Customer Reviews

Lazy Dog, Volume 2

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Some would argue that this should not be compared to it's predecessor LD1, but in my eyes LD1 has become the standard by which ALL other deep house comps are measured. Disc 1 is dissapointing, oddly enough Ben Watt's mix was my favorite from the first comp. Tracy Thorn's vocals are strikingly absent, they brought a special life to the couple of cuts on LD1. The Sade, Lucy Pearl, and Sunshine Anderson remixes are particluarly weak, they are just weak songs with no deep house fervor and no amount of mixing can change that. This disc sounds like some top 40 club house night. There was no depth, jazz, or soul- Ben really dissapoints on Disc 1.
It picks up with Jay on Disc 2, reminsicent of Ben's disc in LD1 strangely enough! It get's really hot with the Kim English Been So Long cut that flows into the back breaking All That I Give and onward for a lil Latin flavor. Jay came right with his disc.
For twenty bucks, I got one really hot disc, one really wack one. I'm cool with it.

The first Lazy Dog double CD presented a deliciously deep menu of stunning tracks and has never been too far from my CD player. Imagine my joy then when I spied this follow up.

Am I disappointed? NO WAY! Ben and Jay have followed their impressive debut with something more than worthy, and even, dare I say it, better.

You can expect a beautifully crafted double set of deep, jazzy, latin influenced tunes that are wonderfully bass heavy. The mixing is superb and the thought and feeling that goes into each track transition really helps to build the tension.

For anyone that has never been to a Lazy Dog night, these CDs will give you a taste of what to expect in the comfort of your own living room, which although is very nice indeed, still can't beat actually being there.

What are you waiting for?

i originally wrote a review for LD2 when it first came out, saying that it was pretty good but not to be compared with LD1, an absolute rare gem of a masterpiece in the realm of house music today. now, about a year after i wrote my original review of LD2, i wholeheartedly take that statement back. after exploring the album a little bit more deeply in recent weeks, i have decided, at least imho, that LD2 is every bit as smoking as LD1; gem masterpiece status achieved with flying colors. like LD1, LD2 contains all of the four types of grooves that made LD1 so hot:

1) latin-flavored grooves (LD1: 'Cada Vez', LD2: 'Sereia')
2) retro-sounding grooves (LD1: 'Love Don't Live', LD2: 'No Win Situation')
3) funky grooves (LD1: 'Mighty Power of Love', LD2: 'I Know You, I Live You')
4) just plain hot grooves (LD1: 'That Day', LD2: 'Been So Long')

also, like LD1, the killer-to-filler ratio on LD2 is so high that my mind keeps changing about which cut is my favorite. LD albums are the rare exceptions in house music compilations for which it is easier to count the number of songs you DON'T like than the number of ones that you do. (if you like the LD's, check out some Naked Music albums mixed by Miguel Migs; they are similar to the LD stuff and there is no mistaking that the quality is tight like it is on the LD's). right now, as i write this review, i am listening to my current favorite on LD2: 'My Love For You.' it is not impressive technically like some other LD cuts, mostly on their first effort, like 'Mighty Power of Love', 'Ain't No Running Away', etc., but it has that 'hot' quality that i just totally dig. i could go on for hours discussing every nuance of every LD cut whether you want to talk technical, musical or emotional, but i'll save myself the effort of writing it and you the effort of reading it right here: this album is sick, you need to get it, like now. take this from a somewhat accomplished jazz/electro-funk musician/composer who has been collecting quality house music for the past ten years. i have over 100 cd's (and quite a few GB's on my PC) of just house and my four LD cd's are some of the best stuff i own, right up there with my Naked Music albums and the pride of my collection, the entire 'Sessions' series from MOS which is mostly out of print now.

Seldom are cds able capture the atmosphere of a club but this one does!! Lazy dog is the best party in London and this cd is brilliant!! Ben and Jay keep up the good work. See you on the dance floor at Cherry Jam or Nottinghill Arts Club!

This 2 house compilations are absolutely a dream.....Never have i come across to such a high quality dance mix packed with outstanding tracks blended in skilfully in a variety of funky,latin and deep house charged with relentless energy.The result of Jay Hannan's and Ben Watt's effort is electrifying....... Unlike other compilations you have to work hard to find a track you DON'T like or any fault at all.This is shear quality and talent,both of every each artist and the DJs involved in the project.To be listen to for the next 20 years or so......an icon and a legend of dance music,a beacon,a light-house(so to speak),and "THE" standard and reference point for any house/dance complation.Best served at Notting Hill Art Club/London or in a hammock on a tropical beach under the full moon and the stars..........PURE BLISS.......

This LD compilation in my eyes almost parallels its predecessor. I think overall Watt's mix is a little weaker this time around and that's not necessarily because Tracy is missing from the frey. I think it's overall because Watt is a bit more redundant and predictable as opposed to LD1. That's not to say his disk is without any merit; tracks 2-4 comprise a very solid block on the Watt mix that's just as formidable as any other section from either of the 2 compilations.

With that said, cheers to Hannan. After reading the other reviews, I get the impression other listeners feel the same way about his mix. On LD1 his mix was far weaker than Watt's; with the release of this compilation I can safely say he made up for any previous shortcomings and did a fantastic job of leveling with Watt here. I'm not quite sure I agree that he's outdone Watt's mix, but then again I am a big Sade fan, so it may just be my biases speaking here.

Overall this is a great pair discs. If you're a fan of night club hopping or just like deep house you owe it to yourself to pick this one up. You may not enjoy this one as much as LD1, but I think you'll still find this compilation has plenty to offer. The cultural blend of jazzy, disco and pop elements make this an irresistible title.

Both CDs just keep finding their way back into my player cause I can't get enough of the grooves. I fell in love starting with the very first cut on the first CD and it just grew as they mixed song on top of song. Makes me want to fly to London.

lo maximo!!!! super dance, super house!!!! no es saturante a diferencia de otras mezclas!!!

no te arrepentiras. compralo ya!! si te gusta el house y dance este disco es lo que buscas!

salu2

marco

I am giving this 5 stars based on Ben Watt's portion of the program. I find his set a vast improvement over the first Lazy Dog, which I thought was inconsistent and boring in parts. He has really perfected his craft. Every song is distinctive and engaging. I am a big guitar fan and the song 'the guitar' is particularly notable. I found this CD based on hearing the Sade remix, which is quite brilliant. If you like that song I can almost guarantee you will like the rest of the disc. Great music for going out to a dance club, it will get you pumped up! This is one of the first CDs I give people when giving recommendations.
So far I have found this to be my favorite when compared to Buzzin Fly and Lazy Dog 1. Start here.
As far as the Jay Hannon portion, I have had trouble getting into this. I find it boring and lose interest quickly. Ben Watt's set is worth the price though.

Without exception, Lazy Dog 2 is the best deep house compilation I have ever heard. Jay Hannan and Ben Watt strike a perfect balance between vocal house and traditional instrumental. Both Jay and Ben have matured since Lazy Dog 1, and the crossover mixes are as fluid as can be. The only other compilation that even comes close to LD2 is DJ Maze's Funky Deep House.