Customer Reviews

Live in Tokyo

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I don't know what else to say except that this is a really really Mark Farina-y Mark Farina album. Listen to it and there's no question who mixed it. Best Farina album in years.

This is a great Mark Farina cd! His past two releases--House of Om, and Sessions--were, for me, disappointing in that they were indistinguishable from other artist mixes. They were fine, but forgettable. Ordinary.

But this mix features all that is great about his best work: the chunky, jazzy funk with the occasional vocals, the tv announcer samples, the organ and sax, etc. It's got some personality, it's fun, it builds, it turns...just like you've come to expect from him through his earlier mixes. It's like a Mushroom Jazz mix that's juiced up a notch or two. Your head will bobbing the whole way.

I would imagine a CD of this caliber deserves a lot more reviews. I cannot say further to what has already been mentioned about this CD, by the other people who have reviewed, but that in recent times, This is a very honest, tight mix from Mr. Farina. ( yep that's Mister ! :))

run through sound samples ( from track 2, track 6 Track 8), you will know what i am talking about.

Very cool stuff

I heard a sample of this album at an airport terminal and was blown away by the mixes of mushroom jazz and house. This album is awesome. I recommend it for chillin' with your friends, throwing a get together, or any social gathering. It makes you feel like you're at a upscale cafe sipping on some martinis. It really gets the crowd going. Listen to it and you'll know what I'm talking about...

Mark Farina has many styles but the one he's best at is funky, dirty, jackin, and lets not forget soulful house. This album is a prime example of a Mark Farina set (also convenient that it is a live set from Tokyo)...but I digress...this is a great album. As soon as you play it, the party will begin...kudos to Mr. Farina.

I typically will write a review based on my personal experiences and perceptions of a piece of music or artist effort. This time, I took a look at some of the other reviews just to see if my own views matched many others listed here. They don't.

I am surprised the other reviewers are so happy with Farina's effort here. The cynic in me tells me that they must be friends or uber-fans that think he can do no wrong. I am neither. But, I do have plenty of Mark Farina's other music and have seen/heard him live many times. He is great at mixing 70s style funk with house and elements of hip-hop. In fact, if that combination appeals to you, you may not find a better source (other than maybe Stacey Pullen, George Acosta, and a few other notables). Typically, Farina will shine when he seems to be having fun adding funky sound elements at sporadic and interesting places within tracks that provide a light party atomsphere to wherever he is playing.

This time, all the tool he often uses work against him. This live set is haphazard, unremarkable, and in the grand scheme of this genre, largely forgettable. That is truly disappointing.

There are FAR too many annoying sound elements that are out of place, distracting and sloppy. The cd largely sounds like he phoned it in -- like he wasnt' there, didn't care, or was uninspired. For example, the vocals on Track #6 are terrible: no harmony, nonsensical, and sounds like some guy blathering on after WAY too many drinks. The whistling on Track #7 is aggravating to say the least. The music would be much better without them, and should have NEVER made it on a set and certainly not on the cd.

Tracks #8 and #9 are marginal, and are more indicative of what Farina can do when he wants to. But they are just two positive tracks out of many that are just barely getting by.

The real tragedy is that Farina can innovate, he can throw an amazing party, and elevate the crowds tastes in funk-house. Unfortunately, this time, he chose not to do any of that. I am not sure the reviewers who gave 5 stars care about that either.

Ohhh-h-h maaan, I have had this CD FIRMLY ensconced in my car stereo for the last five days and it always gets me in the mood to let the stupid day-to-day world sliiiiiiiiiide on passed while I drive, drive, drive. Even when I'm running boring errands, this mix can soothe my furrowed brow.

I have been a Farina fan for quite some time and this is quintessential Farina, with all the extra cool sampley things from the 50s and on, with a groove that - by about track 5 or 6 or 7 - will get you ready to go home and make that cocktail, light that cig (light, of course) and let things happen with your body and your stereo and your friends and just forget the nine-to-five and just moooooove. What else is life for?!

I really loved this album. I am a big mark farina fan and he did an excellent job as usual.

Jazzy funky beats combined with house make for a great cd! You will keep bobbing your head throughout this live set!!