Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Solid remixes of classic Cirque songs from jazz to chillout., November 9, 2004
"Solarium--Tapis Rouge" (Red Carpet) represents Cirque du Soleil's foray into the world of electronica and chillout mixes. The eight songs (two songs appear twice) are taken from Alegría (Alegría, Nocturne), Dralion (Ombra), La Nouba (A Tale), O (Africa, Gamelan), and Varekai (Le Revêur, El Péndulo).
I'll be honest. I've bought my share of house, electronica, chillout and Ibiza CDs over the years, and I've been a strong fan of Cirque du Soleil's soundtracks. But I wasn't expecting remixes of this caliber. Each treatment preserves the shimmering vocals and unique instrumentation of the beloved originals, yet brings something fresh and new to the table.
Ombra (Ibizarre remix): The song begins with piano, tabla and strings, and brings to the forefront the chanted French monologue over Agnes Sohier's angelic vocals. Quite honestly, the Ibizarre remix is a vast improvement over the original album version and my favourite remix on the CD.
Alegría (A Man Called Adam's Magical Mix): Acoustic guitar driven, backbeats are laid down midway through the song and vocals are looped and subdued.
A Tale (Chilluminati Mix): Opens with crickets and night sounds over synth. Sassy powerhouse vocals. A smouldering sax solo appears in the last third of the song.
El Péndulo (Northern Comfort Mix): Varekai leaned towards much more of an ambient sound from conception, so this mix is less striking than some of the older songs chosen. Still enjoyable, with piano and bongo. Very smooth jazz-like.
Africa (Cottonbelly Remix): Begins with a jaunty kora loop that picks up beats and slides into the vocals. The beats and vocals make me think of Bally Sagoo and bhangra loops. Very catchy.
Nocturne (Christopher Goze Remix): Edgy, with bells, a bluesy trumpet solo that sounds like it was ripped out of Lhasa's Anywhere on this Road (The Living Road), and synth "space sounds." A Chinese bamboo flute makes a shimmering appearance towards the end of the song.
Le Rêveur (The Thievery Corporation): As above, Violaine Corradi and Nitin Sawheny's first Varekai CD (recently a live version has been released), was already an ambient remix in its own right. A very mellow, nearly transparent treatment with only enhanced drums to mark it from the original.
Gamelan (Cantoma remix): Subdued vocorder vocals and a bright synth loop.
Ombra (Afterlife remix): Much edgier than the Ibizarre remix, the vocals have been brought to the front, along with aggressive percussion.
Africa (Banzai Republic "Equator Bound" mix): looped vocals, electronic blips, and a cricket-like background, accented with kora, synth "bird calls" and water.
Tapis Rouge will appeal to die-hard Cirque fans and possible fans of chillout. Many of the tracks flirt with smooth jazz. An excellent CD for viewing avant garde art exhibits to, hosting a Cirque costume party (come as your favourite Cirque character, and marathon viewings of Fire Within and Cirque DVDs), or simply unwinding to.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A greatest hits remix set. Worth every penny!, May 14, 2005
I was always intrigued and have enjoyed the music of Cirque Du Soleil. When I heard of a remix CD I was very excited and had to own it as I always love remixes and taking tracks and remaking them. I think it's one of the greatest musical art forms. So I got this remix CD of Cirque Du Soleil's and quickly fell in love with all of the great remixes on here. Every single one of the tracks have been improved upon by the great remixers. Every remixer on here has probably been on any variousChill Out or Buddha Bar type compilation so you probably all are familiar with their music. So their music is quite unique and they bring their sounds and styles to the Cirque Du Soleil music. Artists like Thievery Corporation remixing Le Reveur, or Cottonbelly remixing Africa are just amazing remixes. The list goes on though so this is definitely a winning compilation. If you are at all into Chill Out or Buddha Bar style electronic music then this compilation is something you will most likely get into. Or if you have always wondered about the music of Cirque Du Soleil but never tried it or listened to any of their music then this could be something you can start with.
SJ
www.bestplaylists.com
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Tapestry, June 18, 2005
Of music. Whether you have this on in the background, are meeting it eye to eye, or have it up loud so it can pull you through its wanderments, this CD is extrordinarily representative of what we beleive lounge music to be.
I have a rather nice collection of lounge/dance/ambient, and all of it has its yea's and nay's. But this CD stands out on its own with its richness of sound, design, and the feeling that it trancends the traditions and peers of its genre.
DISCLAIMER: Please remmeber my review of this and any other CD is my opinion, and may not represent your choice in listening pleasure. Buy the CD anyways. It takes you to a lounge where you sip tropical drinks, and feel like you are far from home and in a place of great warmth.
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