Customer Reviews

Heaven

5 star:		(37)
4 star:		(21)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(17)

 

 

If you hate Europop and think that the frothy sounds of DJ Encore, Lasgo, just to name a couple are the worst thing that has ever happened to music, there is nothing in this CD that will change your mind as I respect that some musical genres are not for everyone.

I for one need a little Europop in my diet, and this release is one of my favorites. Is it a masterpiece? Certainly not, but within its own universe it's one of the best, not counting Chicane, which is in my opinion a cut above the rest. Out of the first 5 songs, 4 are remakes. The biggest hit, and my favorite of the bunch, is a remake of Bryan Adam's "Heaven." DJ Sammy has changed the song into an optimistic dance opus with soothing lead vocals that take the song in a totally new direction. There is also a remake of Don Henley's "The Boys of Summer," which took some time to grow on me but I now like as much as "Heaven." "California Dreaming" is yet another remake, and unlike the first two this one sounds a little too light and high school chorus-like to make an impact. "El Condor Pasa" is a change of pace as it's a little more aggressive (one could even say tribal), and although it's impossible to compare it to Simon & Garfunkel's version, I think that it's cheesy and fun. Again, if you hate this sound, you'll find the vocals to be clichéd and without imagination, but the song just makes me smile.

Other highlights include "Sunshine," "Beautiful Smile," which are original compositions and makes me feel like I am chilling by the ocean. One could argue that many of these songs are interchangeable, and although I could not discount said perspective, I simply like this sound and it makes me feel good. I also liked "Paradise Of Love" (which shamelessly rips off Sash!'s biggest hits), but since I am not a copyright lawyer, I'll continue to enjoy it. I love the vocals on "Unbreakable," although the musical accompaniment needs a little oomph as the harder edge does not work as well here as it does in "El Condor Pasa." I also liked the vocals on "Take Me Back To Heaven" as they are quite muscular and make this song a little different than some of the more soothing ones. "Sunchild" is an instrumental which grabs the basic formula and twists it with a mysterious Eastern countercurrent which is pretty good.

There are two extras on this CD, which are slowed down versions of "Sunlight" and "Heaven" and they are both phenomenal and serve as a soothing end to music that is light and fun.

There is nothing intellectual or innovative about DJ Sammy, but just like I like Etta James, Bruce Springsteen, Nina Simone, and Peter Gabriel, there is room for DJ Sammy. Some highbrow reviewers don't give themselves the opportunity to experience music that is beneath the critical radar. Is this release a MUST HAVE? Not really as you would do as well with Lasgo and even better with Chicane, but if you like Europop you can't go wrong with this purchase. I give it 3 very well earned stars.

I fell in love with DJ Sammy's remake of the classic song "Heaven" by Bryan Adams. I loved when it would come on the radio, when they played it at school dances, or even heard it in the store. I then bought the CD, and I think it is decent... and could have been a little better.

1. -California Dreamin'- 4/5
I felt this song was a pretty good remake, and a pretty good song to start the CD off.

2. -Heaven- 5/5
This song is by far the best song on the album. Very awesome remake of a classic, and Do's voice is beautiful! I really love the Music Video too!

3. -Sunlight- 4/5
This song is really nice and relaxing, and I enjoy listening to it!

4. -The Boys Of Summer- 4/5
This song took a little for me to get use to, I really did not like it at first. I still hear the original on the radio all the time, and think it was a pretty nice remake.

5. -El Condor Pasa- 3/5
This song kind of has a "tribal" feel to it. I like some of the beats... but a lot of it is a little to... uh... "primitive" in a way.

6. -Beautiful Smile- 2/5
I really did not enjoy this song. Many of the verses remind me of a fairy tail my parents use to read to me when I was younger.

7. -Unbreakable- 3/5
This is really just a normal trance/dance song you find in the club.

8. -Paradise Of Love- 3/5
This song does have a nice paradise/ocean feel to it, and is soothing.

9. -Vive El Presente- 3/5
I totaly do not like the lyrics in this song, nor the person singing it. The voice kind of scares me, and its just... scary. Once you get past that however, there are some nice beats.

10. -Take Me Back To Heaven- 3/5
I think this song kind of has an early 80's maybe 90's feel to it... especially with the singing. Some of the beats are okay.

11. -Sunchild- 2/5
I do not like this song, and it makes me think of masked people running around a fire, preforming voo-doo.

12. -Sunlight (Bossa Nova Vibes)- 1/5
This is a horrible remix, the whole jaz
z theme is just horrible. I can not even make it through the entire song.

