4.0 out of 5 stars
Solid Mix, March 27, 2008
This review is from: Miami Afterhours: Mixed By Ivano Bellini (Audio CD)
I went to Club Space (Miami) on an 'off night' a couple years ago when the floor in the main room wasn't too full and there was more than enough room to dance. Bellini was playing and it was the first time I had seen him. He pumped it hard. I was totally impressed. So I went out and bought 'Miami Afterhours'. I'm really glad I did. It doesn't rank up there with the best compilations I own, but I continue to pull it out and pop it in my cd player.
The first track is a favorite amongst my crew and I. It drops in heavily after some infectious, quirky, and borderline hilarious vocals. The guy speaking has an accent and the stuff he utters is downright entertaining. The track is a Bellini original under the Navarone moniker. GO DEEP IN IT!
I love the way he brings up the mix with tracks 2, 3, and 4. Track 4 is awesome with its driving, electro feel. Then the chains come off with 'Hecitate' in the 5 spot. I really like the programming strategy Bellini uses. He builds energy leading up to a couple standout tracks early on in the mix, then mellows out through the middle before bringing it back in the end.
On the first few listens I wasn't a huge fan of the more mid-tempo, chilled-out middle portion of the disc, but I eventually came around. Tracks 6, 7, 8 are high quality but you may not realize their value right away after being slapped across the face in the beginning of the comp.
Bellini brings it up a notch towards the end, which is absolutely necessary. If he hadn't, this cd would be one you half-listen to before pulling out. The mixing is solid but not Digweedeqsue. There are a few blends in there that just aren't as smooth/subtle as one would like, but they all 'work'. Nothing to get your panties in a ruffle over.
In summary, I would recommend this cd to a lot dance music lovers. It's an electro-tinged, house/progressive house mix from one of Miami's finest. And go dance to Bellini live!!
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5.0 out of 5 stars
The Miami feel..., April 8, 2006
This review is from: Miami Afterhours: Mixed By Ivano Bellini (Audio CD)
What I love about Ivano's music...it isn't commercial [...]. This is an unique musician that turns music into art. This is not the type of thing you'll find in a massive buy ot shelf; if those are Mercedes Benz, this is a Ferrari.
I'd say this music is sexy, dark and funky. It is very difficult to find Ivano's touch in other artist or Dj. However, this CD is quite different from the last one, because just as Ivano states, in this production he has abandoned the turntables and has used professional software to give like a studio feel.
Thumbs up!
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5.0 out of 5 stars
ivano bellini, September 28, 2005
This review is from: Miami Afterhours: Mixed By Ivano Bellini (Audio CD)
Very interesting cd. After hearing his cd The Real Miami House Sessions I had to give this cd a listen. It's exactly the way he plays his live sets after 3 am. For anyone that's heard him play, you'll enjoy this cd. It's Ivano at his best. If you haven't heard him play and haven't had a chance to go to a club where he's been featured, this is an opportunity for you to get a taste of his sound and set. Perfect representation of how a cd by a dj reflects the way he actually plays live. Hope Ivano does some productions of his own soon. He obviously has a great ear for the type of music his fans want to hear.
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