Customer Reviews

Language

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

 

 

Somewhere, a femme basks in the glow of the spring sun. The warmth from outside and within overflows, creating an expression of joy that can't be easily deciphered. Somewhere, a blader skates for a moment on a perfect road. Smooth, black asphalt that stretches for an eternity. With a touch of agility, the blades dance back and forth like Eddie Palmeri. Somewhere, a couple is making up after a knockdown drag-out fight. Caresses and soft words create an internal rhythm. Somewhere, a person reflects on his life and the lives of those his touched.

This is Joe Claussell, the groove guru. You should be familiar with his name by now, but if not, he is a superstar of house. Creator of the Body & Soul movement in NYC, this album shows what all the commotion is about. Listening to Language is a joy. It recalls the genuine latin feel of NuYorican Soul and the soulful feel of house maven Roy Davis Jr. or Ashley Beedle.

Listen to this album and you will feel as if you are connected with everything. Spiritually connected with every human on Earth, every animal walking or flying or swimming, every star that twinkles in the night, the past, present and future. It speaks to what is life.

This album for me hits it's stride with "Marco Polo", a truly beautiful, jazzy track with a hardcore piano workout over a strong house beat. Not only does it inspire me to kick off my boots and dance, it causes me to reflect inside. Sweet. "Kryptic Elements" throws off the gloves, adding strings to it's Afro-house blend. The violin is the driving force in this potent mixture. "Gbedu Resurrection" literally sounds like a track made by Fela Kuti or Tony Allen. Recline on a river of bass with "Mateens Theme", a nice mellow track.

Language is compelling, yet engages you only as much as you feel like letting it. It's house music on the mellow side of life. The only downside is that I wish there were more tracks to this puppy. Otherwise, the album is flawless. It's enjoyable from beginning to end.

Somewhere, someone is glad they have this CD.

Joe Claussell...the man got skills! For the true House Head, Joe will take you there, keep you there and bring you back--just like those old school House tracks that hardly anyone seems to make anymore.

The DJ/remixer wastes no time on this track driven CD, and each track fades in and fades out (no continuous mix here). Heralding forth first is "Spiritual Insurrection" with its constant heavy beat, piano riffs, African influence, rolling bassline and percussion for days. It is over eight minutes of African ambience at its greatest. Lemme see you shimmy!

"Git Wa" follows and continues the smooth House groove, highlighted by potent percussion, an electric guitar riff and the high pitched piccolo, which results in a lethal House equation. It's enough to encourage the listener to chant and get lost in the spirit of the groove. Eleven minutes of unadulterated House heaven--rest assured--and the way it was meant to be.

"Marco Polo" slams the House beat from the get go, ushering in the funky bassline and keyboard chord. No doubt a strong contemporary Jazz flavor right here. The frenetic "Kryptic Elements" get straight down to business, showcasing the congas, cymbal ting, tambourine tap, lush violin strings and classical cello sounds. Truly, House emcompasses and embraces all forms of music and this track demonstrates just one of the many couplings House is capable of.

Closing out the release is the dub version of Ten City's "Suspicious," which was embraced in the clubs back in the day. The dub version accents driving keyboard chords, steady bassline and drumstick tap of the Deep House classic. Listen out for the chorus by Byron Stingily, Herb Lawson and Byron Burke.

House Heads stay up cuz this joint is off the hook. It's still here, just look deeper. Comparable comparisons to this joint include "Basic Blaze" by Blaze, "One Starry Night" by Kevin Yost and "Planet House" by Gene Farris. Overall, "Language" is a fulfilling assault on the ears and not to be missed.

I dig the African and Brazilian influence in house music and Joe really brings it out in so many ways. It can be smooth, tribal, chill-out, trancy, you name it. But it's all good...

I just want to say that this is one of the top ten house cds I have. I own hundreds of titles on House music and this is an absolute masterpiece. I wont even bother saying anything about the music, if you are reading this review, you know who Joe Claussell is and what kind of music he produces. So if you like his thing, this is his finest moment.
This title has been deleted, so buy it now if you still can. You can be sure that you wont regret it.

The best mix C.D I own is Joe Claussell's Mix the Vibe on Nite Grooves records.This disc is not as varied as that collection and I find myself skipping through the tracks searching for the tunes that don't begin with the same drum opening.Nonetheless if deep Afro inspired house is your thing great enjoyment can be had with this album.Collaboraters Marc Cary ,Kerri Chandler and Ten City all make excellent contributions as do Jay Collins ,Ronnie Jordan and on the outstanding Je Ka Jo "Olatunji Babatunji. This set will stand the test of time ,Gbedu Resurrection and Spiritual Insurrection alone being enough of a reason for purchase. I look forward 2 the next installment.

If I may, Joe is one of three DJs at Body & Soul. The others are Francois K and Danny Krivit, both of whom are well worth checking out.

This album is just so smooth. Everyone should buy this album.

If you are the least bit interested in House music, buy this CD. To my mind this is one of the best and yet, at the same time, most accessible discs I've heard. How many times have I put this on, hesitated, and then proceeded to groove for the next hour? Mad.

First I heard "je ka jo.." song on "..thedownbeat..::..bedroombeats.." radiostation at live365.com and felt in love, what a great music! Little havy but rhythmic sound, bit jazzy and energetic, amazing music. I am certainly planning on buying his CD.