雪猫ジル* – 生タイム！❤ (Nama Time！❤)

Globetrotter Gilles Snowcat assembled a diverse crew of talent for "Nama Time!" including a couple of veterans from his band Awaken, along with guest vocalists Maria de Condé and Antonella Corrias. The album showcases Gilles' theatrical flair for documenting a life at the limits of sensibility, in a manner not unlike his hero Serge Gainsbourg. Much of the appeal of the disc comes when Gilles tones down his gonzo approach to life to croon romantically, even wistfully. The live in studio approach captures many such moments candidly, resulting in a subdued yet energetic collection of quietly intense moments. "Nama" means "raw" and "unfiltered" in Japanese; this direct-to-your-ears approach delivers the most intimate listening experience of Gilles' oeuvre thus far. "Nama Time!" is a treat to hear, presenting a view of the romantic side of one of popular music's most playful characters. The disc's opener, "Continental Breakfast," is the only track to involve overdubs; it begins as a charming pop song but soon evolves into an art rock fantasy. It's a suitable beginning for a disc filled with tunes about hotels, travel, romance and food, and outstanding performances by some terrifically talented performers.