13. -Heaven (Candlelight Mix)- 5/5
This is a beautiful slow version of Heaven, sang by Do. She really makes it beautiful, and it is perfect for someone special, and even at a Wedding.

Overall, this CD was okay. I would however recommend DJ Encore Feat. Engelina "Intuition" either in addition to, or instead of DJ Sammy's CD. I loved almost every single track on DJ Encore's CD, and Engelina has a very beautiful voice, and doesn't make it sound warped/weird as Yanou does. I would def. give it a listen.

Total Score: 42/65

Obviously the most well-known hit single here is "Heaven" (the cover version of Bryan Adams's old song). But rest assured that the other songs in this album are surprisingly well-done. Some other remixes are "California Dreamin'" and "The Boys Of Summer. DJ Sammy himselves collaborated with other song writers to come up with beautiful songs such as:"Beautiful Smile" & "Vive El Presente" (which I find to be very similar to an old hit single by Gazebo).

You will also find a nice slow-tempo version of "Heaven" played with only piano in the background. What a delightful tune !!

So, if you're a fan of dance-oriented music. You should pick up this album. All the songs in this album are well-done. You won't be disappointed. Peace !!

DJ Sammy's album "Heaven" is second only to 4 Strings' "Believe" (because you can't beat 4 Strings' vocalist). The songs on this disc are very elaborate and upbeat (don't get me wrong, I love dark techno like Ralph Falcon's "Dark Beat", so this is a pretty big deviation for me). The standout tracks are, of course, "Heaven", "Sunlight", "The Boys of Summer", and the updated "California Dreamin'", which I am tempted to say is better than the Royal Gigolos' recent attempt at bringing the Mamas and the Papas to the dancefloor. All in all, I'm a little startled by the harsh reviews I've seen; though I'm a lightweight when it comes to trance, I have to say this is much better and more comprehensive than, say, Tiesto. I'd suggest listening to the samples; if you like those, you'll simply love the album.

I'll still be playing this cd. It was an impulse buy that I listened to at the store. Once I heard the first four songs, I had to have it. So good to hear remixes of songs whose artists I have always listened to. It kept me wanting more! If you are a dance fanatic, you should definitely give this one a try.

To tell you the truth I was frankly ... getting tired of these songs being over played on the local radio station.
But one night I was on the job at a local club that hosts concerts and Dj sammy and Lonna came to perform. THEY WERE AWESOME!! the cd actually does little justice for they're actual energy and enthusiasm. Once I heard them live I went right out and bought this cd because I really love that song "Beautiful Smile." Loona is beautiful and Dj Sammy is energetic and lovable.
They took the time to sign autographs for everyone waiting and even took pics with me and my friends.. but anyway... the cd is a great reminder of a great night. You should get this one to start you off... shop around for more of DJ SAMMY and LOONA as well!!!

DJ Sammy was rumoured to have had releases before this one, though almost no one could tell you for sure because only one fact is true. He was virtually unheard of until "Heaven", his remake of the Bryan Adams power ballad from the early nineties, exploded through the dance stations and caught everyone by surprise. Only DJ Sammy would think of that song in a techno sense, and thank "heaven", *chuckles*...
1. California Dreamin' -- No one over twelve can say they haven't heard this song in some form, whether the original, or the Beach Boys' remake. This one is a lot more appealing, although Loona's voice has a curious accent to it. Contrary to popular assumption, DJ Sammy stays true to the lyrics. Most DJ's nowadays try to create a remake that is as long as possible, with as little words as possible. That's why people who despise Techno depsise Techno. But with this glorious and frustratingly catchy riff off an all-time favorite, he brings the glorious sounds of the underground and surfaces them with pop-length and pop-lyric structure. Very impressive.

2. Heaven -- Two remakes in a row. A hint? Maybe. But at least they're both ear candy. The female vocalist, known only as "Do", appears to have a great deal more control over her sound than the afore-mentioned Loona. She appears here along with her counterpart, Yanou. The effects pulse strongly in sync' with the beat, and the noticeably more powerful voice of Do doesn't hurt. Great song, very cool.

3. Sunlight -- Again, the girl with the curious accent. Loona appears five times on this disc, once in a remix, leading the listner to assume she and the DJ know each other pretty well. Anyway, Sunlight brings the listener back underground to what appears to be DJ Sammy's true home. This is the first original composition on the disc and is probably one of the best. The riffs seem to have come from California Dreamin', but the rythmic pattern is closer to Heaven. This song is what actually introduces the listener to what the majority of this project consists of. Not bad.

