Customer Reviews

Elements of Life

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

 

 

For the most part, this rekkid is quite mellow & very laid back
The production, although very slick and well-done, is very "safe". In my opinion, it's a little too reserved... very much like the overall vibe of NYC's Music Scene.

Unfortunately, the "fire" is dying out here. Our current and former Mayors have done a great job of ruining the city's nightlife. Bloomberg vows to pull the plug on "the city that never sleeps".

When I listen to Louie's latest release, I'm reassured that he is a very talented producer/dj who isn't being challenged very much by his surroundings. My friend/fellow dj tells me that Louie tears it up every time he hears the "Master" at work (Louie still spins around town) but I'd love to hear him produce some music that's more aggressive and cutting edge.

This release is too "smoove" for any of the gigs that I spin.
So I'll simply have to listen to it at home.

*Most of the tracks mix from one to the next (in tempo)
Here's how I rated each track:

1. Journey's Prelude/Jungle Fever feat. Ursula Rucker
The poetry here is more like a mantra... Ursula sounds fine, yet not nearly as seductive or nasty as the chick on the original recording; The Chakachas released "Jungle Fever" in the '70's. This is merely an enhanced audio version with some minimal instrumental substitutions. Sounds fake and boring! 1 star out of 5

2. Brand New Day feat. Blaze
(Uptempo) Deep Jazzy House w/ great latin percussion
Nice keyboards/synth, decent drum loops, mediocre vocals
2 stars/5

3. Cerca De Mi feat. Raúl Midón
This has a brazilian feel, yet still deep jazzy house.
Track is mixed right into (same bpm) preceding track.
Not bad -- 3 stars/5

4. Africa/Brasil
Dope - The title says it all!
Djembes, afro guitar riffs, etc.
4.5 stars/5

5. Nos Vida feat. Anané
Nice vibe! Brasilian groove/Samba House
Panderos, cuicas, tambourines, etc.
4 stars/5

6. A Better Day feat. Raúl Midón

Brasilian Bliss -- very nicely done!
Great flute! Nice chord progression. Redundant lyrics, though.
3.5 stars/5

7. Ma Mi Mama feat. Anané
Cape Verdean/Brasilian -- Pretty nice vibe but very redundant. Boring chord progression :-(
2.5 stars/5

8. Tu Y Yo
This is very similar to last two tracks.
Not much difference in percussion patterns --
Acts more as a finale. Total track time 1:27
2 stars/5

9. Summer Night In Spanish Harlem
Awesome Rumba! Live percussion ensemble jam at about 145 bpm... Hot! 4.5 stars/5

10. Quimbombo feat. Domingo Quiñones
I saw Domingo star in the Off-B'Way musical of Hector Lavoe's life story... He was really great! Not my first choice for soñeros by far, but he has good pitch. The rhythm section (drum loops incl.) create a serious pocket!
4 stars/5

11. Canto Para Chango
With vocal...This eventually segues into the next track.
If I'm not mistaken, the clave is not being executed correctly.
2 stars/5

12. Sunshine

Yup, the rhythm section is playing in 2/3 clave but the percussionist is playing CLAVE in the 2/3 cuban-style which is not in synch. Sounds minor, but this is actually a big deal for many people. It still grooves though - Nice Vocals! 3 stars/5

13. Elements of Life feat. Blaze
More Deep Jazzy House (uptempo)
Nice bass, live percussion, nicely balanced.
Corny lyrics, decent vocals.
4 stars/5

14. Mon Amour feat. Anané and Dimitri of Paris
Half time, pseudo-bossa nova beat. Nice guitar, very nice bandoneón -- French language 4 stars/5

15. Mozalounge
Nice horns, piano, percussion...
Another fusion of Latin American styles.
SAFE -- but it works! At least in my living room or some SOHO lounge :-)
4 stars/5

P.S.
Why doesn't this CD include the names of ALL the great musicians who contributed? In my opinion, the best efforts were not by the (mediocre) smooth jazzy singers... the rhythm section, horns and percussionists featured here should be complimented for a great job.

DAVE MASUCCI

For the last decade and a half, Louie Vega (along with MAW partner Kenny "Dope" Gonzalez) has been gracing dance floors with some innovative and irresistible house rhythms. Admittedly, his style requires some getting used to. Some folks complain that his approach is too mellow, but if you are able to accept Vega on his own terms, then you'll most likely appreciate "Elements of Life." This disc is a classy hodgepodge of chilled house, spicy Latin/African rhythms, and crisp beats that are perfect for that Saturday evening get-together or for just mellowing out at home. Favorites are the percussion-heavy "Brand New Day," the Brazilian swagger of "Nos Vida" and "Ma Mi Mama," the killer interlude "Summer Night in Spanish Harlem" (some nice work on the congas and percussion, here), and the breezy closer "Mozalounge." Truthfully, there isn't anything here you haven't already heard before, and the typical Vega fan can more or less predict the direction of the album. But it's nice to see Louie fuse Brazilian/African rhythms, disco, and electronica on record so seamlessly as he does here.

