Rithma's new album Sex Sells

Rithma has just released their new album Sex Sells. Rithma, aka Etienne Stehelin, produces all of his own music and plays all of the instruments. As far as Sex Sells goes it is apparent that Rithma has incorporated some jazzy, funky, and sexy sounds with a slight techno feel and very strong jazz roots. All of these works together to give Sex Sells that classic sound of a coffee shop with its very mellow and smooth feel.

The first track is just a small instrumental forward that leads into the second song. Track two, “We Are” featuring “Rock and Roll” Franny, opens with a very smooth acoustic bit that is blended with a saxophone riff that works its way into a strong beat with some funky instrumental riffs in the background making this song a very chill one. Rithma’s voice has a very smooth and well trained sound and feel to it; and in, “We Are” he is accompanied by Franny’s slightly deep feminine voice which gives a nice balance of ranges and harmonies. The song then turns towards a jazzy instrumental sound with accompaniment from voices or other sounds.

Track three, “Map Point Baby” featuring Mitch Manker, has a unique beat that is occasionally interrupted by some synthesizer fills that add a mellow and smooth feel. After this is “Extra Strength” which has a very unique beat and ambient sound to it that is perfect for relaxing too. About half way through this song comes a very very very smooth guitar solo that melts perfectly into this song. Following this is “Lithuania” which features a faster and more diverse beat that are layered over with very crunchy bass lines that set the mood for the song. The vocals have a loudspeaker monotone sound to them that helps set of the changing style of the beat from plain drums to a very heavy techno beat, but this is all held together by the high hat that stays mostly constant throughout the song giving it a unified sound that the listener will like. Skipping ahead is the title track “Sex Sells” featuring Dan Boissy that opens with an elevator style instrumental bit in the opening that is picked up with some tribal drums in the back ground. The listener will understand why this is the title track because of its smooth and relaxing sound but it still keeps from being boring with its strong beat. Immediately following this is “Sex Jam” which also features Dan Boissy. This song is an ultra-smooth transition from “Sex Sells” carrying the same feel through it, but carrying it into a whole new direction. This album is one that has some well planned transitions that give Sex Sells a masterful flow that make this album a great one.

This album is one that should be recommended to anybody who is looking for some smooth sounds that are ideal for chilling to. To check out Rithma and his music go to http://www.myspace.com/rithma.