Ten Years After

It’s hard to believe Olive’s last release was ten years ago. Their music still sounds fresh today. The group consisted of producers Tim Kellett and Robin Taylor-Firth along with vocalist Ruth-Ann Boyle. Their music is sort of psychedelic-soul mixed with a bit of trip-hop. Their entire oeuvre is a paltry three cds, the first, “Extra Virgin” was released in 1996 and their last, “Trickle” sadly was released in 2000. Boyle has a hauntingly beautiful voice with a remarkable range, which plays nicely along with the electronic beats and spacey effects backing her up. Almost all their songs feature brilliant production and overdubbing. I really can’t understand why the group was so short lived. The song “Curious” should have vaulted them to international fame, but alas, they’ve been brushed into the ashcan of obscurity.