Customer Reviews

Chameleon

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This recording by Vox One is simply marvelous. I love the syncopated rhythms and unusual chord sequences. The singing is tight and precise, and only the first and last tracks use vocal effects to supplement the singing. "Over the Rainbow" is my favorite recording, a wonderful a cappella twist on the old standard. If you love a cappella music you'll love this album.

This is both a complex and warm album. Vox On is considered one of the best a cappella groups in the world by those who know this type of music, and this record proves it. The lame review below was clearly from someone who doesn't have the ears to get this group or this type of music. Don't go by this person's obvious chip on the shoulder over what "jazz" is. Vox One isn't trying to copy other groups or perform in the traditional "vocal jazz" style, which I find refreshing. I've seen Vox One live several times and I can tell you they and they are just as amazing live as they are in their recordings. All of their records are equally complex and emotional (in my opinion), and their arrangements are truly groundbreaking. Highly recommended.

I just purchased this CD and I am already in love with it. Each time I listen to it, I like it even more. The harmonies that this group sings are incredible, especially in the CD's haunting finale, Round Midnight. This CD is a great mix of songs. However, I must admit that Vox One is much stronger on ballads than anywhere else. However, I think that this CD would make an excellent addition to any collection.

I've had this album for more than 2 years now and since then I've purchased over 300 more a cappella CDs and I have to admit that only a few of them come even close to what VOX ONE accomplished during their time together! Infact IMHO, they are the ONLY group to my knowledge that used highly complex and unusual chord structures in all of their arrangements. "Chameleon" is a VERY sophisticated album and upon repeated listening, you will realise how intricate and sensible the harmonies are. Obviously the lone person who gave this album a rating of one star, missed the whole point. Please disregard and ignore that rating review as it was TOTALLY unfair and biased. If you are intrigued by what is possible with just the human voice, and are up to listening to ground-breaking a cappella, THIS is the album to get. I PROMISE you won't be disappointed with this one. Infact, I highly recommend their other 3 albums as well...simply incredible and outstanding performances! A cappella recordings and groups of this calibre come VERY rarely!

It's difficult to choose a favorite from the five albums VOX ONE has recorded but CHAMELEON is very impressive. One of the great things about VOX ONE is that I like every trak on every album that they have made. That's unusual because one usually buys an album only to discover two, three or four cuts that are not appealing. Not so with VOX ONE. Every song is good. I have all five albums and I never tire of listening to them. I pick up something new each time I hear them.
I've been a performer, educator and vocal coach for over 40 years and my opinion is that VOX ONE is one of the finest vocal ensembles I've ever heard. Their sense of pitch is flawless and their harmonic arrangements and the blend of those harmonies is stunningly beautiful. This is vocal jazz at its best. The musical perfection, energy and drive of their performances puts them, along with THE REAL GROUP, at the top of their field. I would give them a five star rating on every one of their albums including their newest cutting edge album. Bravo VOX ONE. I'm glad you're back together.

I've been a fan of Vox One since my high school days when my vocal jazz group did songs like "Morning" (from Out There) and "Danny Boy". We had the pleasure of working personally with Yumiko Matsuoka who fined tuned our version of Danny Boy for us! Excellent group. So sad they are no longer around, but I would recommend this to any a capella fan, student or teacher. They are certainly an example to take.

I have spent quite a few hours with all of Vox One's output since winter when I first became aware of them. Their fans can imagine the dismay when I found that they had long ago disbanded! I would have to agree with others that Chameleon is so fantastic that it would be the one under my arm on a desert island. The sheer vocal talent mated with some of the most brilliant vocal arrangements make repeated listening an exercise in appreciation and discovery. Let's hope for a return of this group. Get your tingles, sighs and gasps from music here. All are great. Next fave is "Pure Imagination" but this choice rotates with their others. Next time I am in Boston I will have to make a pilgrimage to the Berklee School of Music where many of the group still teach. Yumiko Matsuoka might truly be a genius in arrangement. Some of the layers of harmony she writes evoke Gil Evans and Gene Puerling with the "Singers Unlimited" an early inspiration of hers. YM has also made some contributions to the group M-Pact that you should also check out, IMHO.

If you DON'T have the EARS for a true musical talent, this is NOT for you. I have a classical voice music back ground and also have a perfect pitch. I know that it takes a lot of musical gift to be able to sing accapella in the first place. They've really done an excellent job especially when they produced this album WITHOUT any sampling, sequencing, looping and any use of drum machines. Knowing those facts, I was really impressed with how they were able to perform each notes precisely. I really loved the 'Over the rainbow' in this album. I can't wait for their next album. Bravi! VoxOne!

Vox One have a really tight sound on this album. Well produced, studio quality, full sound.

Would've been 5-stars if the interpretation on some of the songs were a little more musical.

Still very good though -- easy to listen to and smile!

Vox One was clearly one of the greats and this, their best album, is comparable only to Real Group's Unreal! for technical perfection, great arranging, style, panache, and probably ahead in jazz "feel" -- Gary Burton was a huge fan, and he knows a few things about it. Based on "a customer's" comment, we obviously need more vocal jazz fans here. People need to distinguish between personal taste and more objective criteria (for the record, I don't "like" Kenny G. either).