Customer Reviews

Unwrapped the Ultimate Box Set

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Now this is music, i love the way it has a mix of old school, hip hop, jazz, mixed all together to come out with thier own flavor. It's my on the road travel music, makes my drove so easy. All my friends and family that hear it love it too, they have to have a copy. I'm hooked.

This CD is awesome. If you love and know hip-hop but at the same time enjoy jazz, then this cd is for you. All the songs are done so well, that you would think these were the original ones. The jazz is very relaxing and not overdone, so it's perfect to study or sleep to.

After quite a while the time was right for me to get the whole box set after a colleague led me to this music series when he showed me Hidden Beach's "Electric Relaxation" (one of the songs included in this box set).
Man, I should have listened to the previews on this website...

By looking at the track listing and taking "Electric Relaxation" as the lead example I felt this would be my kind of "Jazzy take on Hip-Hop/R&B", I came home and prepared myself to be dazzled by the sounds of not one BUT FOUR discs!

You realize the musicianship on the set and production quality is very good as you delve into each song but right from the first track ("Crush On You") you also find that you are headed the wrong direction (if you were looking for a smoother, jazzier type of sound). You are encountered by music which is sometimes so close to the original song that you wonder if you picked up the right product.

The first few bars of each track usually are very Hip-Hop driven with random scratching, heavy kicks, and overall, a sound way too strong for what is expected of a smoother Jazz collection. Then the vocals come in, almost straight from the original song and carefully redone as if to remind the listener ones again: "You are listening to a remake of 'One More Chance'..." WHY?! WHYYYYY?!
It would have been so pleasing to see this music redone in an "all-out" Jazz type of flava but it seems that somewhere in the creation process there was a need to R&B-it.

Again, there is good music in this CD set but its more R&B than it is Jazz. If you are looking for something truly smooth, jazzy and relaxed, something that you can groove to on your way back from work or while sipping a cold drink at home with your lady I don't think you will find it here.

Be sure to listen to preview samples before you buy.
In addition to this set I picked up a CD called "Smooth urban Grooves" by Soul Providers. It was more like what I wanted.

Amazon shipped the product quickly as described. Happy with the transaction.

I recently bought a few box sets for myself and for all of my friends who are music fans. This box set brings the combination of the hip hop beats that I love with the instrumentation of Jazz which you just can't beat! Where else can you get a 4 cd's of straight hit music! Also, the way it is mixed, you can play all of the discs all the way though and it sounds like you have a DJ at your house spinning for you! I actually used it at a party that my friend was having the other day. If you live in the ATL, you probably heard about this on V103. A friend of mine heard it there blowing up. A definite must have for you an anyone you care about who loves music.

Hey Unwrapped Fans:
I just picked up the Unwrapped box set today and its a must have for all of the fans of the series. I like the way Hidden Beach re- sequenced the album and so it is not just like having all four volumes of the previous cds. In addition, they added some videos and have a little write up on each song and as usual Steve McKeever has his interesting liner notes that go over some of the history of the project. A Must have for any Unwrapped fan, new or old....

Have been listening to the series for years, and stumbled across this box set. Based on the style (hip hop/jazz) alone, I did not think twice about paying full price for this set. Yes, one must be a lover of BOTH Hip-Hop and Jazz in order to appreciate this style of music. The musical interpretaion/substitute for actual lyrics are well done, and keeps you enjoying the tunes.

You can take your pick from smooth grooves such as "One more Chance" & "Summertime", to more hard cuts like "Lean Back". I mostly have found myself enjoying the variety of songs differently, with good solos standing out on songs like "Treat Em Right" & "You Got Me", to only name a few. Also there is a strong latin influence present throughout this set, appearing to fit very well into songs like "Always on Time", "Lean Back" and "Still Not a Player". I was curious about how these songs were going to be executed, and I must say they ar nicely done in relation to the originals.

If I have to give any negatives, it would be on some of the percussion, but only on a few cuts. There does appear to be frequent percussion/scratching towards the end of some tracks, which lost me on some songs. But by this time, you may be ready for the song to be complete anyway.

On a positive note, this set makes me actually enjoy some songs in which I never really cared for the original artist. I guess by interpreting these songs Hidden Beach has accomplished what they set out to do with me... bring great jazz music, and also establishing true appreciation for original hip hop.

Worthwhile CD, entertaining and sets the mood I was looking for when purchased. Glad to have added this one to my collection

I was very please with the item purchased. It was in great condition and was packaged in a way to avoid damage. I am very excited about receiving this item and I would recommend this dealer to others.

Thanks

Well I enjoyed the Cd's but was disappointed because the bonus Videos and tracks that a to come with the set is not on the fourth disc as printed on the box and Cd. I call Amazon and they replace my set but still no bonus anything. Did anyone get what the paid for?

If you have not purchased this box set do it now. This is the most relaxing music. I started listening to it when I was younger and it really changed the way I view music as it is so relaxing and you can play this for any occasion. No foul language to deal with.I usually play this CD when I am cleaning the house as it really keeps me going.Being a middle age man I can relate to most of the sngs as I listened to them growing up. It truly brings out the music especially if you have some great speakers or headphones.They sound great at my office through my Dr. DRE headphones.A stress releiver and mood setter for sure.