323 - T.D.F. - Retail Therapy (1997)

"Conseguimos convencer Giorgio Armani a nos deixar fazer a música para um de seus desfiles de moda, pegamos aquilo e transformamos em um álbum chamado "Retail Therapy". Nos chamamos T.D.F., de Totally Dysfunctional Family, e lançamos nossa música na cena dos clubes em singles de 12 polegadas e remixes radicais. Decidimos permanecer totalmente anônimos na esperança de que a música, por seu próprio mérito, nos desse credibilidade. Soa familiar? O trabalho foi totalmente ignorado até alguém ficar sabendo que eu estava de alguma forma envolvido, e então a coisa toda tornou-se completamente intocável. Foi uma pena mesmo, pois era um bom álbum. Na verdade, contudo, foi apenas um aquecimento para "Pilgrim"."
Eric Clapton, "A Autobiografia", 2007, páginas 322, 323
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"We Giorgio Armani to convince us ever make music for one of his parades of fashion, what we get and transform into an album called" Retail Therapy ". In the call TDF, Totally Dysfunctional Family, and we launched our music scene in the clubs in 12 inches of singles and remixes radicals. decided to remain completely anonymous in the hope that the music on its own merit, in that credibility. Sounds familiar? The work was completely ignored until someone becomes aware that I was involved in some way, and then the whole thing has become completely untouchable. It is unfortunate that, because it was a good album. actually, however, was just warming to a "Pilgrim". "
Eric Clapton, "The Autobiography", 2007, pages 322, 323
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REVIEW
by Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Retail Therapy is a misguided, occasionally intriguing, venture into ambient, contemporary instrumental and even drum'n'bass territory by T.D.F., a side project for Eric Clapton and keyboardist Simon Climie. Both musicians sound as if they decided on the concept of the album before actually listening to any electronica, which gives Retail Therapy a weird, canned atmosphere. They also didn't sit down to write full-fledged compositions; they jammed, recording whatever came to their minds — which means, of course, that the record is ambling where it should be provocative and meandering where it should be hypnotic. When the duo strays from atmospherics and works with the buzzing rhythms of drum'n'bass, they are more effective, but Retail Therapy remains a bland, colorless dead alley into electronic music from two musicians who don't comprehend its essence.
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MORE REVIEW
by Steve Marshall (1997)
Retail Therapy is the new release from TDF -- a band fronted by Simon Climie (ex-member of the obscure British synth-pop duo Climie Fisher) and Eric Clapton (who appears under the pseudonym, x-sample). The CD mixes smooth jazzy arrangements, with electronics and jungle rhythms--all offset by Clapton's tasteful acoustic and electric guitar. Several tracks resemble William Orbit's work on the No Speak label. They have the same atmospheric feel and diversity. Some tracks will be right at home in the clubs, while others are perfect for airplay on 'quiet storm' stations. Tunes like "Angelica" and "Sienna" make use of a variety of acoustic arrangements, ranging from solo guitar to an almost tropical feel.

"Sno-God" is one of the harder edged tracks on the disc, featuring superb electric guitar work from Clapton, on top of a tight jungle beat. Another highlight is "Pnom-Sen," a jazzy number with just the right amount of funk. On "Seven," (like Primitive Radio Gods) they use a vocal sample of B.B. King's "How Blue Can You Get." It's not the same line that PRG used, but you can't help wondering if they used the sample thinking that the song would become a hit, based on the success of the PRG tune. The clever thing here is the way the sample fits perfectly in a completely different key than the original song. "Rip Stop" is the CD's first single. The various rhythms and Clapton's fiery fretwork make it one of the highlights.

Originally conceived as backing music for fashion shows, there were no musical boundaries, and no time limits. Once Climie and Clapton got into the songwriting process, they decided to turn it into an album. When asked about his work on the project, Clapton said, "It opened up a whole world that I've never been really directly involved with. This is the furthest I've ever been stretched, and I really enjoy it." Whatever your musical tastes, chances are you'll find something you like on Retail Therapy.
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TRACKS
1 Blue Rock Climie, x-sample 5:26
2 Angelica Climie, x-sample 4:48
3 Pnom-Sen Climie, x-sample 4:08
4 Sno-God Climie, x-sample 5:54
5 Sienna Climie, x-sample 4:05
6 Seven Climie, x-sample 5:23
7 Angelica's Dream Climie, x-sample 1:28
8 What She Wants Climie, x-sample 6:03
9 Donna Climie, x-sample 4:12
10 Rip Stop Climie, x-sample 6:39
11 What Else Climie, x-sample 5:30

Play Ijigg tracks 6 and 9
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