2005 could well be Deep Dish's most successful year yet. The Grammy Award winners belatedly following Junk Science,
their acclaimed 1998 debut, with a collection of songs that owe much to
dance music's current obsession with rocky guitar riffs. Although, to
be fair, Ali 'Dubfire' Shirazinia and Sharam Tayebi, the uncompromising
Iranian duo, are pretty much responsible for that trend following their
breakout pop smash "Flashdance".
"Say Hello", with vocalist Anousheh Khalili's ethereal delivery is
set against a backdrop of classical piano chords has further fuelled
their chart statue, while the forthcoming re-issue of their top 10
production of De'Lacy's "Hide Away" will further stoke their coffers.
Despite initially being pigeonholed as deep-house producers, the
Washington-based duo have never allowed their music to be dictated by
fads or trends; their sound now encompassing a multitude of genres
similarly reflecting their varied multi-faceted tastes.
From the rocky "Sacramento" with Richard Morel, via the electro
fuelled "Everybody's Wearing My Head" to the twisted house of "Dub
Shepherd" complete with the Celeda-esque
charms of Janis Leahy. There's even folksy beats ("Awake Enough"),
melancholic interstellar ambience ("In Love With A Friend"), and
cinematic soundscapes ("Sergio's Theme").
Elsewhere a timely guest appearance from Stevie Nicks on a stirring cover of "Dreams" - this album's Tracey Thorn and "Future Of The Future (Stay Gold)" - will appeal to Radio 2 listeners as much as ardent Ibiza clubbers.
While most of Dubfire and Sharam's productions have an epic,
grandiose feeling, the duo's knack for tight programming and genre
blending has carried them above many of their dance-chart compatriots.
As with their debut, Deep Dish have made and succeeded in their
conscious effort to move forward musically with a consistent album
that's anything but a collection of club tunes.
