Reviews Written by Gugumba
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September 10, 2005
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July 5, 2004
Ecstacy is one with Jazz
1 of 1 Yahoo! Users found this review helpfulPros: beautiful and lushious
Cons: None
The fourth Jazzmasters release is an extention of the third, by encorporating the trancey moodscapes with hypnotic riffs and grooves, and not to mention the always fantastic vocals. And just as usual, this release carries on the vibe that was the beginning of the entire series. Paul Hardcastle is a musical genius and by far one of the greatest contemporary songwriters and Jazz musicians in the world of music.
Ben. ... -
July 5, 2004
The mood carries on
Pros: Lush and mellow
Cons: None
The third installment of the Jazzmasters series is a grand completion of a trio of great Jazz. This album is just as mood-evoking and gripping as the first two. The greatest thing about this album is that it is more trancey and creates a wider moodscape that the previous releases and is also a bit more exotic.
Ben. ... -
July 5, 2004
Another great album
Pros: Moving, Soulful, Organic, Ethereal
Cons: Not as mood gripping as the first
The second entry to the Jazzmasters collection is a great one, indeed. This second release is an extension of the first with the same great vocals and the same awesome ethereal and intoxicating vibe. Some of the songs do not encompass that straight-on mood injection as gracefully or gripping as the debut but the groove is still ever-present and the lyrics are top notch. A good thing about this album is that it is particularly mellow and ethereal and still hanging on to the groove, creating a laid-back and very moving album.
Ben. ... -
July 5, 2004
Great Smooth Jazz
Pros: Soulful, moving, and powerful Jazz
Cons: None
The very first time that I heard the opening track to this album, I was entranced with it. This album is some of the best trancy, groovy, and soulful Jazz that I have heard and it really holds a special place to me. It is so easy to become intoxicated with this music. Great mood music!
Ben. ... -
December 25, 2003
A fantasy of ambient Jazz
Pros: Beautiful and hypnotic Jazz
Cons: Not enough of it!
Dancing Fantasy have always been known for their ambient, relaxing, and hypnotic as well as groovy Smooth Jazz. The duo behind the Fantasy are in a category of their own and continue to create soundscapes that help you to just escape. This album continues the philosphy, only this album sounds better than previous releases. They combine their signature sound with more ethnic and diverse instruments/sounds known to Jazz and New Age, yet the album still sounds oh, so familiar.
Peace,
Ben. ... -
December 22, 2003
Psychedelic and Alternative rock Gurus
Pros: Awesome melodies and beautiful melodies
Cons: Uneven sounds
This debut from North Carolina's alternative psychedelic band, Animal Bag showed the promising talent of exotic and alternative rock that could not be found too easily in a time when grunge filled the airwaves. Among the many neo-psychedelic bands, Animal Bag sounded different from all of the other kindred bands of the time. They had an essence of the flavorful origins of the 1960's psychedelic and folk scene and also encorporated the more ethnic sound of hand drums and the relaxing sounds of ocean waves to enhance certain parts of the album (note the opening track). They also used a mandolin to create eastern textures and solos (Mirrored Shades). On the other hand, they also had a heavier side and unfortunately the overall sound is a bit unbalanced, which can cause a bit of confusion in the overall style of the album as the sound becomes too diverse. There are none-the-less some great songs on the album and great talent. Their seond release "Offering" is much greater than the debut though, as the sound is fulfilling and the sound not too diverse... just right for the Alternative/Psychedelic layout.
Peace,
Ben. ... -
December 22, 2003
Exotic and tropical
Pros: exciting and renewing tropical flavored Smooth Jazz
Cons: Just not enough of it
Russ Freeman and crew really hit it off with this album after the magnificant Topaz in 1999. The Rippingtons have always been known for their extraordinary takes on album themes. Each album is unique in that each album has a sound that revolves around music and cultural themes from around the globe as the Rippngtons have traveled to each part of the world they have written about.
This time around, the band brings forth an exotic and tropical dose of fantasy as the mood brings about the beauty of the beach, the cool tropical breeze, and good vibes as they jam through the album, celebrating another wonderous theme. Relax, take in the mood, and be swept away by this exotic Smooth Jazz release!
Peace,
Ben. ... -
October 26, 2003
Braun reminiscence
Pros: Great original tracks
Cons: certain newer aspects abit unfitting
Braun's new album is a groovy collection of originals that reminisce the listener. It brings a splender to the ear to hear nice, smooth jazz that brings a smile to your face and a groove in your soul. After "Kisses in the Rain', Braun is still mastering the Smooth Jazz genre,and has added a few newer aspects to the groove, some not as fitting to his work, but none-the-less Braun captures some great work here.
Peace,
Ben.
the 16 year old. ... -
July 26, 2003
Among the Greatest
This is one of the greatest releases ever recorded by the band. From their trademark fast riffing to the flowing, hypnotic, essence of "mirage psychedelia" that they have perfected since "Oh,Me". There is also a more diverse instrument range on this album including exotic percussion and the sitar.
Peace,
Ben. ...
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God Shuffled His Feet
Pros: A great and focused album
Cons: Dismissed by many
This album almost stands as THE Crash Test Dummies album. Nearly all of the songs are memorable and classic CTD songs. The album has great guitar work, very nice keyboard textures, and great and heartfelt lyrics despite the fact that they were so easily dismissed as comical nonsense. The album tells a great story and shall remain a true gem of the '90's.
Ben. ...