Customer Reviews

Relax: Edition 3

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

 

 

I originally bought the relax edition 2 and loved it. I then got it for my father who could not stop playing it years after he received it. He was thrilled to see that I got him this one as well for Christmas! Great job with this compilation.

All I really have to day about this 3rd release is that it DOES have good tracks that are consistent with B&J's style, but not enough this time. They overused the vocals of Mike Francis to the point of aggravation to my ears, and also have more of a sound associated with a slowed down version of classic R&B. I'm sorry, but I can't chillout to that. If I was one of the guys I'd suggest to the other that we work harder and spend a few years making more of our own tracks while completely laying off the vocals to make Relax: Edition Four is as magical as the first two, if not more. It would definitely be worth the wait. The big Mike Francis fan would be better off buying this album, but I suggest that the B&J and Chillout fan go through each sample track and buy just the few enjoyable ones as downloads.

CD1 (Sun): Roots is very nice track. It has a good tropical sound to it. But I'm a little upset because it became more of an extended intro to Nothing Can Come Between Us (with Mike Francis), which pretty much got ruined by the singing. Die Blaue Stunde (The Blue Hour) is the perfect track to listen to on the weekends while relaxing at an after-hours lounge early into morning. The Palms is another B&J track that makes me want to just sit and hang out all day at the beach, staring at the water while the sun adds more color to my skin. Florent 2 AM and California Sunrise are two of those relaxing but stimulating tracks we all need to listen to at work to keep us going.

CD2 (Moon): Captain Of Her Heart (Lounge Instrumental) falls under the same category as Florent 2 AM and California Sunrise, but more in a "it's late-afternoon and almost time to punch-out" kind of way. Lazy can continue that theme in the car while fighting traffic on the way home, and sometimes even to work. It definitely helps me keep my cool in Friday evening gridlock. People From Ibiza (Bongolover Mix) catches my attention because it's a rich reminder of the tribal sounds that come from the Balearic Islands, even though I think it's just a little too fast-paced and upbeat to be in this album.

Let's keep our fingers crossed that there'll be a 4th album that will make-up for this one.

The blank & jones relax series is so special to me...Me ex-girlfriend actually fell in love with me when I played the relax vol 1 and vol 2 during our intimate moments...The 3rd installment is slightly different than the first two but is an instant classic...It has a very 70's retro feel to it but the awesome programming makes it very up to date...The first cd titled Sun is very relaxing, ibiza beach style trance with lot of soothing vocals from Michael Francis...The second cd titled moon is a bit faster yet relaxing with quite a few vocals. It is a perfect cd to end the night with at a place like Cafe Del Mar or any afterhours lounge...Buy this cd set!! you won't regret it.

This album is a total disappointment, if you heard the previous two releases from the Relax series before. Nothing compared to the excellent previous Balearic chilled innovations. I am not recommending to buy this cd.

If you have copies of the first and second edition (the first being that hard to get), you would immediately see the difference in the third one, simply because it's Mike Francis dominating both CDs. But hold on, it doesn't mean he made it less interesting. For those who are wondering who Mike Francis is, he's an italian singer who's famous in Asia. He has a very distinctive voice. Overall, I think B&J still delivered although most of the songs are revival. I particulary enjoyed their versions of Sade's Nothing can Come Between Us & William Pitt's City Lights (both sun and moon versions). Their version of Culture Club's Time makes the moon CD a striking start. The flow of the rhythm from one song to the next is superb. Well, it got my attention, it's in my car, and it plays all day!