One of the more problematic pitfalls of the recent “neo-Soul” movement has been an ever-increasing level of self-consciousness, as preoccupation with genre and tradition can easily lead to music that is at best boring, at worst painfully self-important. The Tortoise and The Hare, the sophomore full-length from Philly-based duo Jazzyfatnastees, is neither a boring album nor a self-important one, and despite occasional lapses into the formulaic and pretentious, it comes closer to greatness than most R&B albums you’re likely to hear all year. Part of this may be due to the fact that Tracey Moore and Mercedes Martinez seem content to lovingly reside in each other’s shadows, keeping the vocals tight and eliminating the danger of hyper-introspective star trips (see Lauryn Hill Unplugged). Part of it may be due to the strength of the songs, as “Something In The Way” is a stunning piece of pop-R&B and twisted guitar riffs lace “Compelled” with a healthy dose of Prince-ish poison. And part of it may simply be due to the fact that Jazzees’ soaring harmonies are infected with a refined sense of joy and emotional purpose that is far more the essence of great Soul music than flashy clothes and tired name-dropping. The Tortoise and The Hare may not be a perfect record, but it’s a very good one, and in the end does nothing more—or less—than make us want to keep listening.
Originally published in Paper, October 2002
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