Gran Riserva

Dzihan & Kamien | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 1, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Six Degrees
• ASIN: B00006K0CX
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #56,206 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Uberfunk!, September 2, 2004

By 

Chris (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gran Riserva (Audio CD)

You would have to sort through a lot of junk to find a gem like Gran Riserva. It's beyond smooth and is above and beyond the best deep acid, jaz-funk, kitch, downtempo, groove lizard disc I've ever heard. It's difficult to categorize this disc, it slides all over the map but it's so well done that the transitions are seamless and flow beautifully. "Where's Johnny Sabatino" is film noire groove, complete with the sexy and manic voice over. "Airport" takes a one-way ticket to beat heaven, 'Basmati' moves things along nicely and eases you into the goodness to come. 'Drophere' (featuring Ma Dita) take it to ethereal depths with haunting vocals and a fabulously sexy rythm. "Thrill" takes you down memory lane, in this trippy and addictive riff. From the first time I spun this disc, it became a Sunday Afternoon favorite. Friends who hear this will agree, it's a *must* have.

The genre is typically bland and uninspired whereas Gran Riserva tucks itself nicely into your background or can easily rouse the neighbors. dZihan & Kamien blend sophisticated beats with some very provocative themes, all without pretense. The whole disc is multifaceted enough to suit any occasion and can move you or soothe you. I especially love the cover, it's absolutely deadpan - I was pleasantly surprised to discover that it features their respective fathers, musicians in their own right. This disc became an immediate, personal favorite.

The whole disc from start to finish is a very rare treat. Raise the bar and ease into exceptionally well-done and sophisticated lounge. dZihan & Kamien' Gran Riserva won't let you down. Best served chilled, no lizard's collection should be without this.

I'd also recommend Zero 7's "Simple Things".

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thought my CD was skipping; no, that's just how D+K get down, February 25, 2004

By 

Ilan Dor (Boston, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gran Riserva (Audio CD)

Subtle, yet in your face, classy, yet raw, vintage-laden, teched-out, scratched-up, plain sick acid-jazz/disco/funk miscellania and minutia like you have not heard before.

This CD is so hot and raw that you can't help but squint and grin when you hear it... only if you're down with the REAL cheesecake, that is (that would be this album, of course).

'Basmati' and 'Sliding' are by FAR the two standout cuts on this album. 'Airport' would be my next pick of the choicest cuts, albeit, if not in the same category as the latter two. I won't waste any time describing these tracks 'cause words won't do them justice, imho.

As a part-time funk musician/composer (piano and keyboards), i must admit that, in general, the only credibility I lend to any piece of music is that earned by its 'groove,' if you will. Some people may use the terms 'drive' or 'beat' instead. With this kind of music, lyrics only matter to serve the groove; it doesn't really matter what exactly they are saying, long as it sounds good with the music; that's why the best lyrics in funk are often just plain scatting or pure nonsense.

This CD is only for people who 'get' what good acid-jazz is; if you don't know the difference, then this album will sound no different to you than the other 50,000 or what not garbage wannabe acid-jazz compilations that pollute the shelves of the 'Dance/DJ' section of your local record store or the virtual ones of Amazon. Perhaps if more people knew the difference, we'd have less garbage to sort through to find albums like this.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Smooth, October 4, 2002

By 

N. Fisher (East Coast United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gran Riserva (Audio CD)

I've only listened to the disc twice, and I am
very satisfied. After listening to refreaked,
Dzihan and Kamiens remix cd (remixes of Freaks
and Icons by various artists IE AtJazz, etc.),
I was instantly interested in D&K (ironic). So
when Gran Riserva came out 3 days ago I got it.

It's very smooth and chill, yet fun and energetic.
A nice blend of synthetic production and live
instrumentation make for a rich listen. D&K have
production skills, and it is evident in their
sound and tracks. Quality.

I was worried that the CD would drift into ambiguous
toms and percussion, but the tracks maintained a
solid flow, and nothing really lulled too much. There
is minimal filler, although on first listen the first
1/2 of the disc seems more solid. Percussive beats,
funky basslines and chilled out melody abound. This
is a quality cd.

--Nick--