Reviews Written by Nubian ∑agle ©™
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May 1, 2007
Great collection of Brazilian jazz and bossa nova
Pros: Great tunes and interesting selections
Cons: None
A few years ago, I visited Chicago checking out the releases at a favorite underground record shop where I bought this excellent compilation. I asked one of the salespeople for a decent collection of Brazilian jazz, and she played the fifth volume of the "Glucklich" series. I've never even heard of this collection, but I was willing to give it a spur-of-the-moment chance. After just a couple tracks, I fell in love and bought the CD right there on the spot. It was that easy. The grooves on this set are a mix of old school jams and (mostly) new vocal tracks that can really set the tone for a relaxing afternoon. It's a nice mix of bossa nova and Brazilian jazz with standouts like the Blissom remix of Rise Ashen's "Torn," Montefiori Cocktail's innovative re-working of Crystal Waters' "Gypsy Woman" and the 1970s cut "Agua De Beber" by Aquarius Y Luiz Antonio. Rainer Truby really did a good job picking the right tracks for this CD, which is chillout bliss for those looking to add an interesting twist to their music collection. Definitely recommended. ...
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Hed Kandi: Twisted Disco 02.04 / Various
by Various Artists | MusicPrice: $11.17 to $18.60 Compare PricesApril 30, 2007
Twisted Disco - and electro
Pros: A solid compilation blending house and electro grooves
Cons: slightly inferior disc 2
Hed Kandi fans who are familiar with the "Deeper" and "Twisted Disco" entries may be in for a shock when they listen to this unmixed collection of dance grooves. Disc 1 is a radical (but much welcome) departure from the norm, offering sizzling electro jams that are cut from the 1980s cloth of synthpop. Highlights are a discocentric re-working of the Pink Floyd classic "Comfortably Numb," an electrifying remix of Bucci Bag's "More Lemonade" by Scissor Sisters, and the soulful "You Used To" which is an update of "You Used to Hold Me So Tight" written by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. And the opener, a cover of Go-Go's "Our Lips Are Sealed," is a real treat. Disc 2 is more true to the Twisted Disco theme, offering selections of more traditional house. Highlights? We have Narcotic Thrust's "I Like it," Therese's infectious "Time," and Camel Riders' "Twisted." But while both discs are very good, the second disc pales a bit by comparison, and it doesn't help that it has a couple of missteps, including an update of the dancefloor classic "Plastic Dreams" that doesn't quite top the original. But don't let that discourage you from picking this up. This is one of the better Hed Kandi compilations I've heard in a while. Worth a spin. ...
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Hed Kandi: Beach House 04.04 / Various
by Various Artists | MusicPrice: $18.21 to $18.21 Compare PricesApril 30, 2007
Another house compilation from the Hed Kandi label
Pros: Superior disc 1
Cons: Lackluster disc 2
2004's "Beach House" offers more of what we expect from this London-based Hed Kandi series: summery, often percussion heavy house. The best of these 24 unmixed tracks can be found on disc one, with delectable selections like Kaskade's "Safe," Nars & Emma's "I Wanna Know," and "Tell Me All About It" by Treena Rose. Miguel Migs, a DJ whose style of house fits perfectly into this compilation, is represented on "Do It For You." But disc 2 is where the magic nearly unravels. While a handful of the cuts on this disc may warrant a replay, it ultimately loses both a bit of steam and focus. It kicks off promisingly with Eric Kupper's sensual "Auora" and Peyton's "I Rise," one of the few house tracks on this set with a male vocal. But some other selections don't work, such as a flat cover of 808 State's "Pacific" and Max Sedgeley's "Happy," which isn't even house. Warts and all, though, "Beach House 04.04" is far from a misfire. The first disc is a winner, while the second disc is split between interesting jams and filler cuts. ...
