Vintage Chill, Vol. 3: Autumn

Performer: Various Artists
Producer: Miyazawa Kazafumi; David Basho; Dimitri From Paris; Dirk DeBoeck; Espen Horne; Stefan Rogall; Fluff; C. Tate; Steve Raskin; Boris Meinhold; Greg Long; HardKandy; Miss Johnna M.; Brian Robson; Sid Barcelona; Ralf Droesemeyer; David Cox; Kazufumi Miyazawa; M.J. Harris; Rob Myers; Billy Paul Williams; Axel Reinemer; Stefan Leisering
Distributor: IDN Distribution

Notes: Personnel: Aim�e Craddock, Jess Banks, Lisa Bassenge (vocals); Boris Meinhold (guitar, synthesizer, programming); Rob Myers (guitar); Sonny Rollins (alto saxophone, sampler); Andy Ross (baritone saxophone); Paul Kieber, Paul Kleber (double bass, programming). Audio Mixer: Fluff. Audio Remixer: Espen Horne. Arrangers: Hardkandy; Dreamweavers. Like free jazz and death metal, rave music (that is, techno and the harsher, more abrasive forms of electronica) is very much an acquired taste -- exciting and exhilarating if you comprehend it, but not for everyone. Of course, many of the people who put out rave music could care less about mainstream acceptance; they care about the mainstream about as much as free jazz firebrand Charles Gayle is worried about winning over Kenny G. fans. In fact, ravers thrive on their underground status just like the thrill-seekers in the mosh pit at a Cannibal Corpse show. But at the same time, there is a whole other world of electronica that, unlike rave music, isn't about being harsh, abrasive, or in your face. It's the world of chillout, downtempo, trip-hop, and acid jazz -- a kinder, gentler approach to electronica that is exemplified by compilations like Vintage Chill, Vol. 3: Autumn. This sequel to Kriztal Entertainment's two previous Vintage Chill discs shows how smooth electronica can be; hypnotic tracks like Dimitri From Paris' "Tourjours l'Amore" and Greg Long's "Skin Diving" are rhythmic, but they're also sleek, congenial, jazzy, and laid-back (as is Billy Paul Williams' version of the Johnny Mercer standard "Autumn Leaves"). That isn't to say that everything on this 72-minute CD has a standard chorus/verse/chorus/verse song structure; many of the tunes don't, in fact. And in that sense, Vol. 3 doesn't always operate by mainstream pop standards; don't expect your local Top 40 station to pick a lot of these club-oriented grooves over a Britney Spears or Justin Timberlake single (at least if you live in the United States -- European radio is often a very different animal). Regardless, Vol. 3 is among 2003's more noteworthy chillout compilations and can be an attractive alternative to the harsh, rave-oriented forms of electronica. ~ Alex Henderson

Click Here for Shipping Options and Policies

Shipping or Dimension weight in pounds: 0.25