4. The Boys Of Summer -- Loona returns. As an experienced listener, I can set the record straight on this song. Most of my friends claim that this song was remade after The Ataris did theirs. Wrong. Not only did The Ataris do theirs after this, they practically copied this one. DJ Sammy produces a very cathcy riff with the soaring airy and sky-ish effects that is almost completely [imitated] by the Ataris. All they did was speed it up, and adapt the riff to be able to be played on the guitar at that speed, that's it. The Ataris even played their interpretation in the same frickin key as is on here! Check for yourself, you'll find both remakes are in G flat major. So, who copied who? The Ataris copied this one. Personally, I like this one better.

5. El Condor Pasa -- An interpretation of an old Spanish fold song. DJ Sammy probably discovered this song through Simon & Garfunkels '78 translation of it. However there is, ironically, no sung words in either English or Spanish. This is where it gets strange. The voice is not singing, but speaking, in not either of these languages, but in French! That caught me off guard. I had no idea what he was saying, but hey Sammy, it's your CD. Musically, it is most similar to Heaven, exccept for two things. One, there are more slow parts here, and two, during the slow parts an ethnic flute takes the lead. It's like exotic Techno. It's a pun in itself, but it's very cool.

6. Beautiful Smile -- Loona's back again! Only one stanza worth of lyrics here. Much more like commercial Techno. This song shows DJ Sammy's versatility. The lyrics are vague, and not in a poetic way. Assuming DJ Sammy wrote the words himself, one would have a greater understanding to why he likes remaking things...he can't write good words for his own songs. The song almost disappoints the listener, but right when one is tempted to skip to the next, it changes. Silence emits, then in the far distance you hear a new and better riff with more effect creeping slowly upon you. Soon, it's soaring just like the rest of the CD. This is a good PSYKE!!! song.

7. Unbreakable -- Michelle Tabu needs some freakin VOICE LESSONS!!! I'd take even Loona above this girl. She can't control her voice worth [anything]. Two stanzas here. Predictable riff, excluding the awesome piano. If not for the piano in this song, I'd hate it. The only decent effects are at the very beginning and even that little interlude is nothing special.

8. Paradise Of Love -- I have nothing against instrumental Techno. But this one bothers me. It never changes keys and it never has a leading riff. It's like listening to a 5 1/2 minute introduction to another song, but the othe song never comes. Not very good here.

9. Vive El Presente -- This is where DJ Sammy really starts to flaunt his dark side. The deep bass guest-voice of one known only as Dicaprio gently rumbles with spoken words the Spanish poem of guidance (Vive El Presente) which encourages one to be ambitious and live in the present, thus the title. Despite the words of positive advice, the song is dark. To me, the music itself illustrates combat with certain demons, whether personal or tangeable. If the words were English, they would clash with the mood. But the beautifully mysterious sound of the Spanish dialect blends perfectly with this dark and suspenseful song.

10. Take Me Back To Heaven -- La Bouche is featured here. If I'm correct, she had a hit called "Be My Lover". Her voice is not as good as she thinks it is. I agree that this song requires a soulful black voice, but was La Bouche the only choice? This is another very dark song about conflict and just wanting out. The riffs don't impress me much. When given the choice between this song and another from this cd with the same mood, I'd go with the previous, Vive El Presente.

11. Sunchild -- Another instrumental. The title mistakenly leads the listener to believe that the vibe of this song would be similar to Sunlight...the soaring feel good synthesizers and such. Wrong. More than anything this song reminds me of Paradis of Love. Remember all the negatives I had with that song? Well apply them here.

12. Sunlight (Bossa Nova Vibes) -- An interesting reanimation, but the original is better. If you've ever played Pilotwings on the Super Nintendo, you'd say this song would fit nicely there.

13. Heaven (Candlelight remix) -- Very classy. Very classy indeed. DJ Sammy does the piano here, as in all the songs with piano in them. Apparently, piano is his primary instrument, and I dare say he is quite good at it. Do is back, of course, for this one, along with her counterpart, Yanou. I personally think Do should have appeared for more than just two interpretations of the same song. Imagine her singing The Boys Of Summer. That would be so much better than Loona. This was the mainstream hit of Heaven. Meaning, in other words, that the stations that didn't want to play the Techno version, played this one. DJ Sammy was clever enough to split the power-ballad idea that Adams had, and take into two seperat parts...power and ballad. The first version was the power, here's the ballad. Very cool. Buy the CD.

