Customer Reviews

Hed Kandi: Serve Chilled 3

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

 

 

Four stars, because I did not quite fall for CD 1. While it does have some solid tracks and artits, like Rae & Christian and Badmarsh & Shri, the overall feel of that one puts me a few steps closer to slumperland.

But CD 2... wow. The funny thing is that I picked this up actually at the same time I had picked up Brazilectro vol 2. And to be honest, what attracted me most to this cd was, in reality, the artists on CD 2. Bebel Gilberto, Los Ladrones and I was on a mad craze to find out more information about S-Tone Inc. The feel of the second disc definitely is latin, and specifically, new bossa nova. In addition to who I jsut mentioned, you also haer Racoon's popular club track "Sensacao", and Butterfinger's "Wanna Go" and a perfect wind-down is Atjazz's "Harmony".

Most of the artists are near impossible to find, so it seems, and the tracks are presented in full. You don't feel slighted at all with a commercial tidbit of a track. This really is a chill-cd, and I highly recommend it. From start to finish (of disc 2), it takes you on a tour - of the beach. From noon to sunset, with a splash of ambiance.

In addition to this disc, I would definitely recommend spidering out and picking up a few of the artists featured. Bebel Gilberto's Tanto Tempo is a no brain selection, as is AtJazz's Labfunk. Los Ladrone's "Montana Rusa" is also a very very good release. S-Tone Inc.'s "Arejar" had been given a tremendous face-lift from fellow label artists Soulstance, who make the track sound every bit of its name in the compilation "Brazilectro Vol. 4". Be forewarned though - This track is on S-Tone Inc's release "Free Spirit", and the cd itself is not quite the same sound as this. Enjoy!

All of Hed Khandi's stuff is good. It reminds me of the naked music label. This is a nice set of vocal, chill tracks to lounge back to. The second CD has an Ibiza influance which I can take it or leave it, lots of spanish beat tracks. Im not a fan of that so the 4 stars.

My title may be corney, but accurate. Serve Ch. 1 was fantastic, instant classic. Served Ch.2 slipped, not as good, spotty at best. However, Served Ch. 3 is back on target and as whole is what Served Ch. 2 tried to accomplished. Every tune is mellow without putting you to sleep. This is the perfect party, rooftop, sunbathing dinner party and beach cd. A Must BUY. Smooth grooves on CD1 and laid back latin grooves on CD2.

What is it?
As with all Hed Kandi releases, two dozen or so full length records are collected for your listening pleasure. Here 26 "True Chill Out Tracks" are evenly split between Ibiza-level beach chill and (decidedly better) Latin flavors.

And?
Disc one's a bit skimpy: Organic Audio effortlessly offer carefree spirit with their ode "Always the Sun." Fug drop the slow jam "Ready For Us," a breathtaking combination of laid back instrumentation and faint vocal that shows up most of the chiller filler on here. Excepting duos Badmarsh & Shri and Rae & Christian, it's sadly all by the numbers fare the rest of the way. And why is it that Chris Coco can deliver quality mixes but come up short with his own work - here the scratch & vocoder (!) combo "Gemini."

But?
Thankfully disc two saves the day, seeking South America for inspiration. Warm, friendly and lively Latin fare abounds, from sprightly piano nod Zimpala "To The Bass," the soft hues of Bebel Gilberto's multilingual "August Day Song," flute, horn and wordless coo of Los Ladrones ace "La Septima Ola," welcome instrumentals from Cantoma and Butterfinger, with added bonus bossa faves S-Tone Inc. Throw in five more pieces of equal appeal, subtract discordant ape-sound filled duffer "Sensacao's" and you've got one of Hed Kandi's better start to finish efforts.

