REV Art of Noise, 'Yebo'

[Henry Potts]

Art of Noise, 'Yebo (Ollie J and Arkana remixes)' single (China Records
Ltd. WOKCD2052, 1995)

rating/5
Yebo (the seven inch mix) ****
Yebo (the trust mix) ***
Yebo (the arkana dub) ***

written by Dudley/Jeczalik/W. Nkosi
performed by the Art of Noise (Anne Dudley and J.J. Jeczalik) with
Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens
produced by Anne Dudley, Ted Hayton and J.J. Jeczalik

1, 2) additional remix and production by ollie j and james barnett
3) additional remix and production by arkarna

The Art of Noise go techno giving a club dance anthem with 'world music'
overtones from Africa. The few lyrics are sung by Mahlathini and the
Mahotella Queens in an unspecified African language (Ibo?). "Yebo" means
"yes", appropriate given founder AoN member Trevor Horn's previous band.
The song is mediocre, but some familiar AoN synth work of old and fun
lyrical interjections by Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens add up to
something a touch above most music of its vein.

The "trust mix" is basically a longer version (6.29) of the seven inch mix
(3.49) and begins to pale at that length, as does the "Arkarna dub" (8.46)
despite some interesting alternative synth work and vocal treatment.

Henry Potts, 17.10.96