Customer Reviews

Boheme

5 star:		(33)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

'Music Detected' was my first CD by Deep Forest and, even though I loved it while most other DF fans were disappointed and some even appalled by their drastic change in sound, after listening to their highly praised 'Boheme' I now have a better understanding of why!
I still love 'Music Detected' and wouldn't dream of changing my rating, but after hearing 'Boheme' it simply blew me away and just might have affected the way I thought about MD if I had purchased this before that...

'Music Detected' has a more eclectic sound than 'Boheme' for (unlike this album) MD mixed an interesting, if not hypnotic fusion of world, rock, dance and soul with most of the songs sung in english, which must have taken a lot of die-hard Deep Forest fans for a loop because their initial style has a more ethnic-world sound with modern beats and ancient pygmy vocals that are rich (and yes, a little strange) but full of life and vigor!

Both are very good but to compare them is somewhat difficult for they're both so very different!

'Music Detected' will never dish up classic DF tracks like "Marta's Song" and "Boheme" but if you have an open-mind than DF fans will hopefully learn to grow with their expanding overflow of experimentations... I for one was completely enthralled with both albums and am deeply looking forward to checking out their other releases, which are probably just as amazing!

Aside from the god-awful "Bulgarian Melody" (which should have never been sung as a ballad), the rest of 'Boheme' is simply mind-boggling and all fans of world music should get themselves a copy...Pronto!

If you're thinking of buying this piece of music, let me qualify my generous rating by stating that I have owned and enjoyed their first album for several years now. This second work of theirs has much of what made me a fan of their debut effort: great melodies, lush orchestrations via synthesizers, groovy rhythms, and really cool use of sampled vocals. While the first recording primarily used samples of jungle peoples' folk tunes and chants, Boheme gathers voices from a variety of places: Hungarian folk tunes, Totowa Indian songs, a choir from China, even a (gasp!) live Eastern European female vocalist. The result is richer than their first CD, with more variety in terms of tempo, timbre (i.e., the sonic choices), and mood.

I was absolutely amazed with Deep Forests debut album. It was and still is one of the most groundbreaking world music albums of all time and it's a huge crime that it isn't carried by retailers. It is still an amazing CD to this very day. It blended Pygmy voices with modern dance and the result was a masterpiece. This follow-up to that album entitled "Boheme" raises the bar even higher by having Deep Forest travel from the remoteness of Sub-Saharan Africa, to the forests of Bulgaria and Eastern Europe and the result is beyond what I could give out and "Boheme" is in my opinion, Deep Forest's best album to date although "Music Detected" may offer competition. The album has a much darker and more dramatic undertone than their debut album does but I love it.

"Anasthasia" starts the album on a dark, eerie, and slightly ominous note with a very tribal sound with haunting flutes and a haunting ambience that gives the song a feel of like drifting through the forests of the Alps with nearby storms. Eventually the song gets more and more intense until it suddenly ends at just less than two minutes length. The echoes of "Anashthasia" perfect blend into the drama of my favorite track on this album "Bohemian Ballet". This is one of their best `studio' album tracks that they've ever created. At first, the clanging dance sound effects would imply a Latin folk track but it becomes a very intense, dramatic, and dark song. Things get even better when it becomes a vibrant and energetic dance song with haunting and bizarrely amplified Eastern European voices backed by the intense melody. This song is my favorite song on this entire album. "Marta's Song" is sheer beauty. After the dramatic darkness of "Bohemian Ballet", we emerge into the sunniness of "Marta's Song" which is another one of the highlights of this album. The song has a really excellent and exotic rhythm and the same is said about the haunting Bulgarian chants as well. Add that to a really warm and energetic melody and you have a really uplifting classic for the coming ages. "Gathering" is a much darker and more ominous track with a very futuristic production yet it also blends in ancient chorus and a really dark but never forboding atmosphere to create another intriguing and amazing classic. "Lament" is a really heartbreaking yet joyous song with a very strange electronic voice effect and bizarrely amplified voice effects. The melody is really awesome as well and the result is another highlight on this album. "Bulgarian Melody" is the strangest track on this CD. Although it starts with a dark and very eerie note and growing more and more dramatic, it calms down and becomes a very odd piano ballad with Bulgarian vocals amidst sweet and beautiful background piano in the background which almost gives the song a slight 1940s tone to it. While I totally disagree with a reviewer saying that this song is god-awful, it does feel sort of out of place against the other songs on this album but nonetheless it is a really great song. As it reverts back to the eerie sound that was present at the beginning, it morphs into a sweeter melody which becomes the track "Deep Folk Song" which is just a one minute interlude track but has a really vibrant French accordion style to it. In a way it's more of like an interlude intro into the vibrant classic "Freedom Cry". This is a really fun and actually a very bright, sunny and really happy song without being cheesy and is actually a very sophisticated song with an edgy and funky beat and a French accordion sound to it that gives the idea of a dance in an open paved plaza in Paris right after a storm moves out. A really amazing song it is. The song gracefully transitions into the next song "Twosome" which is another highlight on this album. This song has a rather slightly ominous melody but also a very joyous and exotic dance club sound. The Eastern Indian chanting gives the song a really colorful sound. It's hard to really explain this track but it's a really awesome song that needs a listen. "Café Europa" is a really strange track with a stormy vibe and Asian exotic instruments. The song becomes a very club-oriented dance song that surely would make for excellent dance club music. While it's a very good song, it doesn't stack up as high as the other songs on this album. Still, it's a great song. The live version is incredible! "Kathrina" is a very spooky track. It begins with a very misty sharp-sounding flute or other wind instrument and becomes a very dark and haunting track with African beats and strange ominous melody. This is the darkest track on this album and it's a good one at that! The album closes with what I can safely say is the best track on this album which is the title track to this CD. While much of the album is dark and somewhat stormy in nature, the closing title track has a very happy and absolutely uplifting vibe and has a funky and exotic rhythm and colorful vocal effects. To me, this is like the sun shining bright after a major storm moving away into the east. This song brings an already phenomenal album to a glorious finish.