A rich mix of his unbeatable garage songs, South American enriched house and real latin flavours, it collects previous 12" only classics such as "Brand New Day" and the title track, much of Louie's Vega Records output and loads of new music. The album features an unrivaled group of friends, from New Jersey garage supremos Blaze, singer / guitarist Raul Midon and Louie's wife Anane plus a host of players.
Another great and beautiful record, if you feel connected with Latin House music, there is a perfect example here, Elements of Life, keeps the dancefloor in mind, but moves far beyond it. He created with a nine-piece band and vocalists, including Ursula Rucker, Anane, Blaze with his fantastic "Elements of Life" in original 12" extended version, Jose Luis Pardo from "Los Amigos Invisibles" (Caracas FOREVER!!!), Raul Midon and salsa sensation Domingo Quinones (who sings a tribute to Vega's late uncle, former salsa star Hector Lavoe). The song Elements of Life was created years ago and then he created a whole album out of that sound. This album is a little deeper, that reflects more spiritualism, unifying cultures and basically celebrates life. Precious, really wonderful.

Now, this is a very special cd. It belongs into a very rare category for my standards, the one that the cds I listen for the very first time are so good, for me to say without any hesitation, this is great music.
As said above, this cd falls into this category, the music is a blend of Latin, Funk, Jazz, House and even some tango elements (Mon Amour). Great musicians are involved on this project and Mr. Vega arranges everything together to perfection. One could say that this is a continuation of the Nuyorican Soul Album, although none of the legends (Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri, George Benson, Roy Ayers etc) that participated on that album are contributing here. Instead, Mr. Vega has done something remarkable indeed. He has managed to find new musicians and singers (Anane, Raul Midon, EOL Band) that could produce equally great music. Also House legends Blaze are featured in two tracks and last but not least Louie's late uncle Hector Lavoe in one track, with some great solos!!!
This album comes out in a very important milestone on Louie's life (the birth of his son Niko, and his happy marriage to Anane) and I think he "sounds" more mature than ever before, and this really means something to anyone knowing Mr. Vega's past releases.
Enough said, buy this great cd and enjoy the exceptional music. Money well spent, thats for sure!!!
By the way the extra footage on the second bonus cd, is really great, including videos of live performances, photos, information, interviews, you name it.
Excellent work, well done Louie!!!

A must-buy - it's a perfect balanced mix of electronica and house. A few cuts blend Midon's vocals perfectly. Go for it.

I purchased "elements of life" CD,and really enjoyed all the tracks I thought the mastering was excellent and the mixing was very good.Good work Little Louie, I really got the chance to listen to your excellent work and music. I really like the designing of the CD and the history of your band and herself. Also I just wanted to say that your wife is very talented and your son "Nico" is cute, god bless him. Once again thank you and Im glad I purchased this wonderful (CD).

As a longtime Louie fan, I keep wanting to give this CD the benefit of a doubt but finally parted ways with it much like an old girlfriend you keep trying to come back to. For anyone interested, it lies along the I-4 corridor along the outskirts of Orlando. Amidst all the hype, I was filled with anticipation about this new product that Louie was about to deliver and the ethereal title, "Elements of Life" added to the excitement. I
had been hearing Brand New Day & Elements of Life on cable radio and although not taken aback by either of the two, thought that the album was sure to be filled with gems the likes of which we hadn't heard since River Ocean, the Bounce or Nuyorican Soul. Unfortunately, that was not to be the case. In a nutshell, as with most of the House music out there, these tracks lack balls w/the exception of the Salsa based Quimbombo & 2 tribal chants Sunshine and Canto a Chango. The single Elements of Life along with the other silly Brazilian influenced pieces are 5-10 years late and his "muse", aka new wife is definitely no India.

Where is the rawness, verve, attitude that dominated MAW? Is this what happens when house artists begin their crossover trek? A peer of mine stated House was not meant for the masses, it was our thing. Once that 'our thing' was lost, so was the soul of House. Another dispels that notion and says that the true element missing from this CD is Kenny D. Nevertheless, @$10-15 I say less hype and more "Voice Inside of Me"!

For those wanting to join my despair, if you see any glitter in the road it's not gold but rather the abandonment of mediocre House CD's... such is life - Peace.

Mr. Vega is INCREDIBLE! A GENIUS, The Miles Davis of Dance Music, and an AMAZING DJ/Producer...He and his other half Kenny "Dope" Gonzalez have created some of the classiest, sophisticated and stylish music that could only come from New York. Some of the people he has worked with include: Luther Vandross, Kenny Lattimore, Stephanie Mills, India, George Benson, Dave Valentin, Roy Ayers, Jocelyn Brown, Pattie Austin, James Ingram, BeBe Winans, and so on and on...Let me tell you right now that if your collection does not also include.."Nuyorican Soul - CD", "Masters at Work - 10th Anniversary - Part 1 - 1990-1995 -CD"& "Masters at Work - 10th Anniversary - Part 2- 1996-2000 CD" then I must tell you right now that your collection is missing something really, really special. Peace...Virgil

This one on the best mixed CD's incorporating a buffet of musicial ecstacies. Louie, you have out done yourself once again. Very proud to play this cd for all my non-house-head friends. They have no choice but to embrace the universal soul and spirit of this music. Always a New Yorker in the House!!