Mr Freedom (Arg) [Import]

Gabin | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: EMI Europe Generic
• ASIN: B00069JA4W
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #237,942 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Into My Soul

2. Bang Bang to the Rock N' Roll

3. It's Gonna Be

4. The Other Way Round

5. Midnight Caffé

6. Mr. Freedom

7. The Thousand and One Nights

8. Just Be Yourself

9. ...and She's Still Watching Me

10. Into My Soul [Nicola Conte Remix]

Editorial Reviews

2004 International version features one track not issued on the 2005 US edition, 'Other Way Round' (Feat. China Moses) but omits the US' 'Into My Soul' (featuring Nicola Conte Remix). The Import version also features different artwork. Sophomore album from Italian DJ Filippo Clary, and jazz bass player Max Bottini. Gabin slots perfectly into the enormously popular scene that can be described as Jazzy, Downbeat Grooves. Atmospheric retro flavours and funky rhythms paying tribute to the very best house music are just some of the ingredients that make the Gabin album a gem. The first single, 'Mr. Freedom' features the vocals of Edwyn Collings. EMI. 2004.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Funky, soul-infused electro-jazz, September 6, 2005

By 

j. - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mr. Freedom (Audio CD)

"Mr. Freedom," the most recent offering from Gabin, is an eclectic mix of funky soul and ambient, groove-oriented jazz, all subtly (and sometimes not-so-subtly) set atop pulsing electronic beats. Think Moby's "Play" with even more of an edge. When the songs are good, they're really good. Standouts include the tribal-esque "Bang Bang to the Rock and Roll," (which sounds something like Fatboy Slim-meets-Paul Simon's "The Obvious Child,") and the fifth track, the steadily grooving "Midnight Coffee," which could practically be straight off of a St. Germain album.

Unfortunately, the low point of the album comes with the singing of China Moses, which occurs more often on the album than it should. The vocals are decent in a Macy Gray way, with possibly more soul but less poignancy, but at times don't fit with the jazzy, house-feel of the album. Frankly, one wishes that many of the China Moses tracks were simply left as instrumentals, as they would have then been more captivating and innovative. It's the heavily jazz-influenced tracks of the album that really make for a complex and captivating listen.

Overall, Gabin isn't really doing something that's never been done before in electronic music. The combination of soulful (primarily female) vocals with jazzanova-like ambience has been pretty mainstream for several years. And still, there's just enough energy on this album to make it seem fresh and catchy. It's the perfect background music for any funky urban evening at the club.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars PASS THE MARTINIS!!!, January 3, 2006

By 

Darrell L. Lee "dlatrell" (Jackson, MS) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mr. Freedom (Audio CD)

Italian duo Gabin has done a masterful job of concocting 10 tracks fused with bossa nova, electro-jazz, soul, blues and electronica. Not quite as dance-floor oriented as their debut that brought us "Doowap, Doowap, Doowap", "Mr. Freedom" still has stellar moments that will have you shaking a tail-feather, like the infectious 60s influenced, "Into My Soul", sung marvellously by Dee Dee Bridgewater, and the uplifting "Just Be Yourself" to only name a few. This CD is perfect for your next soiree of bougie wanna-bes--just make sure they bring the vodka!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pick Me Up in the Morning, November 23, 2005

By 

Saif Al Bitar (Toledo, OH United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mr. Freedom (Audio CD)

Compared to his first album with 'doo uap', this album takes a completely different approach from its former Buddha Bar Hotel Costes style. To be honest, I am absolutely in love with this album, sadly, China Moses, although has talent, doesn't just quite cut it with jazzy house feel of the music, but overall...I tell you what..this is a feel good album through and through....definitely worth buying!