Don't lose 'Hope'

Sometimes it's difficult to figure out where to look if you're interested in exploring new musical styles. Maybe you'd like a glimpse into something that's full of turntable tricks, samples and great production that pays its respects to the relaxed sounds of France. Well, dear reader, Wax Tailor is for you. Aside from having one of the best pseudonyms imaginable, Wax Tailor (JC Le Saoût) has pieced together a series of slick albums, EPs and singles after breaking away from the French rap group La Formule.\nOn Hope & Sorrow there exists a fearless flow and abundance of great beats that are likely to entice hungry hip-hop fans or anyone who has an appreciation for interesting music in general. Wax Tailor creates intricate musical pieces comprising obscure audio clips, guest vocalists, scratching and downright funky drums. Whereas Wax Tailor's previous album, Tales of the Forgotten Melodies, was an interesting exercise in stretching samples as far as they could go, Hope & Sorrow is an example of when an already appealing artist breaks through and creates something that is undeniably great. \nThe songs on the album have much more focus than Wax Tailor's previous efforts. Development of the tunes is critical, as Tailor doesn't give everything away immediately. Instead, he allows the songs to become familiar and draws the listener into a foot-tapping or head-nodding frenzy while new elements are injected subtly and precisely to complement the mood being evoked. Wax Tailor also manages to make the songs more accessible to the average ear with this effort.\nSharon Jones, Voice, Charlotte Savary, ASM & Marina Quaisse and Ursula Rucker all contribute their unique vocal timbres to the album with outstanding results. Though each of the vocalists provides the album with something special, the wonderful Sharon Jones shines the brightest in "The Way We Lived." The track not only contains some soulful vocals from Jones, but it sounds almost like the soundtrack to a carnival played in slow-motion on a broken Victrola with a soggy drum set providing the beat.\nMost of the album contains a dark vibe that contrasts well with lively percussion, smooth vocals and various other well-placed accents. The album's title, Hope & Sorrow, is certainly fitting based on the morose accompaniments highlighted by the bright vocals and other embellishments. However, Hope & Sorrow doesn't leave you feeling anything except satisfied.