Their debut album may have been what brought them into the spotlight but the way I look at it, "Boheme" was where they reached their peak although "Music Detected" may offer competition but these two albums have enormously different styles that it's impossible to compare them but they both showed that Deep Forest were unafraid to go into uncharted territory with their music. "Boheme" to me, built on the greatness of their debut and the result is what I consider to possibly be their best album that they've ever put out to date. I strongly suggest that you get a hold of a copy of this album. I don't know how much I can recommend it but I cannot do this album justice with this review. That's all I can say.

This CD is far from any African influence as previously mentioned in one review, and certainly is unlike Enigma. We have Enigma to be like Enigma. "Boheme" is devoted to the sounds and samples of Eastern European music as interpreted by Deep Forest, often with a driving bass techno beat. Deep Forest (Eric Mouquet and Michel Sanchez) have enlisted the wonderful Marta Sebestyen to collaborate on this CD and the results are haunting yet definitely distinct vocals as only Marta can do them. I'd say Boheme is a good initiation into the ever-changing world of the Deep Forest.

Like a fine French meal laced with treats from Asia and Africa, the Middle East and place in between, this Deep Forest CD is a treat for all the senses. Sensual, earthy and magical. As the creators note 'Afin que se balade, se tisse et se bataisse la rapsodie moderne de Bhoeme, nous en avons varie les sons, les provenaces et les orchestrations'. "To allow the wandering, weaving, and building of Boheme's modern Bohemian rhapsody, we have varied sounds, origins and orchestrations'.

Anasthasia has a middle eastern feel with deep string instruments and drumming, with a magical flute that tickles the senses. The way the flute and voices quiver is spell binding.

Bohemian Ballet is a song that I and friends literally get up and dance to, whether inside or outside on the beach or near our mountain stream. It is a happy song that has sensual rhythms that are intoxicating. Raise your hands and clap along as you do your own style of belly dance.

Martas Song begins with what sounds like a rain stick and a woman's beautiful voice, and evolves into an echoing style with yodeling undertones from men in an Indian or Chinese flare.

Gathering has a mystical sound and I could easily invision swirlkling in hympnotic circles. For me there were hints of northern Africa in the sounds of the men's voices. Although I could easily invision remote Greek villages full of men dancing in traditional Greek circles.

Lament begins with a magical flute group that slowly evolves to a man singing who sounds a tad Tibetain or Eastern European, and then just as quickly it seems as if a group of children from China are accompaning him. A slow almost lullaby beat.

Bulgarian Melody begins with a beautiful piano and then there is either an Asian or Eastern European voice, dialect that reminds me of when I toss a pebble on the water and I watch it dance along making ripples. Then suddenly the piano in almost a classical manner comes back, with hints of string instruments in the background.

Deep Folk Song is so like the Russian folk dancing music that I have always loved. One can hear the feet jumping up and coming down firmly rythmetic on the wood floor. Then a raspy voiced gem of a man comes along singing what is like a converstation. One can almost invision him gazing into ones eyes as he sings his conversation.

Freedom Cry. Listening to this song I knew what the CD insert meant when it noted that the titles express something beyond folklore, but are also rallying songs of freedom and fraternity.

Twosome begins with another one of those Asian/Indian feeling songs with flute and richness that is like a Persian rug rich in colour, texture and feel. One feels like dancing and twirling to the sway and flow of the rhythm. In some ways I could almost feel the warmth of the sun on my face, and the smell of jasmine in the air.

Cafe Europa sounds a tad Spanish or Basque to me. Could easily invision flamingo dancing in some adobe structured villa surrounded by olive groves. Even though I know it is modern acoustical instruments that are used, there was almost a hint of a harpsichord of centuries past. And I love the fiddle playing and what appears to be an accordion.

