Customer Reviews

Bebel Gilberto Remixed

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Ms. Gilberto's most recent, self-titled affair was a bit of a departure from her first album, 'Tanto Tempo'; it had more of a polished "pop bossa" emphasis as opposed to traditional bossanova stylings, and the album received mixed reviews from many critics and fans. A decent remix album of the songs from Tanto Tempo followed, and (as one probably would have guessed) we would also eventually have a remix album of Bebel's newest cd...which has finally arrived. Many of the remixes here were originally released on limited-run, import 12" singles (some sold out very quickly).

Once again, we have the cream of the nujazz/broken beat crop offering their takes on Bebel's tunes...but the difference here is that this time the remixes really show a marked improvement over the original songs.

Spiritual South's version of "Aganju" is a guaranteed floorfiller, for example. The other mixes on the CD fare just as well, although some are a bit more sublime. The bonus disc has 6 songs: 3 dub mixes and 3 remixes (including a John Beltran rework!). Kudos to Six Degrees for giving the listener a complete remix package...and you can't beat the price, either: 2 discs, 29 songs, for under $10!

I listened to the samples on Amazon.com and I also listened to the samples of the original Bebel Gilberto album. I must say that these remixes add a certain flavor and dimension to the songs on the orignal album. I am glad I purchased this album first as, I am not inclined to purchase the original one and if I had purchased the original first, I would have likely not given the Remixes a chance. I am not saying that the self titled Bebel Gilberto is not purchase-worthy. Listening to the samples, I have decided that it is a little too slow moving and one dimensional for my taste. But, the remixes will find itself in heavy rotation in my cd player. It is perfect for relaxing and having intimate moments with certain someones. I urge everyone to purchase this cd.

Won't get into the history of Bebel - I think that's known. This is her remix project, released late last spring/summer, of her self-titled album from 2004. It's strange but I really enjoyed her first album, "Tanto Tempo" but felt that her remix album from that was a bit off. Meanwhile, it's just the opposite with "Bebel Gilberto" and it's remix album.

Maybe that's because of some ofthe artists that are remixing the cuts? You have deep house guru DJ Spinna remaking Ceu Distante, giving it a steady beat and cosmic feel. What more to expect from the man who's own remix of Ananda Project's "ICU" spawned a Trevor Francis re-edit! Tom Middleton gives some live to "Simplesmente" with a broken beat and Nuspirit Helsinki had a pretty neat remake of "Winter", although with a more clubby feel than what I'm used to from them. Other good mixes included Thievery Corporation's take on "Cada Beijo" and I really enjoyed Stuhr's take on Jabuticaba. But the highlight remix on this album was easily Latin Project's version of "Aganju". It even hit sort of a main-stream vibe as I heard it quite often on Emerson radio... a bit too much, I might add! But it really is a terrific remake - MUCH better than the original to me. Meanwhile disc two on this album is a solid seamless mix although I didn't think it was earth shattering. It was still cool though to get the John Beltran track as some of the songs on the second disc are only available on 12" otherwise. Oh - for the person that didn't see the second disc, not sure if this will work, but mine was in the middle of the disc. So open it upcompletely so you have the three squares... one with track info for cuts 1-8 on the left, the disc 1 on the right, and cuts 9-13 in the middle. It's in that middle section. However... if it is missing... just go to Six Degrees Records or send them an email. Not all of these were released though as double discs.

And that's honestly how I felt about this album. Granted, not all of the remixes got me - some were a bit dull to be honest. And sometimes a bit of charm is lost from the originals when they're done. But this is defintely an exception in that regard. My biggest criticism of "Bebel Gilberto" was that the album was lacking energy and life, and a snap to the tunes but the remix project here does a pretty good job of capturing some of this. If you like this, you may also like Rosalia De Souza's remix project which was fantastic. Finally... rumor has it Bebel Gilberto's working on her third album right now in London so keep a look out for more news on that one come late 06 or mid 2007.

This album provides some of the smoothest, most soothing music I've heard in a long time. Don't get me wrong - it's not even close to boring! Great background music for a cocktail or dinner party.

I suppose I've come to Bebel Gilberto's music in a "bass-ackwards" way, as this is the first CD of her music I've heard in its entirety. She's the girl with the perfect genes from the legendary Gilberto musical family, and what I've heard of her original recordings are silky, sultry and accomplished. As with other remix albums (like the Verve Remixed series and the Afro-Celt Sound System's "Pod" remix collection), to an extent this is as good as the source material, and some of the remixes really stand out above the rest. Thievery Corporation's version of "Cada Beijo" is easily my favorite, and they give it their distinctive style while respecting the original. Latin Project's take on "Aganju" is likewise a tasty arrangement. On the other hand, I found Yam Who?'s version of "Baby" annoying redundant. The bonus CD is a nice plus, although it's comprised of alternate takes of six of the ten tracks on the main CD, and some are not that different. All in all, it's a pretty decent remix, though as I've said before with this tyoe of project, it makes me want to listen to the original source material. And that's not a bad thing.

I've been listening to Bebel Gilberto since her first record came out around 2000 and I've bought all her albums since. If you look at the above equation you should get a pretty good idea of what this record is all about. Most tracks are very danceable and a few are more ambient. Some of the included tracks are a little weak, which I would have given 4 stars, but since the bonus disc brings the track total to 19 (with 4 impressive mixes of Aganjú) I'm giving it 5. If you are a fan of modern bossa nova, electronic/dance music, or really hot sounding female singers, you will like this.

Since "Tanto Tempo Remixes" had some nice interpretations of songs from Bebel's first album, it make sense that there's another collection of remixes from her latest album. This time, Six Degrees Records has even upped the ante - lowering the price (wise move for remix collections) and including a bonus CD with 6 additional mixes). Since Amazon doesn't list the 6 additional mixes, here they are:

1) Aganju (John Beltran Mix)

2) Simplesmente (Tom Middleton Balearic Mix)

3) Baby (Yam Who? Dub Mix)

4) Aganju (Spiritual South Bontempi Repercussion)

5) Winter (Nuspirit Helsinki Dub)

6) All Around (Bombay Dub Orchestra Mix)

For me, the best part of this mix CD is the inclusion of 4 (count em', 4) mixes of the best song from 2004, "Aganju." The ones from Latin Project and Spiritual South move you to the dancefloor, while the John Beltran mix has great ambient qualities. In general, some of the bonus mixes are even better than the ones on the main disc (the remixes of Tom Middleton and Nuspirit Helsinki come to mind). Since the second CD is only available on the initial pressing, you'd be wise to buy this now, before you're kicking yourself for the rest of the year!

I discovered Bebel Gilberto on the Six Feet Under, Part 2 compilation. Thank goodness someone thought to include "Aganju" because it has exposed me to some of the finest music I've ever heard. I was a big fan of Sergio Mendes and Brasil '66 when I was younger so Bebel Gilberto is like coming home. I know I'm not "reviewing" it except to say if you love interesting music and a wonderful clear voice, "Remixed" is for you.

I love this cd so much. Every mix is REALLY good.

The standouts are :

Winter (Nuspitir Helsinki Mix)

Simplesmente (Tom Middleton Mix)

Baby (Yam Who Mix)

Aganju (Spiritual South Rub)

River Song (Grant Nelson Mix)

O Caminho (Guy Sigworth Mix)

All the mixes have a different feel and none are the same. The Bonus disc is SO worth it. The Dub of Winter is just sublime. I love the instrumental.

I am going to buy the original version of the "Bebel Gilberto" album to see how much the songs have been changed.

It's definately different from what our American "remixes" are like-- which is kind of what I was expecting-- but I do like it. Great musician.