So?
Why can't the Kandi crew deliver consistent work like this more often? Sort it out folks! Disc 1: 2.5 stars Disc 2: 4 stars

This is the third installment of Hed Kandi's "Serve Chilled" series, a collection of downtempo grooves for those who just rather stay in and relax. The set features two discs, and they are both entirely different beasts in terms of flavor and quality. Disc 1 is pretty much standard chillout fare, a few jazzed-up numbers, some electronica, and a little bit of ambient. Much of the material on this disc is quite enjoyable and very listenable, but very little of it is memorable. Disc 2, however, is the Real Deal. Giving sensual Latin grooves, this second disc is easily the better of the two, and it's enough to make "Serve Chilled 3" worth both your time and money. Strokes of percussion, tasty guitars and spicy vocals make up the disc with standout tracks like Butterfinger's aptly-titled "Wanna Go Somewhere and Chill?," The Memheads' "Barabeu," and Cantoma's "Pandajero." This disc really gave me images of a relaxing sun-drenched August afternoon by the beach. Had "Serve Chilled 3" consist solely of Disc 2, I would have given this baby five stars without hesitation. Alas, we have the inferior Disc 1 so I have to dock a star. An overall rather good compilation.

This is the last installment in the SERVE CHILLED series. You get two discs that are entirely different. Disc one is your standard chillout music, with some jazz, electronica. Disc two has a more latin flair to it, with some interesting drums, guitars and vocals. It is easily the better of the two discs. Not that disc one is bad but if it were more like disc two, this would be a perfect compilation. Excellent compilation!

I have been looking for more music in the "trip-hop", downbeat, chill genre, so picked this up after hearing some tracks on Radio Free Virgin. I have worn out my St Germain's Tourist CD and Cujo's [Amon Tobin] Adventures in Foam

CD 2 is a solid listen through from start to finish. Bright and catchy, I especially liked some of the tracks for their Latin beats. You can throw it on at a cocktail party, or even background music at work. The songs that I bought it for was Butterfinger's "Wanna go somewhere and chill" and At Jazz's "Harmony".

CD 1 I just couldn't stomach. Way too smooth, no funk, rhythm or soul IMHO on that CD. But CD 2 makes up for it in spades and makes the 2 CD set money well spent.

Unless banal Brazilian filler is your definition of "chill-out" then don't listen to the other reviewers. Disc ONE is the TRUE chillout disc. Disc 2 isn't too bad but doesn't even come close to the quality of Disc 1. (Umm, people, it's a CHILLOUT compilation not a BEACH HOUSE compilation - why on earth is there latino house towards the end of disc 2??)

Disc 1 has Memorable stuff, that has tunes which stick out and you find yourself humming later on and playing in your head. Fac 15's "Stay With Me 'Till Dawn" is a phenomenal piece of vocal work - perfect for watching the last stages of a sunset with that significant other. Salt Tank's "Eugina", originally a progressive house classic, is taken to a whole new world with this new vocal downtempo version. "Gemini" and "La Croisic" are perfect examples of Chris Coco's unparalleled production talents. Illumination's "Somewhere Out There" is a soothing-yet-haunting chill track with a great keyboard riff which will stay in your mind forever. Other highlights include Outside's "Shaversham" and Companion's "Run", both of which remind me of Seal's early work (listen for the piano arrangement towards the end of "Run" - absolutely stellar). My absolute favorite track on this disc though is Fug's "Ready For Us" - phenomenal accoustic work!!!!!! It's one of those tracks that's 7 minutes long but doesn't drag on cause it changes tempo towards the end. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the breakdowns!!!!!! Makes my hairs stand on end.

I'm not even gonna talk about the 2nd disc cause I don't think there's really anything on there worth mentionning. Plus every other review's done enough of that already.

HED KANDI COMPILATIONS ARE GETTING WORSE AND WORSE......THIS ONE BEING ONE OF THE WORST IVE HEARD!! ITS SAFE TO SAY THAT BETTER THE GRAPHICS/WORSE THE COMPILATION!! IF U MUST WASTE $...ISH DOLLARS..............GIVE IT TO THE POOR!! WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT HED KANDI SHOULD DO WITH THE PROFITS!! EVERY SONG IS A BLUR OF BOREDOM, ITS THE ULTIMATE IN NON-MUSIC!! IF U WANT SUM GREAT CHILL-OUT/LO-FI TRAKS TUNE INTO ZERO 7'S 'SIMPLE THINGS' OR A GREAT UK COMPILATION CALLED 'CLUBBED TO DEATH' IS PRETTY BRILLIANT!! IF HED KANDI SPENT AS MUCH EFFORT ON THEY'RE ARTWORK AS THEY'RE MUSIC CONTENT WE WOULD ALL BE IN LUCK!!! AS OF YET.... NONE SUCH LUCK. DREADFUL.