US musician Moby's new album - "Always Centered at Night" - dances, sings and meditates through a darkness that holds no horrors, but plenty of warmth.
"On Air," the first song from the artist's 22nd studio album to be released on Friday, is an acoustic sunset: Moby doesn't need much more than a piano, clapping hands and the velvety, floating melody of the singer Serpentwithfeet. Immediately afterwards, the number "Dark Days" picks up speed with the help of Lady Blackbird's raspy soul voice.
Producer, DJ and multi-instrumentalist Moby brought 13 singers into the studio for the 13 songs on the album. The Los Angeles-based star said he went out looking for voices and was able to track down talent from online music platforms and karaoke venues in Manhattan.
"Always Centered at Night" covers a wide vocal range. Sudanese-born Gaidaa contributes urban serenity on "Transit," while the voice of British-Burundian J.P. Bimeni in the song "Should Sleep" is like a caffeine kick. Finally, US jazz singer José James provides a soft sunrise with "Ache for."
But animal rights activist Moby has not produced an entirely apolitical album. "Where is your love? Where is your faith? Where is your hope? Where is your place?" asks the British dub poet Benjamin Zephaniah, who died last year, on the breakbeat number "Where Is Your Pride." The video for "We're Going Wrong" - a cover version of the Cream rock song - shows a cow on its way to the slaughterhouse.
Nevertheless, with "Always Centered at Night", 58-year-old Moby wants to take his fans back to the even less conflict-laden times 25 years ago, when he achieved international success with the album "Play".
At that time the World Trade Center attack had not happened yet. Social media didn't exist and the world felt more innocent, he said.
To celebrate the anniversary of "Play," Moby is coming to Europe in September for a rare tour. He'll be playing the huge O2 Arena in London and the Velodrom in Berlin, though his new songs would perhaps fit better in small, intimate clubs.
