Nestling between cushy and smooth songs, one finds the real gem of Ralph Kiefer's debut album "One" right in the middle of the album. The 17-minute (and four part) "S.O.S. Suite" featuring Declaime. The jazzy introduction merges to hip hop, morphs into an ambient (acid) jazz fusion with subtle drum and bass hints, before Ralph Kiefer takes it home with a funky beat. My other personal favorite is his version of America's "Horse With No Name". The three-minute "Desert Intro" gets you into the right mood. The beat trots through the hot-dry melody, before De-Phazz singer Karl Frierson turns the song into a loungy downtempo ride.
"One" is a truly felicitous debut and worth listening to, if you disregard the only downer on the album: another cover version of "Light My Fire". It's time to slam that door shut once and for all.

by artistxite