The Pearl is former Soulstice member Gabriel René's solo foray into the fusion of '70s soul and '90s house. A diverse cruise through thick beats, watery horns and sexy female vocals, The Pearl escapes the thick trappings of traditional house, instead blending San-Fran acid jazz with R&B instrumentation and packaging it a loosely-based concept album structure. The songs flow together effortlessly, but seldom seem linear or redundant.

At just under 70 minutes, The Pearl could easily succumb to superfluousness, but René's arrangements and obvious gift for production, coupled with a parade of guest vocalists like Zoé Ellis, Omega and Naked Music's own Lisa Shaw, create an atmospheric mood, enhanced by the {cough} interesting cover art.

Aquanote's mix of organic instruments and machine-driven soundscape creates a fluid and original album that wouldn't be lost in any soul collection. Then again, given The Pearl's risqué cover art and liquid sensuality of its mood, you might want to keep it in the bedroom.