Customer Reviews

Back to Mine

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

If we were to take the word of the Back to Mine series (that artists compile a set of chill-out songs that have inspired them)then this album would help us understand the enigma that is the ever-evolving group known as Morcheeba. The varying styles that encompass Morcheeba's first three albums are brought together into this album and it shows us just what the heck they are. There's a little touch of chemistry that each of these songs bring into the group and it is readily apparent to observant fans. So this compilation should indeed please them.
However, would this album turn the heads of those who have not heard of Back to Mine, or for that matter, Morcheeba? In this reviewer's opinion, yes it would. This compilation is, above all, a chill-out album. The term "chill-out" may traverse many genres, from trip-hop to lounge to progressive rock. Here, Morcheeba has brought together a bunch of tracks easy to appreciate and digest even for the chill-out uninitiated and has somehow touched several genres (which may explain the style swing between the group's previous albums).
Nevertheless, it is very easy to find a better compilation. Still, this album has Morcheeba's flair all over it and is an interesting look into the group's tastes. Perhaps it would be wise to try before you buy.

Hats off to Morcheeba for daring to be original. The music featured on this set is just that -- singular, wild, far-flung, and mostly groovy. But also odd. A few of these pieces seem to be included more for their novelty than their quality. A couple of tracks downright suck.

Unlike Nick Warren or Danny Tenaglia's "Back to Mine" efforts, for example, this one is disjointed and lacks elegance and finesse. The transitions are fairly haphazard too -- not carefully thought-out and well-crafted. As a DJ myself, I was inspired more by the selection of tunes than the brilliance of the mix. As a listener, I was disappointed in the uneven quality of the songs.

On the other hand, Annette Peacock is fabulous, and Alice Russell (formerly of The Chimes) is first-rate. The Taj Mahal classic still rocks. And Dr. John blows my mind...

My advice: Of all the "Back to Mine" albums, buy this one last -- long after you have savored Groove Armada and EBTG's timeless and brilliant mixes. Compared with those, this is at best second-rate.

This album comes as part of the now-famous "Back to Mine" series, which in the past has highlighted works and inspiration for artists ranging from Groove Armada and Faithless, to (most recently) Everything But The Girl.

This album combines some deep and sometimes rare influences on the work of Morcheeba that range from blues (Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya Ya) to Rap, Trip Hop and some least expected rhythms (how about bossanova?), considering we're talking about Morcheeba here.

The true beauty of this album is dual: it allows you to peek inside the brain and heart of Morcheeba, as to what are some of the sources of their inspiration. But most important was for me that it unleashed for me some fascinating artists, both old (such as David McCallum, lounge-style "The Edge") and new (such as Southern Gothic singer/songwriter Jim White -"Still Waters"); and it brilliantly mixes some contemporary material (such as Missin' Linx's "What It Is") with stuff brought out of closet like Taj Mahal's "Chevrolet."

You really believe Morcheeba, Everything But The Girl, Faithless, Groove Armada, Tenaglia, Seaman, Nick Warren and whoever I forgot decided - sometimes within a couple of months of each other - to title their separate albums Back To Mine?? Ummm...Back To Mine is a series. Basically, artists select a bunch of grooves to which they'd like to chill. Infrequently, they'll throw a couple of their own songs on there, but mostly it's just stuff they like to hear. Or so the promos say.
As the latest installement in that series, Morcheeba's selection is great; a well-mixed blend of beat-heavy bluesy stuff and smooth hip-hop. Sad to say, but in my opinion it blows Morcheeba's last album (which I thought was weak, pop-drenched drivel) out of the water. Maybe they should take a cue from the stuff they listen to. Anyway, I come not to bury, but to praise. Imaginative selections, smooth mixing, and an all-around great post-club/early morning chillout album. This Back To Mine episode is worth about four to four-and-a-half stars. Nice one from Morcheeba.

This is Certainly NOT a Morcheeba album!!
Unfortunately you people out there who thought it is Morcheeba's creation got disappointed! But if you look at this CD as it should be - a mix of inspiring tracks that was MIXED by Morcheeba, you would have find it great compilation.