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After Dark: New York City / Various
by Various Artists | MusicPrice: $15.90 to $20.98 Compare PricesApril 30, 2007
House music from the city that never sleeps
Pros: Sizzling soulful house with a New York theme
Cons: Hardly any
The formula is this: two DJs from New York deliver a mix of deep house on two discs, one by Jon Cutler and the other by Osunlade. Both are deep excursions of vocal house with a soulful edge that's best suited for late night listening. On Cutler's disc, you're gonna find noteworthy tracks like his own "You're Not Alone," Johnny D and Nicky P's "Johnick Fire," and Scott Wozniak's "Wake Up My Life" which serve as the highlights. Osunlade's disc has a more chilled vibe, with laidback cuts such as the Latin-lite fare of "Cafe Sol" by Alistar Calling, Tortured Soul's "I Might Do Something," and "Remember" by The Moves. But the pace does pick up later in the disc with more aggressive numbers like Soul Vision's kicking "Don't Hold Back." All in all, there's nothing earth-shattering on this disc, and many househeads will recognize familiar ground. But "AfterDark NewYorkCity" is good enough to rise above the average. ...
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February 22, 2007
House music compilation from DJ Louie Vega
Pros: Percussion-heavy, laid back house
Cons: Hardly any
For the last decade and a half, Louie Vega (along with MAW partner Kenny "Dope" Gonzalez) has been gracing dance floors with some innovative and irresistible house rhythms. Admittedly, his style requires some getting used to. Some folks complain that his approach is too mellow, but if you are able to accept Vega on his own terms, then you'll most likely appreciate "Elements of Life." This disc is a classy hodgepodge of chilled house, spicy Latin/African rhythms, and crisp beats that are perfect for that Saturday evening get-together or for just mellowing out at home. Favorites are the percussion-heavy "Brand New Day," the Brazilian swagger of "Nos Vida" and "Ma Mi Mama," the killer interlude "Summer Night in Spanish Harlem" (some nice work on the congas and percussion, here), and the breezy closer "Mozalounge." Truthfully, there isn't anything here you haven't already heard before, and the typical Vega fan can more or less predict the direction of the album. But it's nice to see Louie fuse Brazilian/African rhythms, disco, and electronica on record so seamlessly as he does here. ...
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February 20, 2007
Cafe lounge with an international twist.
Pros: A collection of laid back grooves compiled by Thievery Corporation
Cons: A tough sell for many mainstream listeners.
Rob Garza and Eric Hilton dig into their music collection (a rather eclectic one, apparently), and throw together 20 tracks for "The Outernational Sound," a gumbo pot of mellowed out grooves that will satisfy any set of tastebuds. The range of textures and moods runs all over the globe, from Indian influences ("Mathar" by Indian Vibes), old-school American funk (Major Force's "Re-return of the Original Artform"), Latin grooves ("Simbarere" by Antonio Carlos Jocafi), as well as chilled cafe lounge, African rhythms, and a dash of Asian influences. There's also an interesting cover of the Beatles' "Within You Without You" by the Alan Lorber Orchestra, the jazzy "Play it Cool," and Block 16's "Slow Hot Wind." TC wouldn't do a compilation of this nature without promoting their own material, so we have a reggae remix of "The Richest Man in Babylon," the title track of their must-have 2002 album. At times, however, the collection gets a bit too eclectic and some of the songs don't mesh well together on the same album, but this is overall a satisfying collection expertly compiled by the undisputed masters of cafe cool. ...
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January 31, 2007
Mariah - remixed.
Pros: A double disc sample of Mariah's remixes.
Cons: A few favorites are missing.
I wouldn't classify myself as a diehard fan of Mariah Carey, but this much is certain: she usually releases some pretty impressive remixes. "The Remixes" doesn't boast any new material: it's an unmixed compilation of previously released club anthems that cover her entire career at Sony. Most of the tracks appear in their full length version and are divided between 2 discs: one is house music and another is hip hop. Maybe it's because I'm biased towards house music, but I found the first disc to be the more enjoyable of the two. David Morales near dominates this set with some impressive re-workings of cuts like "Dreamlover" and "Fantasy." I'm not a huge fan of the original versions of either of these songs, but Morales gives these cuts his own disco flavor to make you forget the banality of their lyrics. Disc two is for the hip hop heads, and there's enough good stuff on this disc to make it noteworthy. Some standouts include the remix of "My All," which segues into a remake of the Loose Ends classic "Stay Awhile," and "Thank God I Found You" more than liberally samples Keith Sweat's "Make it Last Forever." The disc closes with one of 2003's catchiest singles, "I Know What You Want" featuring Busta Rhymes. The 13 cuts on this disc are pretty enjoyable samples of radio-friendly hip hop, although not all are remixes. "Sweetheart" (with Jermaine Dupri) and "Crybaby" (with Snoop Dogg) both appear in their original versions. I didn't seem to mind that, for they blend in with the rest of the other tracks nicely. While "The Remixes" doesn't really present anything new, it's a pretty good compilation of Mariah's club hits. ...
