Scott Hardkiss: Technicolor Dreamer

Scott Hardkiss has been around for a long time. Though best associated with the Hardkiss label, which cranked out intelligent, often gorgeous West Coast house during the 1990s, Mr. Hardkiss returns with his first album proper as a recording artist. Technicolor Dreamer marks a return to the urban pop, soul, and funk sounds of his native New York City. As the back cover suggests, the album is envisioned as an imaginary soundtrack to an electric night out on the town. Thus, a handful of vocalists, most notably Luna’s Britta Philips, contribute to the eclectic feel. The wide-screen dance pop of “Come On, Come On” and the old skool electro-funk shout-out “Hey Deejay!” hit the sweet spot, but too much of Technicolor Dreamer comes across as more of an exercise in Party Albums 101 than a revelation. It’s far from bad but far from 1999, too.