Customer Reviews

Bargrooves: Cosmopolitan

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'm new to this whole style of music--I bought this disc because I heard it playing in a cafe, liked it, and asked the waiter what it was. I'm kind of lost with a lot of the terminology, but I guess this is "deep house". I listen mostly to jazz but I have a hard time playing it as background music--I always stop what I'm doing to listen to the music, so I never get anything done! And "smooth jazz" seems so bland and tired. The music on the Bargrooves discs is mellow but energetic, it has a nice jazzy feel (love that Fender Rhodes piano) but has dance grooves that are good enough to jump into without being overbearing. It's perfect music for just about anything--driving, cooking, entertaining--because it adds a nice energy to everything while still blending in. I'm definitely going to pick up some of the other Bargrooves collections and start exploring other deep house discs.

Cosmopolitan is an absolute winner. With the tracks so perfectly mixed and transitioned, you will soon forget about everything but this great mix of music. If you own any of the other bargrooves compilations then you know what I am talking about, as this one is no different. Continually upbeat you can't help but move your feet. Play this at a party and you will have a hard time getting people to stop moving. Cosmopolitan is another testament of Ben's taste for great house music.

I've always hesitated buying Bargrooves if Miguel Migs isn't on the line-up. This one is different. My first time to get Bargrooves without Mr. Migs. I thought...hmm...let me try this. I made the right choice. CD1 is FANTASTIC. There's a slow start on the first cut then it actually picks up on the third song. From then on...everything went house party style. Deep house here. Very West Coast selection. It's good fun. Buy it.

I'm new to this whole style of music--I bought this disc because I heard it playing in a cafe, liked it, and asked the waiter what it was. I'm kind of lost with a lot of the terminology, but I guess this is "deep house". I listen mostly to jazz but I have a hard time playing it as background music--I always stop what I'm doing to listen to the music, so I never get anything done! And "smooth jazz" seems so bland and tired. The music on the Bargrooves discs is mellow but energetic, it has a nice jazzy feel (love that Fender Rhodes piano) but has dance grooves that are good enough to jump into without being overbearing. It's perfect music for just about anything--driving, cooking, entertaining--because it adds a nice energy to everything while still blending in. I'm definitely going to pick up some of the other Bargrooves collections and start exploring other deep house discs.

This is a nice set of house music. The first cd is compiled and mixed by Ben Sowton and the songs are uplifting and warm. I don't skip any of them! The second disc is much more jazz influenced but still great house nonetheless. It was compiled by Rollercone. Overall a great house compilation!

This was my introduction to the Bargrooves series and it's a nice compilation. I've purchased 10 more since listening to this one. Joy and Feels So Right make my body move and my head bobble. There isn't a dog in the house. Ben Sowton has laid a fine set of tracks on CD1.
Rollercone follows up with a nice mix that starts with a little Parisian flavor that takes me to the other side of the ocean and fills me with images of a smoke filled room where everyone's movin' and groovin'. Look is a pleasant surprise - it quickly became a favorite. Patchworks, Orestt Partridge and Absolut Rollercone - is a perfect trio of mixes to end CD2.

This 2-CD set seems to follow the usual Bargooves tradition. The first disk, compiled by Ben Sowton, is a definite keeper with a really good selection of tracks. However, the second disk is, with one or two exceptions, a collection of rather mediocre tracks compiled (as usual) by a guest DJ of lesser ability.

It probably just comes down to personal taste, but I cannot help thinking that Ben Sowton would do better by simply DJ'ing both disks himself. Its nice of Ben to give others an opportunity, but in the Bargrooves series it usually detracts from the quality of the overall set.

So, worth the price and the 4-star rating for the first disk alone, but as usual the second disk is (with one or two exceptions) merely filler.

If you are the sort who likes hard driving techno/house/dance, perhaps you better had keep shopping because this particular compilation is more like ultra modern jazz meets MUZAK, combined with some techno. This may be your groove, and I am not knocking anybody.
But it may take a few shots before you can really appreciate the background, Bar Grooves style or City Lounge

From the first disc, the music grabs you into a continuous warm beat that is beautifully kept alive throughout each track. I did not know any of the songs but the mix made me sway from start to end.

The second disc is mixed by Rollercone ("How insensitive") and is more Jazzy and organic than the first one for those who like it that way. All in all, a great CD. Press play and forget about it. Great party starter.