Customer Reviews

Best of Strange Cargo

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I visited a local record store about 4 years ago, and stumbled upon the works of William Orbit. I liked his music so much, that I bought a used copy of it, which was being played in the store. The sales clerk had been playing it in the store, because he was a huge William Orbit fan. If you're into elctronic, synth-pop music...then this is the album for you.

"The Best of Strange Cargos" was one of the first techno CDs I ever bought. I've listened to a lot of Depeche Mode, Erasure and New Order, before I ever heard of William Orbit. His work is "mind-blowing." It's so well-structured and complex. (I wish he got more airplay on the radio.)

I like to refer to him as "The Master of the Electronic Music Soundscape," whose musical style can be compared to the likes of Peter Gabriel: with the "ethereal, trance-like approach" to some of his music. I'm pleased with the composition of the matierial.
He's so brilliant.

I enjoyed listening to Madonna's album "Ray of Light" in which William brought to the surface, his dynamic-sequencing of "electronic-riffs" and "drum & bass." It's too bad, he didn't do very much work on Madonna's follow up album "Music." He has this special-way of captivating the listener with each song on the album.

"Water From A Vine Leaf" transports you on this magical journey through space and time, (using your imagination) with the haunting-vocals of Beth Orton, and the beautiful sound-layering techniques; it starts-out real mellow - and then all of a sudden - it blows you away with it's mystical charm.

"Dark Eyed Kid" has got some of the best bass-lines I've ever heard.

"Via Caliente" has this sort of spanish-style twang to the song; it's so relaxing.

This is like listening to Barry White with the deep, resonant-sounding voice of Divine Bashim on "Time To Get Wize."

I could go on and on about this artist's music; filling up a couple pages. You have to take a listen to all of the other songs to appreciate the skillful-mastery and song-writing efforts put into this great compilation. I give this 5 stars for a job well done.

It's techno, yes, but not the monotonous, as in repetitously dull, rhythms that you so often associate with techno. Water from a Vine Leaf is my favorite track with haunting female vocals. Definitely listen to it loud, in the car, with the windows rolled up...

I first became familiar with William Orbit's name when he produced one of my personal favorite Madonna cds "Ray of Light". His experimental production style breathed new life into Madonna's music. Although I was disappointed that he only produced a couple of tracks on the follow up to "Ray of Light" for Madonna, I still enjoyed what he could bring to the table for the Queen of Pop as a producer. As a solo artist, "Pieces in a Modern Style" was my first William Orbit cd. His interpretations of various baroque classics were simply breathtaking, especially his interpretation of Samuel Barber's "Adagio For Strings". I briefly owned the first volume of "Strange Cargos" but to be honest, I wasn't really wild about it and eventually sold it a couple of years ago. I recently decided that I needed to hear what Orbit has done as an artist because it has been awhile since I have heard anything from him as an artist (not as a producer). I recently found a used copy of "The Best of Strange Cargos" and of course I bought it right away. Compared to "Pieces in a Modern Style", Orbit's work on the "Strange Cargos" series isn't nearly as mellow and downtempo. This is something I would hear from legendary techno acts The Orb and Orbital. I found "The Best of Strange Cargos" quite compelling to say the very least. I particularly enjoyed "Water From a Vine Leaf", with vocals from Beth Orton. A stunning masterpiece IMO. Just when the listener is completely relaxed while listening to this cd, in comes a rude awakening with the aggressive guitars and the sounds of broken glass on "Fire and Mercy". I enjoyed "The Best of Strange Cargos" a lot. I am anxiously waiting to hear more music from William Orbit as an artist.

If you are going to buy a William Orbit CD - this should be the one.

It covers his talents well...very relaxing, and moving.

I would also recommend looking into Madonna's 'Ray of Light' if you like the best of William Orbit.

His style doesn't change often, which is his one draw back - so if you have this CD, in my opinion, you have just about all of them...

I teach Spinning at several gyms in the Los Angeles area, and, without exception, the cuts I use from this album during my classes are the students' favorites. Orbit has great musical taste which extends beyond good rhythm. His melodies are beautiful and moving, and are carried along by the drum and bass beat, not overwhelmed by it. This is great music for aerobic classes, Spinning, driving, even cleaning the house. True lifestyle soundtrack music.

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I had previously listened to SC III and SC I...so was very delighted to hear all the great hits on this release. However...if you havent picked up "Strange Cargo:Hinterland" you must. It is quite simply William Orbits best work. Truly mezmerizing...and hypnotic. I cant get enough of his music...it seems like i keep wearing grooves in those cd's. Keep up the great work Mr. Orbit...i'm looking forward to your interactive CD and other musical journeys.

It is difficult to describe the music of William Orbit. It is dark, different, complicated, evocative, planetary, primordial, sensual and yet syncronous, vibrant, harmonic, exciting, and stirring. I simply love it and it gets played quite a lot around the house. It is music that I would write if I could. ***WARNING*** - This CD is best played at night and when you are undistracted. Without fail, anyone who listens to this CD in a car during a late night drive becomes a hooked.

I have listened to Orbit for years. He has had his hand in so many things that everyone has heard him and loved it. He has been a developing force in this type of music. If yo don't like it, so sweat. But anything trance or electronic can thank Orbit for a contribution. And don't forget Eno.

i enjoy the music on this cd of Mr William Orbit. StrangeCargos, Best Of is a collection of titles from StrangeCargo 1-3, and the EP Water From a Vine Leaf. In addition, tracks 7, 10, and 13 were preiously unavailable and recorded during the late 1980's. Although these span a long period of creativity, Mr Orbit has arranged them so that the listening experience is nearly seamless. In fact, the older cuts provide a variety. I feel calmed by these happy melodies which are quite approachable. "water from a vine leaf" has interesting twists and turns, at first unsettling, until it finds its centre after 90 seconds with the introduction of piano. "viacaliénte" has a bit of spanish-influenced accoustic guitar which is a pleasant excursion from the otherwise electronic numbers. I feel tension at the rests which introduce something alá bolero. It is a sharp contrast to the guitar pyrotechnics of "gringatchodemento". It's a dreamy, warm day at the shore without a cloud in the sky. All my friends are there, smiling and not one is talking about the weather. ;D

I just picked up this album and I was BLOWN AWAY! I love synth and good guitar and bass lines. This album has them all. The best of Strange Cargos is an understatement. I've truly been off the planet tonight, heck, I may never come back! In your shoping, get this album and you too will hear what I mean.