Extra Virgin is the debut album by British trip hop band Olive, originally released in 1996. The album includes the single "You're Not Alone", which originally reached number 42 in the UK Singles Chart in 1996 and when re-released in 1997 it reached number one.[8] Two other singles were released from the album: "Outlaw" (UK No. 14) and "Miracle" (UK No. 41).[8] The trip hop influence of Massive Attack and Portishead, while in small quantities, are evident, mixed in with synth-based electronic dance.
| Extra Virgin | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1996 | |||
| Recorded | 1994–January 1996 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 57:06 | |||
| Label | RCA | |||
| Producer | ||||
| Olive chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from Extra Virgin | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [1] |
| Music Week (1996) | [2] |
| Music Week (1997) | [3] |
| Muzik | [4] |
| People | (favourable)[5] |
| Pitchfork | 5.2/10[6] |
| Synthesis | (favourable)[7] |
The album was re-released in 1997 following the success of "You're Not Alone" and peaked at number 15 on the UK Albums Chart.[8]
Recording
editSynthesizers used on the album are a Roland Juno-60, an E-mu Systems Vintage Keys, and an Akai S3000XL sampler. Mixing was done on a Mackie mixing console.[9]
The band created some samples by recording live sounds, edited and subsequently filtered.[9][10]
Critical reception
editJeremy Helligar from People magazine wrote, "Ruth-Ann Boyle's warmed-honey vocals offset the iciness of titles like "Killing" and "Blood Red Tears"; her voice caresses arrangements at once gentle and unsettled. The intriguing combination makes Extra Virgin a bittersweet delight."[5]
Track listing
editAll tracks are written by Tim Kellett and Robin Taylor-Firth
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Miracle" | 7:19 |
| 2. | "This Time" | 4:43 |
| 3. | "Safer Hands" | 4:53 |
| 4. | "Killing" | 4:12 |
| 5. | "You're Not Alone" | 4:13 |
| 6. | "Falling" | 4:53 |
| 7. | "Outlaw" | 5:28 |
| 8. | "Blood Red Tears" | 4:41 |
| 9. | "Curious" | 4:57 |
| 10. | "You Are Nothing" | 4:17 |
| 11. | "Muted" | 3:36 |
| 12. | "I Don't Think So" | 3:54 |
| Total length: | 57:06 | |
Personnel
editOlive
- Ruth-Ann Boyle – vocals
- Tim Kellett – flugelhorn, keyboards, trumpet
- Robin Taylor-Firth – keyboards
Other musicians
- Darren Campbell – bass guitar
- Duke Quartet – strings:
- Louise Fuller – violin
- Richard Koster – violin
- Ivan McCready – cello
- John Metcalfe – viola
- Tony Foster – bass, guitar
- Adrian Hackett – drums
- George Lambert – digital EQ
- Henrik Linnermann – flute
- James McNichol – assistant engineer
- Omith Mukherjee – guitar
- Heitor Teixeira Pereira – guitar
- Geoff Pesche – mastering
- David F. Revill – engineer
- Mark Sheridan – flute, guitar
- Leon Zervos – mastering
Metcalfe had previously played for The Durutti Column alongside Kellett, as had Pereira for Simply Red.
Charts and sales
edit| Chart (1997) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Albums (ARIA)[11] | 89 |
| Scottish Albums (OCC)[12] | 58 |
| UK Albums (OCC)[13] | 15 |
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States | — | 120,000[14] |
References
edit- ^ AllMusic review
- ^ "Reviews: Albums" (PDF). Music Week. 24 August 1996. p. 23. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
- ^ "Reviews: Albums" (PDF). Music Week. 10 May 1997. p. 40. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
- ^ Redmond, Peter (October 1996). "Olive: Extra Virgin" (PDF). Muzik. No. 17. p. 124. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 April 2022. Retrieved 16 July 2022.
- ^ a b Helligar, Jeremy (27 October 1997). "Picks & Pans". People. Vol. 48. Issue 17.
- ^ Pitchfork Media review[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Synthesis review". Archived from the original on 26 September 2007. Retrieved 18 August 2006.
- ^ a b c "OLIVE - full Official Chart History - Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com. Retrieved 11 February 2019.
- ^ a b Robinson, Dave. "People: Olive". The Mix. Archived from the original on 21 June 2007. Retrieved 28 August 2006.
- ^ Jung, Fred. "A Fireside Chat with Olive". Jazz Weekly. Retrieved 28 August 2006.
- ^ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 208.
- ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
- ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
- ^ Paoletta, Michael (15 April 2000). "Artists & Music: Soundtrack Cut Gives Boost To Olive's New Maverick Set". Billboard. p. 16. Retrieved 4 October 2023.