Ok, it seems that this cd has recieved a great many negative reviews. This would make most people believe that this is a mediocre cd at best. But let me asure you that this is anything but simply mediocre. By reading the negative reviews, it seems that those reviews have only listened to the songs that have been overplayed on the radio. They are probably also the kind of people who hate anything that will get played on the radio. This seems to make the review a little untrustworthy, now dosn't it? Now I myself hate the current radio stations, at least those that I get, they play music that is repetiouse, uninspired, and very often just plain bad. But that dosn't mean everything put on the radio is horrid.

My opinion of the cd, as reflected by my rating of five stars, is that this cd is quite a good listen. While the tracks that have had radio play have been played far too often, and if you listen to the radio constantly, I can understand how that could make you dislike those tracks. But, basing your entire review on that fact alone, or just upon hearing those tracks is not a very good, or even well informed review.

While I myself generally skip over "Heaven" (which was the track I origionally bought the cd for) because of hearing it far too often back when I did listen to the radio, the others are still rather enjoyable. First you have the tracks that seem to be the only ones the reviewers who gave the cd a bad rating for. These are those that are more along the style of lighter trance (sometimes called bubblegum trance, usually as a derogatory term), but that does not make them bad. The female vocals on these are very good, and the synth lines are actually well thought out and tend to give one the urge to dance a little.

Now you get to the tracks that most of the reviewers have never heard. These are slower and do not include any female vocals, sometimes little or no vocals at all. They have DJ Sammy (I believe) doing the vocals himself. Much of these are in languages other then English. They seem to be based on native folk songs or just more native tunes. While they are in no way native or folk songs, they simply have influences from them (including a small peice of Simon & Garfunkle's for those of you who pay close enough attention). These tracks are where the album truly shines. They convey a grand level of emotion and many are truly beautifull. They are the kind of tracks that you listen to and you find yourself floating away with the song.

So as you can see, there is much more to this album then most of the reviewers seem to think there is. Even the parts that the negative reviewers were aware and most critical of, are actually quite a bit better then they give them credit for.

In general, my sugestion for reviewers is, 1: Don't review music without an open mind, 2: If you are going to review something, don't base your review on a couple songs you heard on the radio or at a club, 3: If you don't like the genre of music you are reviewing to begin with, don't waste your, and everyone elses time with a review(I.E. a strict metalhead should not review a synth album, or a teeny bopper should not review a goth album).

In the end, I hope this has helped describe the album in a way that might help influence your desision to purchase or not to purchase this album. But remember, in the end, it dosn't matter what I, or anyone else thinks. Listen to the samples and make a desision for yourself. You will be the one listening to the album, and you won't have any of the reviewers coming over to your house and praising or insulting you for your choice of purchase. I also hope this puts into persepective some (but not nessisarily all) of the negative (and quite possibly positive) reviews. Remember this is music, it's not something that is limited to one culture, sub-culture, nationality, or race; it is something for everyone to enjoy. It is one of the only things in this world that truly spans the many borders we all experiance in our lives.

I orignially purchased this CD due to the song "Heaven" and was pleasantly surprised to find not only a video on the CD, but also was introduced to Eurodance music. This is a wonderful CD to relax with....enjoy.

Heaven - a remake of Bryan Adams popular 1985 Pop Hit, is actually sung by a beautiful young Dutch artist by the name of Dominique van Hulst. She is featured in the song's video of which is also on the DJ Sammy and Yanou featuring Do - CD. "Do" has several hit songs in the Netherlands and is very well known in Europe. She has had several CD-Singles. Her debut CD simply titled "Do", and a new release "Follow Me" is worth the trouble finding. I have purchased her CDs through on-line music stores found in the United Kingdom. Her voice is simply beautiful and her CDs are nothing less than awesome. Thanks DJ Sammy.

The track "Heaven" is excellent for listening to on the MP3 (iPod) especially when doing high intensity workout. I purchsed just this cut "Heaven" from iTunes, but can't transfer the song to other mediums (as it's protected. Thinking about buying the entire CD, so I am checking out the other tracks and a lot of it is quite enjoyable and I am thinking seriously of buying the entire CD. I guess your rating depends on a lot of different factors -- mainly it's different for everyone.

In fact, this is my first intro to DJ Sammy and I NOW see that he's been around for a while!! Where have I been? Well, off to buy one of his CD's in full. Note: I see that only 4 stars appear, although I chose 5.