Darwin, the other day passed me this album, Death by Chocolate by De-Phazz. I was expecting… well, Darwin’s taste in music vastly differs from mine.
So going in with an open mind, I was soon entranced with some gorgeous pieces.
Death by Chocolate (2001) is peak De‑Phazz: a suave, playful blend of lounge, downtempo, nu‑jazz, and that unmistakable Phazz‑a‑delic cheekiness. It’s an album that never rushes; instead, it glides. You get brass that feels like neon reflections on wet pavement, vocals that slip between cabaret and soul, and grooves that are always just a little mischievous.
It’s also an album of characters — Pat Appleton’s smoky poise, Karl Frierson’s warm charisma, Barbara Lahr’s cool detachment, Joo Kraus’s trumpet cutting through like a spotlight. Every guest brings a different shade to the palette.
The whole record feels like a night out in a stylish, slightly surreal city — part Paris, part Berlin, part imaginary jazz‑lounge dreamscape.
- Heartfixer
A crisp, confident opener. It’s De‑Phazz in “cool operator” mode — tight beats, smooth horns, and that sense of effortless swagger. It sets the tone: you’re in safe hands, and the night is young.
- Something Special (feat. Pat Appleton)
Pat Appleton glides in with her signature warmth. This track is a little flirtatious, a little knowing — the kind of song that winks at you from across the bar. Appleton’s phrasing is velvet.
- Nu Chic
A stylish, strutting piece of lounge‑funk. It feels like walking through a boutique hotel lobby with mirrored walls and soft lighting. De‑Phazz doing what they do best: making cool sound effortless.
- Sabbatical (feat. Karl Frierson)
Frierson brings a soulful, almost theatrical energy. The track has a breezy, escapist vibe — like daydreaming about quitting your job and disappearing to a beach with no phone signal.
- Better Now
A reflective, gently uplifting tune. It’s one of those De‑Phazz tracks that feels like a deep breath after a long week — calm, steady, quietly optimistic.
- Death by Chocolate (feat. Joo Kraus)
The title track, and a standout. Kraus’s trumpet is the star: sharp, seductive, slightly dangerous. It’s noir‑ish, decadent, and deliciously smooth — like a dessert you know you shouldn’t have but absolutely will.
- Jeunesse Dorée (feat. Pat Appleton)
Appleton returns with a track that feels like a satirical toast to the glamorous elite. It’s bubbly, chic, and lightly ironic — champagne fizz in musical form.
- Online (feat. Pat Appleton & Barbara Lahr)
A playful commentary on early‑internet culture (remember, this is 2001). Appleton and Lahr bounce off each other beautifully — one warm, one cool — creating a witty, slightly quirky duet.
- Jim the Jinn (feat. Karl Frierson)
Frierson gives this track a theatrical, almost storybook quality. It’s whimsical, exotic, and full of character — like a short film in audio form.
- Roy’s Choice (feat. Roy Randolph)
A deep‑cut gem. Randolph’s presence adds a vintage flavour — smoky, old‑school, almost blues‑lounge. It’s a late‑night track, best enjoyed with dim lights. The back half — the deeper, moodier stretch
- Trash Box (feat. Pat Appleton)
Appleton brings a sly, playful tone to a track that feels like rummaging through emotional clutter. It’s quirky, rhythmic, and full of personality.
- Jump Over (feat. Scarra Mucci)
A burst of energy. Scarra Mucci injects a dancehall‑inflected spark that shakes up the album’s lounge vibe. It’s unexpected — and that’s exactly why it works.
- Maybe San José (feat. Karl Frierson)
Frierson at his most tender. A wistful, wandering track that feels like postcards from a place you’ve never been but somehow miss.
- Call You / Love’s Labour’s Lost (feat. Pat Appleton)
A two‑part piece that blends modern lounge with literary melancholy. Appleton’s delivery is intimate, almost confessional. A quiet highlight.
- North West (feat. Barbara Lahr)
Lahr’s cool, detached vocals give this track a minimalist, almost architectural feel. It’s crisp, modern, and quietly hypnotic.
- Saw It on the Radio
A perfect closer — playful, meta, and gently satirical. It wraps the album with a wink, reminding you that De‑Phazz never takes themselves too seriously.
Final Thoughts
Death by Chocolate is one of those albums that rewards repeat listens. It’s stylish without being shallow, playful without being silly, and musically rich without ever losing its lounge‑core charm. It’s a world you step into — and once you’re inside, you don’t really want to leave.
Oh, and my favourite from this album, is the track Jim the Jinn featuring Karl Frierson.
I will be on the lookout for further albums, I must thank Darwin!!