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January 30, 2007
Depeche Mode onstage
Pros: Solid live album from the Mode
Cons: Biased listeners may scoff at a live album from a synthpop group
It would be easy to laugh contemptuously at the thought of a synth pop act releasing a live album (a double one, at that), but Depeche Mode have done so and pulled it off quite well. "101" is a recording of their famous concert at Pasadena, which elevated them to a full-blown live act capable of selling out at huge American venues. Rock purists will complain that these performances are too clean and efficient, but that's the reason why "101" works. Unlike other rock live albums, there's hardly any off-key singing or shrill, distracting noises. The Mode pulls off the recording like seasoned pros. I really liked the live rendition of the love ballad "Somebody," and the single "Strangelove" loses none of the bite of the original studio recording. Dave Gahan really gets the crowd roused during "Just Can't Get Enough" and "Question of Time," two energetic, upbeat numbers. But the CD hits its high point with their hit "Everything Counts," which eventually was released as a single. Quite frankly, I've heard better live albums, but "101" is sufficient evidence that electronic acts can hold their own on the stage just as well as their rock peers. ...
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January 30, 2007
A "Technique" that works
Pros: A solid dance-oriented album from New Order
Cons: A bit dated in production, but it still packs a solid punch
1989's "Technique" may not be New Order's best album, but it's easily their most accessible release. Alternating between hook-infested guitar pop and perky disco, "Technique" finds New Order experimenting with acid house on the bouncy first single "Fine Time." In that song, singer Bernard Summer tries to shake off a persistent lover who's "much too young to mess around" with him. Elsewhere, there's the energetic rush of "Round and Round," the guitar-flavored "Run" and "Dream Attack" and the disco stomp of "Vanishing Point." All the ingredietns of a New Order album are here: Peter Hook's rubbery bass, Bernard Summer's spoken child vocals, and synths that occaisonally sound 1980s. While "Brotherhood" and "Low-Life" are at present my two favorite New Order releases, "Technique" is a solid CD that deserved its gold status in the US. ...
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The CD that keeps on "Give"-ing
Pros: Hip sophomore effort from promising trio.
Cons: A couple filler tracks, but they don't spoil the fun.
The Bad Plus's Sony debut, "These Are the Vistas," twisted the rules of jazz even further by adding a few rock touches and performing admirable covers of Nirvana, Blondie and Apex Twin. It's a hard formula to improve on, and they don't exactly do that on their solid followup "Give." Here, the trio of Reid Anderson (bass), Ethan Iverson (piano), and David King (drums) remains quite faithful to the formula that made their predecessor a success. We have the laid-back feel of "1979 Semi-Finalist," a touch of Latin flavor on "Cheney Pinata," and the elegant "And Here We Test Our Powers of Observation." They're slices of delectable jazz that pay respect to their elders (Miles Davis, Dave Brubeck) while remaining modern and fresh. But the track that made me stop everything is their creative rendition of Black Sabbath's "Iron Man," which is nearly worth the price of this whole CD. They do a cover that's faithful to the mood of the original while injecting their own flavor, and it's sure to please jazz lovers and Sabbath fans alike. This CD also has an enhanced portion that will take you to their website, where you can read updates, download stuff, and watch live performances (best viewed with a broadband connection). While "Give" may lack some of the unexpected punch of "These Are the Vistas," it's a completely likable effort that dodges the sophomore slump. ...