Customer Reviews

Coco de Mer

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Adam Plack grew up trying to practice classical violin while his father played jazz and R&B records. He couldn't help but get distracted and jam along. Thus the idea for this CD, which couples multi-tracked operatic vocals by female singer Chen Reiss and classical-style accompaniments by pianist Ilan Rechtman and his string orchestra with sultry voice-overs and chillin' club-style drum beats. Think: Enigma with opera instead of Gregorian chant. Classical sources include Delibes' "Lakme," Bizet's "Carmen," Puccini's "Tosca" and "Madame Butterfly," Dvorak's "Rusalka," Massenet's "Cherubin," and cantatas by Bach and Handel. While the programmed beats here get a little monotonous after a while, and could be broken up more for the sake of interest, they do at least change noticeably from piece to piece. And I like the idea of this album: opera you can dance to! It more aptly fills the role of "Opera Crossover" than the work of such groups as Amici Forever and the Opera Babes, which also modify operatic arias, but not always in a distinctly modern manner. Don't be put off by the cover art of "Coco de Mer," which borders on the pornographic (it features a coconut, considered in India and Africa to be a sexual symbol, that is partially peeled to make it look like a woman's vagina). Sure to be considered graphic and offensive by some, this obtusely male-oriented marketing strategy makes even less sense than usual when considering that the coconut and its erotic symbolism have little or nothing to do with European opera set to a beat. Most of the song lyrics, with the exception of those from "Carmen," are about love, not sex. There is a difference, gentlemen. But my advice to prospective purchasers is to simply ignore the cover if it bothers you and enjoy the music. Try also "MCMXC A.D." by Enigma, "Mystic Spirit Voices" or "Illumination" by Lesiem, and any of the releases by Amici Forever and the Opera Babes.

I personally don't listen to actual Opera because I find most of it to be boring but after Sarah Brightman's success took off with mega hits like "Time To Say Goodbye" and "Eden" several other acts followed suit in what's now known as classical crossover and it spread like a wildfire, catching flame by sparking the interests of unexpected listeners. Many "purists" criticize this genre for not using all the proper techniques when handling the voice and for sugarcoating these respected arias with pop beats, and whatnot, but I think it's a great way to draw people in that would normally steer far away from music such as this.

'Coco de Mer' (or "Tantric Coconut"), which was produced, arranged and conceived by Adam Plack was my first classical crossover buy in a long time and while I wasn't entirely disappointed I've heard far better. This reaches new grounds for it blends in nusoul grooves with downtempo Cafe del Mar-type beats (there's even a semi-rap part on Delibes' "Lakme") and I imagine the two could possibly coexist in the future sometime but this album needs a ton of improvement... Just as another reviewer stated, it was a good idea but poorly executed. Most of the songs don't work well but "Opus" is a beautiful piece (the only without singing) with strings and piano and the ever-enchanting melody of Dvorak's "Moon (Rusalka)" is almost worth the purchase alone! Chen Reiss has a lovely voice that reminds me a lot of Sasha Lazard and I also enjoy her operatics on "Respect" and "Col Patir" but she falls a bit short in sustaining my attentive ears.

All in all this isn't horrible (I appreciate the word translations inside the booklet) but I'd recommend Paul Schwartz's 'Aria 2: New Horizon' over this any day. As of this moment he's the best modern composer I've yet to discover.

I never expected the "marriage" between hip-hop and classical opera to be so hip, engaging and musically rewarding but it is just that. One of my favorite CDs I have purchased in the last couple of years. I'm listening to it day and night.

Don't recall how I stumbled upon this CD, but I liked it so much that I gifted it to someone else. Refreshingly different is my descripton of this music. Friend received product as promised.

This album is so great! I too have shared this with my family and they all agree. Now I'm on to sharing it with co-workers. The smoothness...the richness...the fullness of the music is the epitome of passion.

Finally Opera music that I can play while I have friends over for cocktails and drinks. This is a fantastic blend of cool new grooves with Operatic voices that is perfect for when I lounge around or get busy in the bedroom. Give me more!!!

I much prefer the music of Macolm McClaren's album, "Fan." The opera is better, and most importantly, McClaren's piece was the original 'inventor' of mixing opera with modern music. I could not believe that this album included many of the same arias that were included in the "Fans" album!

i am into eclectic music...i loved the operas and rest of the album...

hey...try Dr. Draw' "The City" too (Eugene Draw)

COCO DE MER IS A GEM...I'M SO HAPPY I FOUND THIS AMAZING ALBUM. BUY IT FOR YOUR MOM AND GIRLFRIENDS!! I BOUGHT 10 COPIES FOR MY FRIENDS AND MY MOM AND THEY HAVE ALL TOLD ME THEY LOVED IT!!! I WANT TO BUY ALL THE MUSIC THESE PEOPLE MAKE!!! YUM YUM!! THANKS!

This is kind of a weird thing to do, but this CD is so good, I figured why not. First of all, the packaging alone is worth the $18, with a synopsis of each aria. And can we please just talk about this fruit, coco de mer? It looks like a shapely woman's derriere, so powerful.

As far as the music goes, I just feel lucky to find this music. It's taking opera, and fusing it with today's music, which I guess other poeple do as well, but for whatever reason, this one makes me really happy.