Magic Dragon

Caia | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 8, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Guidance Recordings
• ASIN: B00008OM62
• Also Available in: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #170,345 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #98 in Music > Dance & DJ > Turntablists

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

As Caia, Japanese producer Maiku Takahashi comes up with a solid debut filled with ambient space and druggy downtempo. Produced by Groove Armada's Andy Cato, The Magic Dragon has some of that band’s soulful warmth, but Caia's sound is even smoother, layered with rich chill tunes and hypnotic effects. Wordless choruses float like little fluffy clouds into extended bridges, mixing up the structure of songs like "Summer Lighting" and "La Telecabine." The atmospherics gain momentum from traces of hip-hop and dub, like a Tangerine Dream movie soundtrack with a beat. Some songs end up in completely different places from where they started; "Heavy Weather" develops from a brooding acid-house bass line, but eventually dissolves into a wash of keyboards and chanted melodies. By keeping us off balance, Takahashi gets to surprise us and takes advantage of our disorientation to establish a dreamy and wonderful weightlessness. --Matthew Cooke

Product Description

2003 long player debut from Japanese recording artist Maiku Takahashi which was produced, recorded, arranged and engineered by Andy Cato of Groove Armada fame. Digipak. Guidance Recordings.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Erotic music for the 21st Century, June 8, 2004

By 

Thomas R. Carley Jr. (gresham, oregon United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Magic Dragon (Audio CD)

When listening to Caias' beautiful "Magic Dragon" album be prepared to be blown away. Each song on this record transports you to a different world on each different song. Its downtempo meets new age meets electronica meets acid jazz. But more than
anything its music that meets the soul and decides to become best friends. Let me tell you my 5 favorites off of "Magic Dragon": 1) "Remembrance" A song to help you with those reflective moods of lost loves, full moons, and snuggling with a current lover. 2) "La Telecabine" This has some nice surprises in the arrangements. Be prepared for the unexpected on this great dance and soulful feeling song. 3) "Summer Lightning" Just simply a breathtakingly beautiful song. Get your jogging shoes ready for this one, it will be a great pace setter. 4) "Subway Freedom" This is a great one for all those DJ's out there. Great Dubbing is already included. 5) "Afterwards @ the Bar" This one has a little smooth jazz feel with some nice break beats in it. Except for some wordless singing, this is an instrumental album for the ages. This is a great record for any kind of mood. I highly recommend this breakthough album.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I need more than 5 stars for this release, July 25, 2003

By 

arnol garza (San Antonio, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Magic Dragon (Audio CD)

Believe me, 5 stars does not do this collection of amazing chill out sounds justice. I am an avid collector of chillout/ambient music and am proud to say I have some of the best out there. But, I dont think much can get better than this amazing release. I just bought it today, and have only heard it twice, and am already compelled to inform the cyber world that this truly is one of the best chillout cds of the past few years. Im hearing it for the second time right now w/ a glass of wine and just cant believe what I am hearing. Heavy beats, combined w/ sexy bass lines and surrounded by lush soundscapes makes this cd an instant classic. I totally agree with most reviewers that there is NOT ONE song to skip over. Every single song on this release is amazing. So, stop reading these reviews, and do yourself a favor and buy this cd, open a good bottle of wine, and sink into your sofa w/ someone special and soak in the sounds of the soundtrack to your summer.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This Might be the Best Chill-Out Album Ever, February 20, 2007

By 

Carlos Stagliano (18th Street Lounge, Wash. DC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Magic Dragon (Audio CD)

Yes, I know, you've never heard of this obscure band called "Caia". But let me tell you, I've listened to a lot of downtempo/chill-out music, and this is my favorite album. This music will simply make you happy. It's just one of those inexplicable things. Caia's music is soft, light, refreshing, with many nice beats and great synth work.

Remembrance is one of the all-time best ambient tunes. So good that it may bring tears to your eyes. Other great songs on here are The Love Room, La Telecabine, and Jericho. Along with the Dining Rooms, Caia ranks as my favorite Chill Out band!

Do yourself (and your ears) a favor and get Caia's The Magic Dragon. You won't regret it.