Mushroom Jazz, Vol. 5

Mark Farina

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 22, 2005)
• Original Release Date: March 22, 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Om Records
• ASIN: B0007NFMBW
• Also Available in: Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #73,383 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Hailing originally from Chicago but long associated with San Francisco's jazz-house scene, Mark Farina returns to his bread-and-butter mix series Mushroom Jazz after 2003's eclectic artist record Air Farina. Less laid-back than Thievery Corporation but not quite as deep as Om label mates like Marques Wyatt, the Mushroom records often delve into hip-hop, and Jazz 5 is no exception. But while rhymes and raps jump out alongside snappy beats to startle the listener from chill tune-induced hypnosis, large chunks of the record, especially in the last half, are completely instrumental. Some of Air Farina's electro-funk adventurousness is here as well; check out the dazed and hazy original track "Cali Spaces." Consistently clever and packed with urban energy, it's an ideal Sunday evening record for those not quite ready to let the weekend end. –Matthew Cooke

Product Description
A true phenomenon in sound encompassing hip hop, soul, and the best blunted beats all mingled to perfection by Farina himself. To the uninitiated, Mark is the master of the blend. Urb Magazine voted him "Best Dance DJ" in their recent January/February issue, and BPM Magazine proclaimed, "For many downtempo fans, 'Mushroom Jazz' is where it all began." The new album features new and unreleased material from the finest in Mushroom Jazz, and includes a bumpin' new original track, "Cali Spaces".

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Better than any other Mushroom Jazz, April 11, 2005

By	Clay (British Columbia, Canada) - See all my reviews

I bought this, and listened to it on a long bus ride back home late at night. Usually on such a long bus ride I would just fall asleep, but after putting this on I had to stay awake to listen to it in it's entirety! This is simply one of Mark Farina's best offerings. I'm a huge fan of all the other Mushroom Jazz albums, but this one puts the rest to shame!

This album ise a bit more uptempo than the past Mushroom Jazz albums, and the fact that there seems to be new life breathed into the series is refreshing. You should go buy this album!!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible, April 5, 2005

By	Mod (USA) - See all my reviews

DJ Mark Farina, without doubt synonymous with "quality", has put out yet another astounding release. The sound on this one is not as hardcore as on IV, not as cloying as on III, not quite as hip as on II and not entirely so silky smooth as on the original. It's absolutely beautiful to hear 10 years of evolution passed off as just another release. Farina's quiet thunderstorm had better not be overlooked, though. This release packs a trendy and substantial punch.
My first major complain is that no track really enjoys enough time to develop. I guess that is a problem on a release 70 minutes and 21 tracks long. At best that's 3 minutes per track, nearly a radio vibe passed off as a deep setting. The moods also change drastically, from chill vibes to pensive anticipation of the next song while in repetitive limbo. However, these minor, although nagging, setbacks don't even for a second detract from the mind-blowing content of the disc.
The opening by J Boogie is infectious and sets the nocturnal tone for the rest of the disc. Charlie Tate's Colossus alias does him no justice in the slightly lackluster "The Tribute." Soundproviders' beautiful "Autumn Evening Breeze" thankfully saves the mix from becoming transfixed on entirely simplistic rhythms. With a quick introduction to Chali 2na, the track transitions into DJ Numark's "Chali 2na Comin Thru". Great rhymes, great beat, but however not really fitting on this disc after heard a few times. Red Astaire's "Come Down" is a good chillout track, really nothing much else. Zion I's "Flow" instrumental is great at finally shedding rowdiness and replacing it with a flowing aesthetic. DJ Spinna's "Nostalgia" possesses his signature sound and comes off strong just like all his other work, a muscular, perplexed track. The next track, Farina's own "Cali Spaces" is not only undeniably unforgettable, it also holds its own against the other great artists on the disc (Farina's entirely original project, Air Farina, lacked tremendously in places). Blu Bizness's "Funky For You", reminiscent of Deadbeats' Funky For You (whose work strangely was absent from this release, unless they're under a different alias) holds its own and is catchy. We Bee Foolish's "Puttin in Work" is not too great. DJ Dez's "Hollywood" is also not the best track on the CD, it packs no punch and appears like a party favor more than anything else. Jazz Liberatorz' track comes in saving the disc and setting it up for a few moments of bliss. For one of the shortest cuts in the mix, The Strange Fruit Project's "Maintain" easily wins me over any other track on the disc. It's almost a throwback to the old chill-out days, though rudely interrupted with the upbeat "Back in 92". Shortie No Mass's track is surprisingly good, sandwiched inbetween stellar male MCs. The Earl really confused me with his all-over-the-place track, not quite focused anywhere, but rather standard Mushroom Jazz fare. Johnny Alpha's track is great, although by this time in the mix, fashionably late. Starving Artists Crew's song is alright, even if only a minute long and layered inbetween other samples. Pete Rock's track is strange and unfitting for this kind of mix, but then again, it is Pete Rock. The great Thes One really pulls the mix out of its drag with "The Yacht Club", a super track with quick, clever rhymes. The worldwide collaboration Foreign Exchange finishes off with the mellow "Nic's Groove."
Overall, a great disc, with some dull tracks, some entirely blinding tracks, unmatched mixing, and moods only Mark Farina can evoke. At a sturdy 21 tracks, it packs more music in than most CDs and it feels like a solid, thought-out, although sometimes just a tad abstract project. 5/5.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mark Farina Is God!, March 26, 2005

By	M. Nickerson "delirious4ever" (CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This album has it all... from hip hop beats and rap to soulful jazz and his usual blend of unmatched mixing abilities. If you are a fan of Farina, do not hesitate and get this album NOW! You won't be dissapointed.