Track Listing

1. I'll Be There
2. Best Days of Our Lives
3. 21st Century
4. Jericho
5. Pursuit of Happiness
6. Angel
7. Into the Sun
8. Subway
9. Play On
10. Through the Trees
11. Higher Ground
12. I'll Be There [Soul Mekanik Remix][*]
13. Into the Sun [Static Revenger Mix Edit][*]

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #86952 in Music
• Brand: WEEKEND PLAYERS
• Released on: 2003-03-11
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .20 pounds

Album Description
A collection of stunning songs that provides the perfect soundtrack to long lazy days. They range from funky anthem-style dance floor fillers to dreamy ballads. 13 tracks including two bonus tracks, 'I'll Be There' (Soul Mekanik Remix) & 'Into The Sun' (Static Revenger Mix Edit). Multiply Records. 2002 & 2003.

Amazon.com
The unique collaboration between Groove Armada's Andy Cato and left-field jazz/dance singer Rachel Foster that first premiered in the summer of 2001 gets an extended airing on the Pursuit of Happiness. The album is a decidedly laid-back affair, which never breaks above the "at rest" pulse of "Into the Sun." It's clear to see why so many have compared the Foster/Catto collaboration with Ben Watt and Tracey Thorn, as most of the tracks are strongly reminiscent of Everything But the Girl. "Best Days of Our Lives" and "Angel" also follow the pleasurable "spaced" style developed on Sade's Lovers Rock. Echoes of Groove Armada's infamous "At the River" feature heavily on "Jericho" and on the windswept album closer "Higher Ground." While all the stereotypical chill-out clichés can be used to describe the album ("lazy summer afternoon music," "4am post-clubbing soundtrack"), Pursuit of Happiness is perhaps three years too late, and although pleasant enough, serves as a quaint reminder of the summer of ‘99. --John Galilee

From URB Magazine
(FFRR/Multiply) I could write for miles about this record, miles of open highway meandering through the English countryside. That's just one of the images that springs to mind after listening to this. That particular image happens to be on the cover - purely coincidental. Comprised of producer Andy Cato (one half of Groove Armada) and singer Rachel Foster, the UK-based duo's music is filled with lush atmospherics, enriching vocals and nostalgic melodies. The songs pervade the room before engulfing the listener. This album exemplifies the universality of music, highlighting all that cannot be said but which can only be experienced. Foster's lyrics gently outline a portrait rather than tell a story, leaving room for Cato to aptly fill in the rest with styles covering house, downtempo, soul and in between. The dynamic duo stirs widespread emotions often felt but rarely described. Weekend Players are modern soul music at its finest, eight days a week.

El-Dopa

Customer Reviews

Dreamy electro-Brit-pop
Like so many of my favorite artists, Weekend Players would still be unknown to me if I had to rely on radio to introduce me to good music. Fortunately, I discovered them through the "Ultra Chill" compilation CDs, which have been consistently worth the price in terms of suggesting new artists to investigate. The first song I heard was "Jericho" (on Ultra Chill 04 - another good buy) and I was immediately smitten by the smooth grooves and Rachel Foster's Tracey Thorn-like voice. Many people have compared Weekend Players to EBTG, but they also compare favorably to trip-pop groups like Morcheeba and electronica artists like Chicane. The mood here is relaxed and sultry, the tunes are infectious and the vocals are lovely. What more could you ask?

Yes, please, may I have another?
I love, love, love this CD. It has been in constant rotation (at home, in my car, at work, on my iPod, at the gym) since 2003. This tops my list of desert island CDs.

It is so dreamy and relaxing, but not in the obvious formulaic downtempo way. Rachel Foster's voice sends me spinning. And can Andy Cato do any wrong? With Groove Armada, Weekend Players and Caia under his belt, I think not.

I actually bought this CD on a lark - I loved the album cover, the artist's name, and it was at a "new artist" price of $9.99. I didn't realize until later that Andy Cato was the mastermind behind the project, or I would have bought it the day it was released.

"Jericho" is easily one of my all time favorite songs. Rachel Foster's voice on this song, along with the sensual lyrics, leaves you wanting more, and do they deliver more. The entire CD is lazy and sensuous, so sophisticated without feeling at all contrived. Every song is a standout, one melting into the other, yet all with a distinctive sound. "I'll Be There", "Best Days of Our Lives", "Pursuit of Happiness" and "Higher Ground", along with "Jericho" are forever etched into my being. I know that this is one of those CDs that I will carry with me through life. Dramatic, I know, but that is how much I love it.

My message? Buy, play, repeat. I pray there is a sophomoric release for this side project and the sooner, the better.

The best of its kind
Like many other listeners I came across this amazing debut by luck. I was surfing around to see what was new. I am so happy to have come across Weekend Players, but I'm even more excited about the potential they have.

The album is very defined. It's perfect harmony between vocals, a hint of electronica and great down beats (the vocals are really amazing). It's smooth, clean, and quality. I think the title says it all. The album is a pursuit of happiness, the feeling of calm fulfillment. Just like lying on the beach on a beautiful day with a nice cool breeze, and you have nothing to worry about... at all.