- Barry Gilbey and Sarah Whittaker-Gilbey, the production duo known as Mara, have been around since 1997, and six years after their first foray into the dance world, we are finally graced with their debut album. I say finally, because at one stage or anther, a Mara production or remix has surely impressed. Whether it was their great single release of 99 entitled ‘One’ (which features on this album), or their classic remix of Enzo Scifo’s ‘I’m Alive’, an album has been due for Mara and it is here through Choo Choo. If Only You Knew is full of Mara’s finest club moments as well as some of their down tempo chills.
The album begins in a flurry with ‘If You Only Knew’ and ‘Turning It On’ getting things started in great style, before the brilliant effected vocals and break drums of ‘Desanitize’ get things moving along nicely. ‘Snoodle’ is a nice downtempo instrumental while Sara’s vocals again are the highlight in ‘Satsify Me’. ‘1974’ is a nice chunky affair while ‘Coming Down’ is one of the progressive highlights of the album, and is a track that got some heavy play by Anthony Pappa in particular. ‘One’ gets a nice modern reworking while Mara display their dirty work with ‘Shake That Thing’ and then the deep baselines and gritty sounds of ‘Computer Beats’. There is a return to some dirty breaks with ‘Heretic’ before the album closes out with ‘Peace’, a soothing vocal production, and then the bonus track, a guitar interlude featuring the vocals to ‘One’.
This is a pretty solid album by Mara which pretty much showcases what they are all about. From the deep progressive beats to the gritty breakbeat, and the soothing vocals of Sara, Mara definitely has the ability to keep it interesting and upbeat.