Customer Reviews

Jazz Chillout

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

 

 

I seriously doubt that anyone who calls these selections "thoughtless, boring, non-artistic earworms" has actually sat down and listened to these tracks. Since first listening to this compilation 2 years ago I've been turned on to some of freshest experimental jazz the industry has to offer.

I don't think it's possible to listen to Erik Truffaz or Jason Moran and honestly claim that their music is thoughtless or non-artistic. One could hardly lump Medeski, Karl Denson or Lonnie Smith in with produce section jazz.

Don't listen to an inconsistent review from someone who hasn't actually listened to this album. These are great selections from some of the finest artists on the scene. This album is more than worth the price. It provides a great listening experience and a starting point for anyone who wants to explore some hip music.

For all of us who would like to have some background music just to hang around the house... this is perfect music.

However, if you're into "chill music" for whatever reasons, this will do; just turn down the volume a bit.

As a compilation, these discs works well. Between St.Germain, Norah Jones singing Bryan Ferry, and the (now)unfortunately named "Slow Bombing The World", you'll be ready for Disc 2.

Medeski, Martin and Wood open the second disc with "The Dropper", one of their classics.

You'll almost finish the second CD (which is very good) with US3 playing one of the most requested songs *anywhere*...Cantaloop ("Flip Fantasia"). Warning! This is *without* the "biddy, biddy bop...funky, funky..."

But between the funky tunes are lo-fi hip hop, a bit of soul, a touch of jazz...this 2 CD set is an awful lot of fun and well worth the money!

This is a tasty, generous, laid-back sampler of some of the best contemporary jazz out there. Sure, there's a lot of cross-pollination with pop and hip-hop evident here, but that only broadens its appeal. And it's a damn sight better than most of the other "smooth jazz" compilations I've heard, which usually come off as Muzak with sax. There's enough funk and cool musicianship to keep it above most of that other pap. There are familiar names here: Norah Jones, St. Germaine, US3, Medeski Martin and Wood, and Cassandra Wilson, with the dash of hip-hop provided by Guru (from his intriguing "Jazzmatazz" project) and Soulive. And there are some "classic" jazz artists too, like Stanley Turrentine, Donald Byrd, Grant Green, and Julie London (!). All in all, it's indeed a chillin' mix, great for background, parties, or late-night listening.

This is corporate garbage, these songs are the early morning melodies in the produce section of your favorite mass-supermarket. I'm not kidding, these songs ARE played at supermarkets, thoughtless, boring, non-artistic earworms.
Just to keep you informed, most independent "reviews" on Amazon are actually the band's or Amazon's promo. Every cd is GREAT all get 4-5 star ratings, nothing bad, buy, buy, buy! Take the worst cd you own and find it on this site, my oh my, look at those stars!