Customer Reviews

Bare Essentials: Volume Two [Regular Edition]

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Bare Essentials Volume 2 follows up the initial 1999 release from Naked Music, home of delectable deep house and stylishly nude slip covers. With more artists in tow this time, BE2 offers a much broader mix of previously unreleased material and new tunes to tantalize, if a bit lacking in breakout hits.

Surprisingly, the bigger names folks are familiar with (Blue Six, Miguel Migs) supply auto-pilot efforts that belies their talent, while soulful staple Lisa Shaw hits ("Visions") and misses ("Let It Ride"). The standouts are Aquanote's "Nowhere," a mellowed Heatwave Mix pushing the guitar backed Zoe Ellis line "I can tell that our love is going nowhere without you" to somber near-classic status. Likewise, Arvid featuring Ernestos livens with jazz drums for a beautifully realized song, and Kaskade/Quant's festive "Brighter Day," breathy vocals by Josyln, add pep and beach house atmosphere. A stripped down Petappusher (Miguel Migs) offers a serene closer, with flute, on "Reply on Me."

Some Minor misses pop up, primarily Central Living's simplistic lyrics and uneasy (as in, what where they thinking) bass to the batch on "Inside." A shame too, that just one instrumental made the cut (Weekender).

Regardless, the efforts here are impeccably produced; this crew knows their way around a studio. Bare Essentials 2 spins a bit too smooth to gain your attention; call it enjoyable then, just not essential. 3/5

NOTE: Exclusive to Amazon.com is an eight track 45-minute bonus CD packaged in a cardboard sleeve. Dropping the mellow vibes for a welcome return to the dance floor, this mixed offering combines a few exclusives, material from other Naked comps, and older tracks given an umpteenth remix to spruce them up a bit. Far more than just a tossed-in freebie, this is a bopping lil' set in it's own right; Satin Soul adds sprightly keyboard with punchy drums on a welcome revisit to "Music & Wine," a tasty set-up to Kaskade/Quant's festive "Brighter Day," breathy vocals by Josyln. Add quality work from Gaelle via Bugs in the Attic, and energetic beats by Project 4 (a catchy gem that peaks the hour), for a disc that heartily upstages its companion. How's that for essential? 4/5

This collection takes you to the club. Downtempo, Deep House, Uplifting, relaxing, Mellow Vocals (Lisa Shaw ect.) These are words that best describes this CD. If Calgon takes you away, this is the Soundtrack.

Yo, they mixed the hell out of this mix. Something told me to visit this used/new store in the mall tonight and LOW AND BEHOLD I find Bare Essentials 2. Something that's been sitting in my saved cart for a year. It didn't let me down either, Every song flows nicely into the next and the remixes and mixes are really grooveable.. Pick this up for a nice moonlight drive on the highway or through any city. Just that feel good after 12 CD right here!

THIS ALBUM BLEW ME AWAY. COMING FROM NEW YORK CITY AND MOVING SOUTH,IT WAS HARD TO FIND MUSIC OF THIS CALIBER. THE MIX OF SENSUALITY AND CLUB IS UNBELIEVABLE. I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS ALBUM TO EVERYONE WHO IS READY FOR THIS MUSIC. JUST BUY THE ALBUM AND SIT BACK AND RELAX, YOU WILL SEE WHAT I MEAN.

This is a wonderful cd. I love it!! I just purchased it today and am listening to it as I type. I honestly don't have a favorite...I like them ALL. If you like loungy jazz music...blue 6, Carte blanche, this is it for ya...hmm...it's like a housier (if that's a word) blue six cd. I can see myself having a hip dinner party and playing this cd as the guests arrive. This is the best of the bunch IMO...really nice and I know you'd enjoy it...I'm loving Lisa Shaw (as usual), miguel migs, aquanote, and my favorite tracks are #2 and #5....whew...NAKED FOREVER!!!