Skye Edwards's sultry, smoky vocals still set the tone for most of the tracks by producer/multi-instrumentalist brothers Paul and Ross Godfrey, who draw from a disparate range of influences. The Brazilian elements on Charango aren't that surprising considering the Godfreys worked with David Byrne before they launched Morcheeba. The most obvious examples are "São Paulo," a lush and languid Latin swing written after a trip to the city; and the title track, which takes its name from (and opens with) the small Brazilian guitar traditionally made from an armadillo shell. After the brief intro, the song evolves into a harder, darker creature altogether, with blippy synths, funky guitar, and feisty turntable scratches underpinning a menacing rap by Pace Won of the Outsidaz.
The album, though, creeps slowly to that climax opening with the moody "Slow Down," a slice of downtempo blues-jazz lounge fare with cool blues guitar and narcotized vocals by Edwards. Still slow but a bit more on the trip-hop tip is "Otherwise," with somber minor-key strings. "Aqualung" provides additional slow-burn trip-hop, this time with a slightly psychedelic flair thanks to Hammond organ and electric guitar work amid more sad, soaring strings and -- in keeping with the tune's title -- flute in one-leg-balancing Ian Anderson mode.
Plaintive slide guitar sets the mood on "What New York Couples Fight About," a beautifully melancholy duet between Edwards and Kurt Wagner of Lambchop, while "Undress Me Now" sounds like a happy, sappy 1960s folk-pop tune owing to heavy orchestration and vocal harmonies.
Fierce guitar, a swooning orchestra, and rapid-fire rap come together on the vibey "Get Along," once again featuring Pace Won. Slick Rick takes over the mic for "Women Lose Weight," a hilarious speak-and-sing in which the guest rapper tells the story of having to kill his overweight wife so he can get with his secretary -- deliciously un-PC but highly entertaining. The same can be said for much of Charango, although it's much more fitting for the bedroom than the chill-out room.
