Customer Reviews

Hi-Fidelity Lounge 1

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

We have come to expect high quality music from the Chicago based label Guidance ever since their first release but what this label has been releasing lately is absolutely stunning. Just when you think Guidance has reached its top, there they are with fresh releases that blow your ears. With this new compilation, Guidance records goes head to head with the "More space to dance" compilation on Alola for the title of best compilation of '99. Now, what's Hi-Fidelity Lounge? Well, it's the slickest and smokiest acidjazz-funk-groove compilation on planet earth. Flywheel with "Slowdown" and Louise Vertigo with "Ou est la femme" immediately set the mood. A super warm and heavy bass sound on a relaxing tempo. Every musical ingredient balanced just right without any sharp edges. Marschmellows and "SoulPower" as well as AtJazz and "Wild Sea" go a little more uptempo for a groove with the first featuring an attracting bass guitar and a touch of garage, the latter nice atmospheric synths. Guidance goes Europe as well, with a selection from Extended Spirit and "Solid Water", the now well known and already classic Rainer Truby remix. Another noteworthy track is the one from Bobby Hughes and "Seasons". A jazzfusion track with heavy sixties influence and a remarkable female voice saying "hey wake up." Finally, the Guidance compilation closes with one of Guidanceown most remarkable artists of this moment : Paul Hunter! Paul Hunter and "Paul's Pal" reminds us a little of an old Aretha Franklin track, it's acid jazz at its best. We are already eager for his forthcoming album. All in all, the Hi-Fidelity Lounge is 60 minutes of pure musical pleasure!

This mix has no hint of smooth jazz, and I love it. Some of the Acid Jazz compilations I have listened to recently have sounded like Kenny G at his best. And I HATE Kenny G.

The artists on High Fidelity Lounge keep the music cool, but funky. Something to chill out to. Notobossa, by the Funky Lowlives mixes some killer flute and a great bassline to make for one of my favorite songs on the disc. The Marshmellows track, soulpower is another great one.

This CD shows that Acid Jazz will have nothing to do with the smooth jazz junk that somehow makes its way into the category. Keep it that way and give this CD a listen.

Guidance can do no wrong at present and with this compilation, Hi:Fidelity Lounge, the first compilation in a new series, look set to reach new heights amongst the UK's jazz clubbers with an incredibly funky selection of abstract and club jazz tunes. Amongst them are gems from Flywheel with the flute-led "Slowdown", At Jazz's "Wind & Sea", Bobby Hughes' "Seasons" and a superb Trüby Trio rework of Extended Spirit's "Solid Water". Elsewhere, Trüby Trio's label mates Jazzanova, turn in a superb rework of Marschmellows' soulful vocal cut "Soulpower" and Paul Hunter's downbeat hammond groove "Paul's Paul" is another of those afterdark grooves with monster hip hop beats on a cut that also features some phat horns and vocals. Without doubt, one of the most impressive albums these ears have heard for a while - just point me in the direction of that Hi:Fidelity lounge!

Guidance Recordings is pleased to announce the release of Hi-Fidelity Lounge, the first volume in a compilation series exploring the diverse spectrum of sounds emerging from the backroom bars, restaurants and lounges of our planet's urban centers. The subterranean selections on this album are a reflection of the eclectic and open minded musical program that has transformed these venues into a vital and welcome alternative to the corporate club experience. Downbeat masters Jazzanova, Rainer Truby, Paul Hunter, Thievery Corporation, The Mighty Bop and more serve up a tantalizing blend of trip hop, jazz, funk, soul, swing and bossa nova custom made for chilling at your local cocktail lounge, bouncing on your barstool or groovin on the dancefloor.

I own a few downtempo albums (Kruder + Dorfmeister, Thievery Corporation, Tosca, some compilations like Hedkandi...) but this album its in my top three right now. I bougth it without knowing all the performers(but Thievery), and i can tell you i got no regrets. All of the songs are full of groovy down beats with a latin flava, this doesnt mean that this is just another compilation of bossanova or acid jazz with the downtempo label on it (no way!!), this is for real. This album is perfect to just clear up your mind and relax. Buy it if you like chillout music (K+D, Thievery...) or you are just looking for something amazing at amazon.

This cd is a must for almost anyone who likes groovy music. Its full of great tracks from house-influenced tracks to triphop and jazz. I just love the two last tracks. This is definately one of the best cd's I've ever bought.

As house fans grow older, the kids that pushed the scene back in the 80's and early 90's are more likely to hang out at a lounge than a club, where they will still want their music as good as their house music. Guidance, once again, has managed to define a niche and a need, and of course has satisfied both. "Hi-Fidelity Lounge" is easier listening music that moves the mind and the body without being overpowering or begging for attention. The A&R work is top shelf and all of the cuts help further the vibe of that long ago visited lounge with the music you've been humming ever since. More sedate, the sound's never unfunky. Cuts like "Slowdown" by Flywheel, "Lebanese Blond" by Thievery Corporation and "Notabossa" by the Funky Lowlives deserves to be mentioned. Kruder and Dorfmeister may have first brought this sound to a wider audience, but the artists here truly deserve the accolades. Guidance is know for quality and this release only furthers their reputation.

This is one of the funkiest chill-out albums I've ever heard. Even though it was released in 1999, this is lounge music for the 21st century. My favorite song is by the D.C. based Thievery Corporation, but there really isn't any track that I skip over at all. Fantastic grooves reminiscent of Blue States, Baby Mammoth and sometimes Medeski, Martin & Wood. Whether you're chillin', driving around, or just sitting at the computer typing reviews ..., this is a great album.

I went to buy some gifts for christmas 1999. Entering the very good music shop "Loud" in Copenhagen it is totally impossible leaving without purchasing at least two cd's. One of my purchases was this one. I went home and put the cd in my stereo. And suddenly I heard a relatively new sound in my ears. It is a real nice and smooth cd starting your whole "lounging travelling" through a cosmos of only happy and harmonic experiences! The cd starts with the very nice and harmonic track "Slowdown" by Flywheel taking you further into next track " Ou est la femme?" by Louise Vertige. An absolutely perfect transition! I remembered especially taking notice of track no. 3 "Lebanese Blonde" by Thievery Corporation in a great instrumental version. The cd is recommendable because of the very different material. It differs from slow harmonic grooves to more funkyer ones as track no. 4 "Wind & sea" by At Jazz the real latin orientated guitar track with nice congas drums "Notabossa" by The Funky lowlives. This is absolutely a cd you will not regret purchasing!!

I picked this CD up on a recent visit to Frankfurt. It has been in my CD player constantly for a more than a week now. Infectious is the best description I can give. Probably the Latin rhythms that make up much of the background. Track seven is my current favorite. I hope there is a second volume in the works!