Carboot Soul [Original recording reissued]

Nightmares on Wax | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 28, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording reissued
• Label: Warp Records
• ASIN: B00007L9O8
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #70,961 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #27 in Music > Rap & Hip-Hop > International Rap
  • #79 in Music > Dance & DJ > IDM
  • #96 in Music > Indie Music > Dance & DJ > Techno-House

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Soulful "Carboot", May 14, 2005

By 

E. A Solinas "ea_solinas" (MD USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Carboot Soul (Audio CD)

Nightmares on Wax is one of those legendary one-man bands who crop up every now and then (also known as George Evelyn, but that doesn't sound as cool). Even the "merely good" work by people such as he is astounding, inventive and really fun.

And "Carboot Soul," his third album, is no exception: it's an amazing mixture of chillout electronica and acid jazz. It's a bit less hazy than his 1995 "Smoker's Delight," but that isn't surprising -- here Evelyn pulls on various influences to flavour his music. The title fits this album: it's soulful, yet it has as many influences as a "carboot" rummage sale.

It begins on a symphonic note in the epic "Les nuits," which seems to herald a new music direction. Don't be deceived. The symphonic build-up leads to funky grooves and jazzy flavours in "Morse," which continues to the brassy "Easejimi," the mellow murmurs of "Finer," and the wonderfully peculiar "Argha Noah." Say that last title out loud, and you'll understand the joke.

But there is a slightly more delicate style near the end, when Evelyn switches to the gently rippling guitar of "Fire in the Middle," the melancholy acid jazz of "Survival," and the eerier, more symphonic sound of "Capumcap." Evelyn ends the album on a high note, with those sensitive, lower-key songs.

It's hard to find groups as good as Nightmares on Wax -- scour the top hundreds, and you won't find anything like this. I personally found "Carboot Soul" in a tiny hole-in-the-wall music store, in the "used" bin, although it's hard to imagine why anyone would discard an album like this.

Despite the chillout label, Evelyn's music has a sort of relaxed warmth that counterpoints the icy sound of many other bands. He also has a good ear for samples and beats, lacing them with razor-sharp drums and some wonderful brass instrumentation. Sara Winton's rich voice is used well, crooning, "A bottle like a model shipwreck/where did it come from?/Where will it go?/A face without a name/survival..."

"Carboot Soul" is another triumph by Nightmares on Wax, and another wonderful display of George Evelyn's considerable talents. An absolute joy.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great chill/trip hop, July 7, 2003

By 

Kai "kai" (CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Carboot Soul (Audio CD)

Hands down, this has got to be one of my favorite albums of all time. This album is designed to make your senses tingle and your mind to drift into bliss. Starting out with the classic "Les Nuits", the track eases you into "Morse", the second track and my personal favorite. Layered with warm melodies and beautiful female vocals, the song will surely capture your mind and transport you to a state of pureness. "Ethnic Purity" follows with a nice horn section and bass line reminicent of the Antibalas Orchestra of the black movement. "Jorge" slows down with an easy, relaxing rythmic beat and female vocal, while the popular "Finer" invites your mind to wander with a deep, yet soft bassline and female vocal element. "Ease Jimi" brings the instrumental Antibalas influence back, while the psychadelic "Argha Noah" climaxes the album and send you into a state of euphoria. The three songs that follow are designed to bring you down and conclude the trip, thus the category "trip hop"is fitting in every respect. I recommend this not only to trip hop/chillout enthusiasts, but to anybody who enjoys music.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Really is a "Smokers Delight", December 17, 1999

By 

T. Turner (Tampa Bay Area) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Carboot Soul (Audio CD)

Literally everyone who has heard this CD wants to buy it or get a copy of it. Gave it to my girlfriend to listen to at work - now the whole office loves it and tells her to turn it up and asks where to buy. Her mother listend to it - now shes getting both "Nightmares on Wax" for christmas. Friends want me to burn them copies. People aske me to borrow it. Receptionist at work bought it. Simply great music that everyone can enjoy. It is DEFINATELY WORTH THE MONEY. I GUARANTEE IT.