat, mesmerizing melody, warm vocals and ‘See me, feel me, hear me, love me, touch me’ chorus, stands on its own and it’s easy to understand why an advertiser, who has the youth market in range, would select the tune. The rest of the songs on Antenna (E-Magine) tune into dance culture (‘On The Radio’ and ‘Déjà vu’) and get good reception, with a few nods to laid-back after-hours numbers (‘Cookie,’ ‘Open Up,’ ‘Wonderful Combat’). Whatever the outcome of the 2(x)ist underwear debate, Johansson can rest assured that people will probably be listening to his disc in various states of undress.
Mark Christopher’s 1998 movie 54, about the legendary New York disco, was like that bloody car accident you drive by on the highway. You want to cover your eyes, but you can’t look away. One of the best things to come of 54, aside from Ryan Phillippe in satin shorts, was the soundtrack. Along with Amber and Ultra Nate, Jocelyn Enriquez comprised the trio Stars on 54 and their remake of ‘If You Could Read My Mind,’ was a mind-blowing experience. I could do without the religiously devout Jocelyn Enriquez’s exaltations to the Lord (can’t we just dance?) on her new album All My Life (Jem/Next Plateau). However, it’s great when she lets the beat hit us, as on the title track (in which she sends an unfaithful lover packing), ‘Why’ (in which she lets go of an ex-lover), the disco love song ‘No Way No How,’ the soulful funk of ‘It’s No Wonder,’ the eternity double entendres of ‘Take My Hand’ and ‘Your Touch.’ Enriquez’s bible-thumping boogie dominates the disc and continues throughout, on songs such as ‘Make Me An Angel’ and ‘Faith, Hope and Prayer,’ to mention a few