Customer Reviews

Blissed Out

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

 

 

Originally released in 1991, I was ecstatic when I found this release while in Australia in 1992. I loved the Beloved's first release "Happiness;" I owned it and all the remix singles. This remix album was a must buy for a fan.

1. Up, Up and Away (Happy Sexy Mix) - Fun, similar to original, but freshly rearranged, addition of female vocals. About as good as the original.

2. Hello (Honky Tonk) - Available on the "Hello" single. Sped up (manic pace), different beats, new piano and brass work, added vocals. The ending incorporates part of "The Sun Rising." Not quite as addictive as the original.

3. Wake Up Soon (Something to Believe In) - Similar in construction to the original, minor orchestral additions and rearrangements. Vocal samples added during the verses are somewhat annoying; samples added during the bridges are similar but work much better. Not as strong as the original, but a good interpretation.

4. Time After Time (Muffin Mix) - Available on the "Time After Time" single. Takes on a strong rastafarian feel. Stripped down orchestrally from the original with more pronounced beats. A rasta type rap is added to the intro and an extended bridge.

5. Pablo (Special K Dub) - A remix of the original version of "Pablo" (from the "Time After Time" single). The original was instrumental with a few incomprehensible vocal samples thrown in. In the mix, the beats are sped up, the orchestration is filled out, and the vocal samples are more pronounced. I'm not exactly fond of either version, but it's interesting if you're in a trancey state of mind.

6. The Sun Rising (Norty's Spago Mix) - Available on the "The Sun Rising" single (the 1990 single, not the 1997 single). With a bit more pronounced beat and some uplifting orchestration additions, I prefer this mix over the original. The general construction remains the same. The main difference is the attitude and clarity of the song are lifted up and refined.

7. It's Alright Now (Back to Basics) - I believe this is an unreleased track that could have fit on "Happiness." It's fun, positive, upbeat and up-tempo. A little shallow on orchestration, it still gets you moving and singing along.

8. Your Love Takes Me Higher (Calyx of Isis) - I prefer the original over this remix. While the remix is fast paced and upbeat, it's more manic and not as fun. Additional beats and orchestration. Added vocal samples of middle-eastern female chanting, and a female talking and moaning (sexually). The vocals have been removed.

9. Up, Up and Away (Beautiful Balloon Mix) - Available on the "The Sun Rising" single (the 1990 single, not the 1997 single). While similar to the original, the orchestration has been changed, making it shallow and feel mellow; it has an acid jazz feel. Interesting, but definitely a different attitude from the original.

10. Hello (What's All This Then) - Available on the "Hello" single. Funkified version of the original. Similar but rearranged orchestration, beats are funkier and more pronounced, and lyrics have been reverbed and pared down. Rather fun if you loved the original.

11. The Sun Rising (Danny's "Love Is....." Mix) - A fabulous, rich mix, taking the original to a new level. While not my favorite song on "Happiness," this is one of the best executed remixes on this release. The additional remix and production add to the song's depth and emotion.

Those are the 11 listed above. Here are the additional 5, if you happen to be lucky enough to get the full release.

12. Your Love Takes Me Higher (Simply Divine) - A phenomenal interpretation of the original. Funky beats and additional orchestration make up for the lack of most vocals. Additional mixing maintains the fun, upbeat nature of the original, taking it to the next level. Very fun and enjoyable.

13. Paradise (My Darling, My Angel) - Available on the "Hello" single. Non-album track that is a cross between "The Sun Rising" and "Wake Up Soon." Somewhat fun and funky, but a definite B-side.

14. Time After Time (Through the Round Window) - A new mix that did not appear on the "Time After Time" single. The beat has been modified to be more pronounced with a slight hip-hop feel. This mix that lacks vocals. However, the additional production, along with keeping the construction similar to the original, really make this mix work. You bop along and sing the lyrics in your head; it's very enjoyable.

15. Don't You Worry (Timeless Dub) - While I consider the original version trite and sappy (but still fun), this mix contains a lot more depth and maturity in its sound. Most of the vocals are gone. While the orchestration has been pared down, it has been filled in with better and deeper orchestration (almost Pet Shop Boy in nature). A definite improvement.

16. Acid Love - This is a non-album track that is c. 1998. This is an excellent danceable track. Jon Marsh's vocals are a lot deeper, almost spoken. A great song for the dance floor.

After all that, how would I rate the album? I give it 3 stars, based on the assumption that the Amazon version only has the first 11 songs. Of the 11, five are available on the remix singles released with "Happiness." While a good release, I mostly prefer the originals over these remixes. However, this is a rare CD, and if you missed out on remix singles and you are a fan of "Happiness," it's a release you should probably have. If the release truly has all 16 songs, I would bump it up to 4 stars. Those last 5 songs really help make this a pretty excellent remix album.

If you're an avid Beloved fan, buy this CD; it's pretty rare and different, even with only 11 tracks. If you're not into remixes or rarities, you should probably pass up this CD. However, if in your travels you should find the 16-track version, by all means, BUY IT. You won't be disappointed.

These tracks were all recorded way back when before the Beloved were big here in the US, but they still have, because they always had, the beat, the thump and tempo that all great Beloved songs have. I don't know what it is about the Beloved songs, but they are great for just chillin' out and also great for turning up the volume and rock out. No matter what the mood, the Beloved is there.