Customer Reviews

Ultra Chilled 3

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I recently was perusing the chill out bins at one of my favorite record stores when I stumbled upon the third volume in the Ultra Chilled series. I was surprised to see a third volume, and a second compilation released in the same year. I loved the first volume (as predictable as it was), loathed the second because it was even more predictable than the first volume (good songs though but too predictable and the artists and bands were on other chill out compilations that I owned), and now the third volume. I must say that I will give Ultra Records props for not torturing me again with another compilation filled with artists I already see on my other compilations. Either someone saw my review for volume 2 or someone at Ultra Records finally grew a brain and realized that not everyone enjoys listening to the same damn song found on other compilations or the same artist and band in general. Now while the third volume is actual improvement from the second, it isn't completely flawless. The first disc I found to be utterly in disarray. The songs did NOT flow well together. David Waxman who mixed and edited the cd needs to take some major mixing lessons from David Visan from the Buddha Bar series, and fast. The first disc is just a complete mess. The only bright moments that I did like was tracks #1, #2, #4, #6, and #11. I loved Charlie Hunter and Norah Jones' version of Roxy Music's "More Than This". Great cover. I found the Alpha Remix for Coldplay's smash hit "Yellow" quite compelling and different from the version I am so used to hearing. The second disc of "Ultra Chilled 3" is ten times better than disc 1 and "Ultra Chilled 2". Frankly I think "Ultra Chilled 3" would have been better off as a single disc compilation with disc 2, but oh no. Ultra Records had to put that horribly mixed disc 1. Being a big New Order fan, I was pleasantly surprised by Flunk's cover of the '80s classic "Blue Monday". The vocalist kinda reminds me of Beth Orton, EVTG's Tracey Thorn, and Portishead's Beth Gibbons. Stunning cover. The track list in general flows well together. Despite my disdain for disc 1, disc 2 was good enough for "Ultra Chilled 3" to get a 4 star rating. Flawed but still good, and a whole lot better than "Ultra Chilled 2".

After the mixed bag that was Volume 2, the folks at Ultra release the third installment of their chillout series, and it's far more consistent and enjoyable. On these 2 discs, there's a decent balance between familiar downtempo artists and more interesting selections from lesser-known names. On disc 1, highlights include an interesting cover of Roxy Music's "More Than This" by Norah Jones and Charlie Hunter, a smoothed out remix of "Yellow" by Brit rockers Coldplay, the laid back pop of Saint Etienne on "Summerisle,"and my personal favorite: the funky vibes of Jazzonova on "No Use." The second disc gets even better and digs deeper by uncovering some true gems. The eye-opener is a folkish reinterpretation of the New Order classic "Blue Monday" by Flunk, who strip the original of its disco beats and replace it with a rush of acoustic guitars. I also liked "A Special Morning" by Ralph Myerz and the Jack Herren Band, and "Inbetween Your Choice" by 16B gives off a relaxing and calming vibe. Ultra gets props for not stealing ideas from other chillout compilations and coming up with a solid set that sets itself apart from the rest. While I still think Volume 1 is the best of the series (so far), "Ultra Chilled Volume 3" is definitely good enough to warrant your attention.

Ok, if you've bought any of the other hundred or so comps by Ultra, then you know what to expect already. For the uninitiated that means that Disc 1 is pretty solid after one skips past the first three to five tracks. Now those tracks may not be that bad individually, but that's where all the 'big names' on the disc get collected, regardless of how well they happen to flow together. Disc 2 is where things always start to look better. Better tracks that tend to work side by side in a logical fashion that creates the groove that the producers were shooting for in the first place. And this comp does have some very solid tunes. Gotan Project, Jazzanova and Koop off Disc 1 and very nearly all of Disc 2 is just smashing. Pretty laid-back over-all with some mellow drums in the mix, but nothing too fierce for what it is. And finally a 'Chill' comp sans Moby. Not too shabby.

Not great, but pretty okay as a next offering. Thing to remember with these chill anthologies is that they're for ambiance; they serve perfectly well for that something you put on for your own background. For serious listening, probably better to find something else. This is great for, well, just chilling out.

The first disc of Ultra Chilled 3 seems to the trained chillout DJ ear as elevator music when compared to some of the mixes done by other DJs like Morlack and the others from the PsyShop crew. But on further listen, I decided to plow straight through to the second disc. 03:2 is excellent, and in my opinion could stand alone if Ultra had decided to go with a one disc compliation instead of two. I really like the track choice of the entire set, but I think the star reduction (in terms of rating) can be accounted to the mixing of the first and the beginning of hte second CD in the case. All in all, I think that it is a good record.

The two best songs on the collection. The rest of it is so-so, good for pretty, relaxing background music.

I have to agree with earlier reviews who said that disk 2 is much better than disk 1. Disk 1 has its moments though- Norah Jones' cover of "More Than This" is a wonderful song to kick back to. Coldplay's song is a little dull. Beth Orton's "Daybreaker" is one of the best songs to be produced in a LONG time. Disk 2 is amazing though, full of interesting rythms that sound amazing while you're laying down in a dark room. Overall as a unit, it's an ample chill collection. Nothing too great about it, and definitely not as good as UC1.

This CD was the greatest CD i ever bought! It has instrumental, latino, electronic & different mixes. I thought "The Alpha Remix" of the Coldplay song "Yellow" sounded weird, but it wasn't that bad. I liked the instrumental song by Nightmares on Wax and the songs by Doves & Beth Orton. This CD also includes good tracks to relax to. Like "Epoca", "Bananeira", "Waltz For Koop" & "Summerisle". It's a great CD, so go get dressed and go outside and get it. Trust me it will be the best experience you've ever had!!!

I already own all 3 Ultra Chilled CDs, and I find this one to be slightly dissapointed. The first CD is a compilations of songs with various female vocals. When i think of downtempo Electronica, I do not associate it with having so many vocals, and female vocals especially. I do enjoy two songs from the first cd (Epoca and Bananeira), but in all of the others, the female vocals mask the true mood of the mixed instrumentals. Also, among the two or three songs with male vocals, the mood is also masked by the voices. The remix of Coldplay's "Yellow" is also quite dissapointing. They should have just used the song "Trouble" from coldplay, instead of the overplayed "Yellow."

The reason I gave it four stars, though, is because the second cd makes up for the first one completely. After listening to the second cd, I realized that I hadn't wasted my money. The second cd is comprised mostly of pieces without any vocals. The variety of Electronica genres in the second cd definitely does make the compilation worth purchasing. Music should make the mood, and the second disc is perfect for invoking a subtle and peaceful atmosphere. If you are asking yourself whether to buy Ultra Chilled 3, I would say yes, definitely. Just take into account that the first cd does not match up to the second one.

In the act of buying cd's we all take chances. Sometimes we will go and read as many customer reviews and play the safe road. Other times we will go off and purchase things on a whim... Sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse. This is one of the cases where it was definitely a turn for the worst. I thought that seeing a couple artists on the album that I really enjoyed was hedging the bets a bit in my favor, but I couldn't be more wrong. The entire mix of music on either cd is disjointed, and uninspired. The song selection takes no chances and rides with the sappy "downtempo" stereotype of popular artists. The 'chilled' part is questionable when we start getting assaulted by clubland beats that seem to do exactly the opposite. Don't bother wasting your money on this product that boasts only a decent design and a pretty face.