Search - Dzihan & Kamien :: Gran Riserva

Uberfunk!

Chris | Los Angeles, CA | 09/02/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"You would have to sort through a lot of junk to find a gem like Gran Riserva. It's beyond smooth and is above and beyond the best deep acid, jaz-funk, kitch, downtempo, groove lizard disc I've ever heard. It's difficult to categorize this disc, it slides all over the map but it's so well done that the transitions are seamless and flow beautifully. "Where's Johnny Sabatino" is film noire groove, complete with the sexy and manic voice over. "Airport" takes a one-way ticket to beat heaven, 'Basmati' moves things along nicely and eases you into the goodness to come. 'Drophere' (featuring Ma Dita) take it to ethereal depths with haunting vocals and a fabulously sexy rythm. "Thrill" takes you down memory lane, in this trippy and addictive riff. From the first time I spun this disc, it became a Sunday Afternoon favorite. Friends who hear this will agree, it's a *must* have.



The genre is typically bland and uninspired whereas Gran Riserva tucks itself nicely into your background or can easily rouse the neighbors. dZihan & Kamien blend sophisticated beats with some very provocative themes, all without pretense. The whole disc is multifaceted enough to suit any occasion and can move you or soothe you. I especially love the cover, it's absolutely deadpan - I was pleasantly surprised to discover that it features their respective fathers, musicians in their own right. This disc became an immediate, personal favorite.



The whole disc from start to finish is a very rare treat. Raise the bar and ease into exceptionally well-done and sophisticated lounge. dZihan & Kamien' Gran Riserva won't let you down. Best served chilled, no lizard's collection should be without this.



I'd also recommend Zero 7's "Simple Things"."

Smooth

N. Fisher | East Coast United States | 10/04/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I've only listened to the disc twice, and I am
very satisfied. After listening to refreaked,
Dzihan and Kamiens remix cd (remixes of Freaks
and Icons by various artists IE AtJazz, etc.),
I was instantly interested in D&K (ironic). So
when Gran Riserva came out 3 days ago I got it.It's very smooth and chill, yet fun and energetic.
A nice blend of synthetic production and live
instrumentation make for a rich listen. D&K have
production skills, and it is evident in their
sound and tracks. Quality.I was worried that the CD would drift into ambiguous
toms and percussion, but the tracks maintained a
solid flow, and nothing really lulled too much. There
is minimal filler, although on first listen the first
1/2 of the disc seems more solid. Percussive beats,
funky basslines and chilled out melody abound. This
is a quality cd. --Nick--"

Picks up where Freaks & Icons left off.

Seb Jarakian | San Francisco, CA United States | 04/30/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I love this album alot. It's a bit different than Freaks & Icons in a sense that it's alot more jazzy than usual compared with their typical Middle Eastern and Turkish samples and compositions. That's not to say that I don't like this album because I really do love it. It's awesome! The album kicks into high gear with the excellent track Stiff Jazz a jazzy, midtempo tune perfect for a lounge setting or jazz club setting or your living room/dining room. Then the track Basmati is a more mellow, downtempo jazz tune. It gives you a more laidback relaxed club feel. RIght after that we have Ford Transit. This is where we get the Middle Eastern samples. It's a fine downtempo, chill track. Sliding starts out fairly slow then gets really uptempo. Full of Jamaican singing and faint Middle Eastern chanting set to the perfect dance beat. The next 2 tracks are more mellow and chill with Drophere having vocals and Where's Johnny Sabatine being all instrumental chill. Right after that we have the fine midtempo track Deep Kitch. Then we are off to my favorite cut on the disc Airport. This is an excellent downtempo/chill track. It's just one masterpiece - perfect for a laidback lounge bar or background music for a party where you want the music to not overpower the mood of the party. It's flawless! The last three tracks are similar to the previous tracks in the sense that we have the jazz, and downtempo and chill genre at its perfection. With Dundadeova and Gutenmorgenduft being instrumentals and Thrill having vocals. Go check out this album it's excellent!!



SJ

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