Katharina There is that mystical wood instrument again, echoing and teasing the listener. And the soft modern organ. In fact the wood instrument may well me some magical organ key. All I know is I love the sound.Close your eyes as you listen to this song and picture yourself laying back in a boat rocking softly on the Mediterranean sea near Monaco, France or even near some remote Greek island.
Finally.

Boheme lives up to its name or the word Bohemian. Earthy, lusty, sensual and colourful. A real march to your own drummer song.

What a fascinating and spine-tingling interpretation and enhancement of Eastern European music, primarily Hungarian, which is my heritage. Deep Forest manages to make Marta Sebestyen sound even more evocative than she usually sounds ... her voice is soulful, poignant, piercingly tender and sincere. This CD is one nonstop experience of primarily Hungarian/Gypsy and Eastern European culture. It is made more enticing and alluring by the qualities Deep Forest brings forth with their creative imaginations -- they add unique beats and splendid vocalizations. They start with an original piece of music by the original artist, then intepret and expand the sound into haunting and ethereal dimensions. I can not say which is my favorite because the whole CD is one magnificent production of high quality and artistry. The traditional music of this region is combined with modern instruments which only makes the original sound even *more* visceral and earthy ... the root music takes hold of you!!! It does not let go. The unsuspecting listener becomes entranced by a traditionAL sound and an almost dying ancient culture ... fortunately it is being rediscovered and interpreted by musicians such as Deep Forest. I love the cover, the falling orange leaves and the "psi" symbol. The sunlight being filtered through the fog is such an appropriate and absolutely well targeted symbol of the musical contents. Erika Borsos (erikab93)

This is Deep Forest's opus; EVERYONE should at least give it a listen, even if you don't like new age/world music. Deep Forest is unique and cannot be compared to any other artists of the same genre. I promise you won't be disappointed with this CD!

My husband picked this CD up a couple of years ago, never having heard any of it, based on a review he read. We took it on vacation with us (long drive) and played it almost constantly that week. I never tire of its pulsating rhythms, interesting vocals and lyrical music. My daughter now thinks we cannot go on vacation without Boheme and I agree! Highly recommended!!!

I am a big Deep Forest fan. Of all of their CDs, this and Music Detected are my favorites. Boheme has a gorgeous earthy sound that is equal parts sensual and comforting. This is one of my "Rainy Day" CDs - music to play when it is dark and stormy outside and all you want to do is read a good book and have some great coffee or tea. The individual songs combine to form a rich blend of foreign elements with familiar notes - Eastern European vocals, chants and instruments combined and enhanced with backbeats and synthisized instrumentation.

The sole exception to the calming air of this CD is Cafe Europa, which is a heavier song with a club feel. In classic Deep Forest tradition, this song incorporates chanting with synthesizers and a driving backbeat. The first song, Anasthasia, is deep and rich with industrial elements and an earthy feel of discovery - much like walking through a forest at night to discover a field of wildflowers at sunrise. Also full of of rich emotion and imagery is the three song arc - Bulgarian Melody, Deep Folk Song, and Freedom Cry. Bulgarian Melody starts as a seemingly unfocused piano piece featuring vocals by Marta Sebestyn (also featured on two other tracks on the CD, Marta's Song and Twosome). This builds in intensity and flows into Deep Folk Song, which is a triumphant piece incorporating echoing drums and native cries. This floats directly into Freedom Cry, a passionate, inspirational song which uses native vocals by Hungarian Gypsies. Marta's Song and Twosome are both showcases for Marta Sebestyn's incredible voice. She's like a foreign Karen Carpenter, able to use rich vocals to convey love, loss, regret, hope, and comfort all at once. Gathering and Lament both use synthisizers and native vocals to great effect, Lament as a song rich in loss and regret, Gathering as a song full of warning and portents. Katharina is the most sensual piece on the album, blending synthesized horns and pipes with a slower yet powerful backbeat and soft chanting for a ceremonial feel. Bohemian Ballet is an intense song, with an insistent backbeat, lilting guitars and raw, emotional vocals. The last piece, titled simply Boheme is a pleasant wrap up - you know it's the last piece even if you aren't keeping track. This upbeat song features synthesized horns and hopeful, expectant vocals combined with a backbeat that is not too fast, not too slow - just right.

This is an all-around gorgeous CD for anyone with an interest in atmospheric, global music that you don't get to hear on the radio. Because Deep Forest is so artistic, you may recognize pieces of this CD from fashion shows, commercials, television specials - anywhere but popular mainstream radio. I highly recommend this CD to anyone who likes New Age music with a twist of electronica. You won't regret this CD purchase. =)

I bought this cd on a whim ..willing to try ethnic music (and no not just different places in America ethnic...ie country to inner city rap but world ethnic). If you like to be relaxed and if you like new age-ish music, I recommend this cd. I'm unable to put anything else down in words, as from today's music and style, Deep Forest's Boheme is really different to compare it to anything else. But if you're willing to try something different, I say why not start here? :-)