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review by Bill Binkelman What's nice about a CD like Chillounge is you know exactly what you're gonna get if you're at all savvy about compilations like this one from Intentcity: smooth yet highly polished electronica-laced synths, lots of trippy sensual beats, sultry sexy vocals (almost uniformly female and sometimes in other languages, notably French or from other European countries), and a smattering of global influences, including Latin, Mediterranean, Middle East and maybe Asian. All that said, these compilations can range from solid to dreadful. Chillounge sits in the upper range of that spectrum, owing to the solid chill-out music that fills most of the twelve tracks. Surprisingly, there is more variety than you might expect on the CD, from the dreamy synthy trip-pop of the opening "Anything With You" (by Hilton FM) which offers up some tasty late night sax along with the beats and smooth synths as well as one of the perkier yet still smoky female vocals on the CD (by Anne Rasmussen) to the bossa nova-meets-churning fusion of Barriere's "Sonhando Ipanema" to the shuffling rhythms, funky synths, mellow organ riffs, and late night lounge vocals on Mysteria's "After the Rain" to the dubby yet cinematic "Plaza Suite" from The Essence. Most of the tracks here feature vocals (not wordless but with recognizable lyrics). All the singers are in fine voice and truthfully, this is the kind of music where the words (while not purposely mundane or cliché) are less important than integrating the singer seamlessly with the music, which happens almost universally on this release. Govinda's "Delicate Poison" features only sparse chant-type vocals amidst the dub beats and tropical bell tones number, and "Delight" by Jasmon is also primarily concerned with its downtempo rhythm, echoed piano and island-flavored electronica. Some cuts, while well done, are less successful in fitting in here, such as the Ikarus' funkfest "Mr. Brown" which has a stronger rhythm and blues orientation than anything else (plus the male vocals, while not poorly done, just stand out so dramatically among all the breathy women on the recording. Parts of "Expand Your Mind" by No Noise sound way too much like a porn-film soundtrack gone slightly amuck, although the female vocals help straighten out things out (no pun intended) eventually, although the track still has way too much of a libidinous injection motif for me. When it sticks to the more delicate and lighter chill-out electronica, such as the ethereal Radiophonic's "Last Thing I Do," Chillounge works very well at establishing a mellow atmosphere, well-suited to the clinking of ice cubes in a dimly-lit room during the wee hours of the morning, as lovers navigate the waters of "Will we or won't we?" For me, there is enough of that kind of magic to recommend the disc. It's not perfect, but by judiciously programming out the few duds here, you'll have a pleasant, if unspectacular, listening experience. |
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