Search - Mark Farina :: Connect

You Can Take the Man out of Chicago...

eduardo_k | Los Angeles, CA United States | 06/26/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"...but you can never take Chicago out of the man. Indeed, Mark Farina successfully reCONNECTs with Chi-town roots in his latest to create a tapestry of house music that is distinctly not Bay Area (which is just fine as far as I'm concerned...okay, so maybe I'm just a wee bit housist!). I personally tried my best to feel his United DJ's of America contribution - but my distaste of that album was fully justified once I gave CONNECT a serious gander. This is house music at its best...jazzy, highly danceable, beaucoup loops, beats you can feel, right from the soul - and let's not forget the introductory latin cuts, which have far more personality than others I've heard as of late. For the cursory listener, the most attention-getting tracks will likely be Joshua's "Work It Out" with the De La sample (need more house tracks like this); Halo, Penn & Chus' "Vuelve a Casa" (hard, uptempo beats juxtaposed with a dark tech bassline); Andrew Macari's "Seven of Nine" (is he referencing a certain -Borg? either way, a wonderful jazz surprise); and the list goes on and on. At times I wished he would play each song for a longer period of time before mixing to the next; I would have to say that this CD is guilty of feeding me a plate of delicious house hors d'oeuvres - each morsel satisfying me in tiny bursts but leaving me hungry for more when it's all over (though disappointed I surely am not). I'm eagerly anticipating his next installment - I just hope I'll need to pack my knife and fork when the time comes."

Infectious and undeniably danceable

eduardo_k | 06/14/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Mark Farina's "Connect" is an album full of the best kind of energy. The heavy, funky, house-driven beats can't help but make you move. While Latin Impressions "Boca De Bondoneon" (the first piece of music on the album) took me a little by surprise, by the time Swirl People's "Future Signs" blends in, the album already has you in its grasp. I've been listening to this album all morning, and this, mixed in with a little Danny Tenaglia ("Back to Basics" from him comes very highly recommended, by the way... don't miss it), and complemented with some Deep Dish, creates a volatile mix of some of the best music out there. Instead of focus on the individual tracks, I like to look at an album as a whole, and as a whole, "Connect" presents the listener with an awesome range of styles... little bit of salsa, a touch of acid jazz, graces of straight-up funk, banging house, fun experimentation, and everything in between, all served up with sexy basslines, complex percussion, horns, and Mark Farina's signature touches throughout. My favorite transitions happen between tracks 5 (Joshua's "Work It Out") and 6 (Kenny Carvajal's "Rise (Jam Version)"... if this doesn't make you move, I don't know what will! Equally as cool is Farina's move from track 9 ("Vuelve a Casa") to 10 ("Seven of Nine"). Smooth and liquid... chills you out, but keeps you movin'. Track 11 (Brett Johnson's "Jiffy Pop") does kind of slow things down for a little bit with some strange random electronic melodies, but the house groove only lets up for a brief moment, so you're back on your merry way in no time. Farina's own "Radio" reminded me of touches from Basement Jaxx, so I clicked with its fairly straightforward attack quickly. As you can tell, I loved this album, and despite the few minor issues I had with it, I'd take this over any of the countless generic unknown DJ mixes out there. Farina shows once again why he's one of the best. This album is for lovers of house music and lovers of the dance floor... so why are you still sitting down? Get up and lose yourself in the music..."

Great beat of house done by the best.

Erika | washington, dc | 05/06/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Mark Farina has come back full force. I was always wondering if he would/could ever come out with another fantastic house album that could compare with San Fran Sessions. this new gem Connect-has the same effect on me as SF Sessions does. .. makes me wanna get up and just dance! Dance left-right..shake it til you can't shake no more! Most peeps--like myself, have a special place for Mr. Farina because he IS house. He picks unique songs and adds great feel good beats and rhythm. NOt to mention is impecable/flawless turntable style. I love him. I've seen him live and heard him on CD, he is THE MAN OF HOUSE and this album represents that. The reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because some of the songs sound a little too much alike. But no matter, I play it 24/7. If you loved United DJ's, SF Sessions, you better order this now.! Summer time is coming--it's time to pop the sunroof, roll down the windows and listen to this feelgood-CD- bound to help create great memories."