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A big band with a big sound, Los Angeles-based Fool’s Gold come off as self-consciously cosmopolitan. Their first album is a melting pot of English and Hebrew lyrics, African polyrhythms, and Western melodic pop, all artfully woven together by leaders/composers Luke Top and Lewis Pesacov. This worldly concoction works because it’s irresistibly danceable despite its esoteric origins — soulful party music rich in emotion and excitement. The opener, “Surprise Hotel,” begins as a solid, late-era Talking Heads knockoff but grows into a flurry of tapping congas and a incisive guitar that manages to play rhythm and melody all at once. The Latin-flavored “Nadine” is a sultry cheek-to-cheek number with Top playing a doo-wop Lothario amid soaring horns and a syncopated, hip-shaking rhythm. Throughout, the back-up vocals are an important element, particularly on “The World Is All There Is,” where the choral exhortations create a communal, participatory feel. The spirited chants and intricate beats give Fool’s Gold unity, and the precision is inviting. They never break from their tight sound with a boldly original gesture, but there’s no need to risk spoiling this fun set of songs.
