Customer Reviews

INCredible Sound of Gilles Peterson

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
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My friend originally bought this, but I have recorded it and listened to it so many times I think of this album as mine. When listening to this album you will think 'fantastic tunes' and 'impeccable taste'. Both are equally applicable to this fine double CD. Gilles Peterson is one of the most innovative and talented DJ's in the UK today and has done more than anyone to explore and redefine the genre of acid Jazz. The CD starts with some old-skool funk via George Clinton and then swiftly moves on past contempory stars Nyorican Soul, to some classic jazz treats. Don't worry if you haven't heard most of the tracks before, and therefore assume that they are mediocre unknowns or up-his-own-arse exclusive tracks. Every track in this CD is very cutting edge and a joy to listen to. I especially reccomend 'ohio' by the Isley brothers, pure genius- and mixed in after it is a beautiful song 'les fleurs' by minnie riperton, great voice. If you are looking to seriously expand you music collection and listen to tunes which will make you grin to, then buy this. I tell you, you will want to buy the album of nearly every track. Even better, tune into BBC Radio 1 on wednesday evening to hear the master at work.

The range of music is incredible. Really this is a collection of gems spanning decades and genres and yet mixed together with transparent expertise.

Because of this eclectic and obscure range, no matter how sophisticated you are, you will learn something about music by listening to this CD. I've listened to Peterson's Worldwide on KCRW for several years, and his range and influence and knowledge smack you in the face. He is most famous for starting Talking Loud and with it the Acid Jazz movement, which is in 2001 returning in full force in the nu-jazz movement (cf: Jazzanova, Kyoto Jazz Massive, Beatless, Nathan Haines, Truby Trio, Afronaut, and so on). But the range on this disk isn't just NEW music, and it isn't just JAZZ music, it's everything old and new, and that it is mixed together so smoothly is proof that Gilles Peterson is the world's greatest DJ. He is the DJ's DJ's DJ.

BUY THE IMPORT!!, it isn't just worth the extra money it is a spectacular deal. Precious gems. Something for everyone but for those with discerning taste for the greatest and most underground in any genre, it's diamonds and solid gold.

You'll find copy after copy of this release for sale, but only the single discs. Apparently a "condensed" version also flooded the market, but narrowing down Gilles' original choice of tracks doesn't approximate what he was trying to do from song to song. The import version (2-disc set) is vastly more impressive, and though it spans many genres, it's still musically cohesive and makes you want to witness one of his sets yourself someday...

Probably the only compilation CD I have been able to listen to from start to finish. Nuyorican Soul's "I Am The Black Gold Of The Sun" sets the pace, although the 4 Hero mix included here does not include Jocelyn Brown's lead vocal. Still they managed to give it some pretty fantastic drum'n'bass flourishes. The amazing Lenny Fontana's "Spread Love" closes out this CD in grand style. The song starts out with just the bass, the keyboards, and the voice; then the driving rhythm track kicks -- it's a dramatic progression that adds resonance to the lyrics. "Messages" by Critical Point w/ Vikter Duplaix is a jazzy deep-house track with an uplifting message that finds a happy home in this mix. As well, Minnie Riperton's "Les Fleur" is not at all out of place in this mix. A trippy slice of psychedelic soul that is in the same Fifth-Dimension-On -Acid vein as her stuff with Rotary Connection, "Les Fleur" almost sounds new in the company of these other great tracks.

Some of the best tracks are the ones I was totally unfamiliar with. "Skindo Le Le" by Alive! is a percussive latin-jazz jam that features a wonderful -- though sadly, unidentified -- female voice doing the lead. "I See" by MJ Cole is jazz inspired hip-hop in the same vein as Amel Larrieux and Adriana Evans. "Let The Sun Shine In" (not the song from HAIR) is a buoyant track anchored by steel drums and horns with a very committed, charmingly off-key choir chanting the chorus.

The standout track is Andy Bey's "River Man", a lovely acoustic ballad. Bey has a smoky baritone reminiscent of Billy Eckstine that glides just above the guitar and strings. "River Man" is not a new record so I'm ashamed to say I have never heard of the guy but I think he is my new favorite singer. Better late than never! This CD is a must have for the adventurous Jazz/Soul/Dance fan.

Ok, here's the deal: this is a fantastic cd. It is amazingly broad, filled with great tracks, and a superb listen. That said, in the UK, this is a double CD with tons more tracks and a completely different set order (which may explain why the mixing on this sounds a bit forced). As much as I like this CD, I regret not shelling out the extra few bucks for the import, so I could hear the whole thing. Fantastic, but a bit of a cheat.

I overheard this album while in Amsterdam in a music store. It sounded very contemparary/jazzy and was intended for my father as a gift. I later learned that it had more up beats and acid jazz routes than I originally thought. So I kept it. Definately a relax/comedown sort of disc with many interesting mixes. This is the same Giles Peterson that used to be on the BBC for some time. He really is a genius. I would recommend this double disc to anyone who likes acid jazz. It simply blew me a way.

Although I consider myself to have a pretty wide-ranging ear for music and sometimes believe I've heard it all, this was a revelation. I agree with the poster above who recommended the double-disc version (which I own). It plays more like an amazing compilation rather than an actual "mix-cd", but it really does make you want to run right out and buy something from every artist represented.

And when '4-Hero's' Nuyorican Soul remix of 'I Am the Black Gold of the Sun' drops, catch your jaw before it hits the floor!

My boy who's a house DJ put me onto this. We used to always be diggin crates in the village looking for great tunes and music fusion. Peterson has a big UK rep and rightfully so- he reminds me of what great DJs are supposed to be like. I Love this CD. Oh, and the great poet Sarah Jones drops her "Revolutioin" poem, saw her at Nuyorican cafe live one nite as a walk in- brown sugar mystical beauty!!

I purchased this on the strenghth of Peterson's reputation, the Desert Island Mix CD (worth having), and the other reviews posted on Amazon.com. It took months to find a copy but the wait was worth it. The selection of songs and artists is stellar. I couldn't imagine how the Underwolves, The Isley Brothers, Freddie Hubbard, Pharoah Sanders, Minnie Ripperton, A Tribe Called Quest and the rest could be mixed so smoothly and seamlessly but Peterson does it. He'll take you somewhere you won't want to leave.

Gilles Peterson, a long established Jazz Fusion DJ in the UK picks up a tantalizing composite of beats, rhythms and basslines to drive this compilation thru highs and lows. Unfortunately, this is the single CD version, so you'll be missing about half of the original released content which includes genres from Funkadelic, thru Brazilian, to Sara Jones' rap, banned in the USA for lyrical twists so fresh they blow your mind wide open. For what it's worth this is not a mix of well known tracks padded with garbage like you'll find on most various artist type compilations but is instead a true depth of music styles that truly represent just how original and serious this dude is. Forget DJ Krush, or stylised others, jus listen to music that'll sound fresher and stronger the longer its played