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. Two other singles were released from the album: "Outlaw" (UK No. 14) and "Miracle" (UK No. 41). The trip hop influence of Massive Attack and Portishead, while in small quantities, are evident, mixed in with synth-based electronic dance.
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.
Recording Synthesizers 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.
The band created some samples by recording live sounds, edited and subsequently filtered.
Critical reception Jeremy 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."
Track listing
Personnel Olive 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 + Chart performance of Extra Virgin Chart (1997) Peakposition Australian Albums (ARIA) 89
References