WOMAN

In 2010, Mike Milosh flew to Denmark to work on a Quadron remix with that duo's Robin Hannibal. The collaboration grew into another duo, named Rhye, which released two singles on Innovative Leisure in 2012. Milosh and Hannibal weren't forthcoming about being behind the achingly romantic soul-pop elegance of "Open" and "The Fall." Once word got out, it seemed forehead-smacking obvious to anyone familiar with Milosh's solo albums and Hannibal's many involvements, Quadron included. Rhye's Woman, released on a major and front-loaded with the first two A-sides, is an ideal fusion of the two instrumentalists and producers, whose sound is enhanced -- never overstuffed -- with horns, woodwinds, and strings, including harp. Tempos rarely break a breezy pace. When they do, they arrive at just the right time, during the album's latter half. The lilting "3 Days" echoes the Blue Nile's "Tinseltown in the Rain," while "Hunger" is breathy boogie, like a sequel to Owusu & Hannibal's "Lonnie's Secret" with surprisingly well-placed horn skronks. In the main, the purpose is bedroom listening, though the tone is so bright that daytime play seems most suitable. The lyrics are packed with metaphors, yet they are expressed in a heartrending and inviting manner. They don't get more explicit than "I'm a fool for that shake in your thighs" -- the album's opening line. Milosh's voice, high and sigh-like, is frequently likened to that of the significantly deeper and richer Sade but is closer to that of Michael Franks. Beside Hannibal, he's made his most expressive and pleasurable material to date. Anyone new to Hannibal's work should start with Quadron's self-titled album and then check the group Boom Clap Bachelors, the album Living with Owusu & Hannibal, Szjerdene's "Lead the Way," and Leon Ware's "Orchids for the Sun." Milosh has three albums on Plug Research, home to Quadron, all of which are worth some time. ~ Andy Kellman