Customer Reviews

Midnight Express

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

For those who need their house deep, dark, soulful and sensual, this is the compilation for you. World traveling super jock David Alvarado delivers an inspiring selection of Guidance's best thats equally at home in the car, the club or your bedroom. Smooth, soothing, uplifting and motivating all at the same time, Midnight Express traverses 13 phenomenal releases from Guidance's three year old back catalog. Opening with the haunting "Callin U" by A:xus (remember the soundtrack to Baghdad Cafe') and moving through old favorites like Mutabaruka's "Dis Poem", Mark Grant's "Spirit of the Black Ghost", Kevin Yost's "Its Getting Bigger" and Dubtribe's "What You Feel In Your Heart" this continuously mixed DJ set proves that Alvarado and Guidance are two brightly shining stars in the crowded and often mediocre deep house community. Give it a spin, and then check you local retailer for these fine Guidance singles.

In Nov of 1999, David Alvarado played alongside Jazzanova at Vinyl, but only a few on hand did more than nod. We didn't care though as Alvarado lifted us with deep, tribal ambience, flawless mixing, and a selection of soulful tracks that made us sway our heads and bodies in fluid, harmonious motion during his sets. The feel of Midnight Express is no different than that night, and I now believe that this unique melange of deep, funky bass lines, tribal rhythms, and spaced out ambience is classic Alvarado as much as it is classic Guidance Recordings - hence the reason why he's a perfect fit for this compilation. The Los Angeles legend mixes deep, ambient gems like "Stay the Night" and "Jaz Love #2" that linger on sweet chords with funky, tribal jams like "Happiness" and "Jumbo Jet Jam," tracks that ride funked out bass lines and jump with organic percussion. Even though all the tracks are off Guidance, the label's good taste and inclination toward a diversity of sounds preserves the freshness within Alvarado's hand picked selection. If David Alvarado comes to your town, don't miss him play unless you think you can forego a night of revelatory deep house. There is something special about his flow - a cosmic, space oriented sound that is simultaneously soulful and organic. If you're a die hard four-to-the-floor fan or just interested in house music, there isn't a better recent compilation than this one.

Sexy, sensual glowing percussive and analogue ambience; beautiful house sophistication. Excitement and exhileration without resorting to the usual devices found in a lot of commercial dance music. This music is special. Alavarado seems to find the right elements to construct this feeling. It's somewhat cinematic in it's feel, as well, which seems to be a strong feature of "tek-haus". And I consider this a form of tech-house, although perhaps containing subtle elements of garage and also strong reminders of the 70s disco era. Well, everything is derivitive in art, and connected to something esle. N'est-ce pas?

This is the second CD I've purchased for this artist. This is also his best work so far. United DJs of America vol 15 was very good, but this title is better. I imagine both will get lots of play time in my car.... anyway... This CD is equally as deep as United DJs but this one is a bit more funky. If you were housin' it on the dancefloor you'd be forced to pound your feet, the beats are thumping so hard. "Stay The Night" really gets the beat pounding and "Spirit of the Black Ghost" follows for a very nice one/two punch combo. Later on in the mix you get "Happiness" and It's Getting Bigger" for another deep combo. This isn't to take away from the other cuts on this cd because they're all quality House. The mix flows nicely and the beats are all thumping good. You won't need to skip any of the tracks in this CD.

The apex of the mix CD, as far as I'm concerned. I nabbed this one on the basis of a good review I read somewhere, and it exceeded all expectations. From the mellow intro "Callin' U" to the beautiful one-two punch of "Spirit of the Black Ghost" and "Jaz Love #2", this disk is amazing. David, I can't wait to hear more of your work.

To describe this CD would be beyond words, I have had this CD for quite a while now, and let me just say "ahhh", This CD is perfect for anything whether it be driving, working, anything. When I hear this CD (No impiticular song though) I can't help but to feel good, this was one of the CD's that got me deeper into the trance world, and to Daivd Alverado I would just like to say thank you.

I stopped listening to dance music completely years ago and still rock this disc whenever I want to be reminded that it wasn't all just one long bad dream. unstoppable.

although I would've appreciated a couple of more tracks thrown into the mix, Mr. Alvarado's cute tips on traveling (included in the leaflet) made it worthwhile....

This is the latest compilation from US based Guidance Recordings, perhaps the world's best known and most respected deep house label. This time American DJ David Alvarado provides the mixing skills, seamlessly blending 13 track together from the well endowed Guidance back catalog. For me personally, most of my favorite Guidance tracks are contained on the most excellent Hi Fidelity House compilation from about three years back. Those early cuts had a very deep and spooky vibe, and we're almost religious in their spirituality. Most of this compilation favors the jazzier end of the Guidance selection, but there are some old favorites here too that most will recognize. Mutabaruka's recent conscious house update of "Dis Poem" is included as is the classic "Besos De Los Angeles" by Fresh n Low and with cool cuts from Kevin Yost, Charlie Brown, and Blueboy you know the quality of the music is consistantly high. That said, for my money easily the best track here is the closing "What You Feel In Your Heart." Its a hopelessly lush and beautiful house track with everything......soaring melodies, uplifting bassline and haunting restrained vocals-killer. A solid home listening collection of deep house.

From the lush and beautiful opening track, "Callin' You" by A:xus, David Alvarado sets the tone for what is one smooth yet bumping journey. All aboard for a trans-Atlantic House experience with the likes of Mark Grant, Kevin Yost and Dubtribe, among others thrown into the mix. And what a mix it is. Not only is the seemless mix format expectedly clean, but Alvarado allows each carefully chosen, quality track to play their full length. Therefore, not rushing the vibe, but rather, nuturing it. Great music to be enjoyed anytime, as well as midnight.