With Europe ablaze last year to the sounds (and hype) of the most recent wave of "chill-out" music, a smoky amalgamation of lazy beats and future thinking, it was only a matter of time before weary American clubbers needed something to relax to as well. Only hastened, of course, by the post-9/11 mood of politically correct somberness.
London's club-culture brand pioneers Ministry of Sound have their eyes set on the New World and take a tasteful step with The Chillout Session, a sexy selection of soothing melodies and memories, opening with Massive Attack's timeless "Teardrop."
New sound system on the block Zero 7 get prominent positioning, first with "Give It Away" and later remixing Radiohead's "Climbing Up the Walls" into a dubbed-out torch song (they also give Lambchop's "Up With People" a mighty remix).
More subtly blended than mixed, the compilation unearths glittery gems like Beloved's "Sweet Harmony" (immortalized on "Beavis and Butthead") and Tranquility Bass's eternal "Cantamila."
The second disc really lights up on the Soul Hooligan's dreamy mix of Stone Roses' classic "Shoot You Down," Bent's sampledelic "I Love My Man" before ending on A Man Called Adam's warm "Easter Song. "
Chill-out? More like music to live by . . .
Scott Sterling
Product Description
U.S. edition of the popular chillout series is a laid back mix of blissful beats, & classic atmospheric tunes specifically for American audiences. This lush finely crafted mix features exclusive tracks by Radiohead, Massive Attack, The Stone Roses, Thievery Corporation, Zero 7, & Sigur Ros. Slipcase. Ministry Of Sound. 2002.