It is a funky down-beat chill-out mix with some brilliant tracks: 'Pony' by Annette Peacock (1) sets you in the right mood, 'Baby Let's Dance Together' (10) and 'Baby' (14) are sweet funky old-time tracks and 'Life's Little Tragedy' (15) is a great country finish and real ear candy.

Great styles mixing, soul, hip-hop, funky and country creates the perfect compilation and the most creative and innovative of all ::Back to Mine:: series mixes.

Must have CD for Morcheeba lovers and good music appreciators!

this album really let me down, my high expectations being set by the faithless and the everything but the girl back to mine discs, which are excellent. there is no flow to the tracks, they are disjointed and barely, if at all mixed into one another. not good for relaxing to. maybe interesting if you're a morcheeba freak and want to know what they listen to, but as a continuous album, it seems like very little thought was put into compiling the songs.
try everything but the girl or faithless back to mine discs if you want an album for some nice evening, dinner with a date, etc... music.

If you are anything like myself, and feel like slicing your wrist after listening to more than two songs in a row on any Morcheeba album then take this compilation for a spin. I stayed away from it for years after its release for two reasons. It had Morcheeba on the front cover, and the Back to Mine Series is very unpredictable. Their albums are usually a stong hit or miss for my electronica tastes and the artist(s) featured in the mix has no correlation to whether I end up liking a particular Back to Mine or not. Definitely keeps you guessing.

Anyhow, I picked up a copy of this album and quickly placed it in the hit pile for Back to Mine compilations. A great set of eclectic tracks that gel very well together. Full of cool tracks that make me groove verus suicidal!

4/5 stars.

'back to mine' is a series in which dj's from around the world play downtempo tracks to signify 'ambience' or to enhance an after-club or post club outting.

no one knows downtempo more than three cats from morcheeba. at one point they defined downtempo and trip-hop for others to follow. although, i was not overtly impressed with their last release, back to mine by morcheeba brings them closer to home at what they do best... times to chill and in a relaxed groove.

this is not an official morcheeba outing. 1 of the 3 members basically compiled and hand-picked 'their' favorite post dance-floor fillers... w/ classic and subdued tracks to augment the perfect end to a perfect evening... light one up and prepare to 'inhale deeply'......

If you've gotten this far, I'm assuming a lot here - that you're already famaliar with the BACK TO MINE series. The one where currently hip recording artist take their turn at spinning their favorite downtempo, post club, early in the AM hit influences. Having been a big fan since the get-go, I've the whole family of disc. Where does Morcheeba fit in? Well, to answer that question - they don't. Actually, they kind of redefine the edge. They like the bass as bottom as witnessed by opening cuts "Pony" by Annette Peacock and "On The Rhodes Again" by your's truly - Morcheeba. Dr. John's "Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya Ya" and Jim White's "Still Water" both sound like some down south, delta crying ballads - the essence of which is heart stirring. New Kingdom's "Chill Thrills" is like waking up after a night of reveling took it's personal toll. The price paid? High. Continue this carnival ride on Small World's "Dual Tone". If Morcheeba dispaly any particular trait in their choices, they seem to have a propensity for things seedy - the underbelly per say as apparent on The Giant's "Hidden Crate" and thematic "The Edge" by David McCallum. 70's soul artist Taj Mahal's "Chevrolet" and Plus' "Put Everything Together" setup the urban breaks on "What It Is" by Missin' Link. The journey and lessons are almost complete by the bossa nova "Baby" by Os Mutantes. "Life's Little Tragedy" by Lambchop wrap up on a humorist tone as the train pulls into the station. Did I learn something traveling these railway venues of American soundscape? Perhaps. Is it leftfield in nature? Most defenitely. Recommmend to others? Yes, if you see the open road as a traveler, not a tourist. If you have a procivity for different, I'd say "Carry on friend, you're right at home". If this album has a distictive flavor, it would have to be - soul food. Fried chicken, grits, greens, and gray. Dig in. Finger licking good.

love this cd by morcheeba. the people who gave it bad reviews should clean their ears out and get their narrow minded heads out of their own anus. by the way the annette peackock song hated by one of the clowns who reviewed this is very cool. the two best and most diverse cd's in the back to mine series, this one and the new order one are the ones that always get bashed by the ignorant amazon reviewers. i say, ignore the rest of the series and pick up the aforementioned two.