Search - Paul Oakenfold :: Ibiza

Any album that promotes the word Ibiza = cheese...

Saint Santiago | Bay Area, California | 02/04/2005

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Even though Oakey is making a strong comeback with his latest album "Creamfields" (highly recommended), this album, along with Bunkka, typifies why this extrodinary DJ has received a very bad rap of late. Don't get me wrong, I love Oakenfold, but his meteoric success has the unfortunate effect of selling out artistry for commercialism. Since 2001 or so, Oakey has become more of a franchise than a DJ, selling pop remixes, soundtracks to Playstation games, and hobknobing with the likes of Justin Timberlake and U2. I can understand why many of his fans abhor him for trying to make a buck at the expense of quality.



Ibiza is substandard Oakey, with cheesey songs and average technique. It sometimes makes me wonder, if an amatuer DJ would have cut this set, would it be called "brilliant"? However, since this ablum is from Mr. O, he has to present us with a gem everytime. Anything less is cheese. Oakenfold and Tiger Woods suffer the same malaise of extreme public expectation.



I also want to take note and ask why are record labels slapping "Ibiza" on everything that is related to dance?? A once-unknown island getaway for E-trippers and Euro-candyravers is now the self-appointed Mecca of dance music?? Just because an album has Ibiza on it does NOT guarantee a masterpiece. In fact, I steer clear from any album that mentions any reference to Ibiza. Otherwise, I am in for a guaranteed chedder-fest.



I am so glad that Oakey has reinvented himself and is returning to his roots and craftmanship. Although Bunkka, Ibiza, Great Wall, and Swordfish all represent a watered-down, commercial doppleganger of Oakenfold, these albums nevertheless are an important transition period in the history of the world's most influential DJ of all-time.



If you are following the chronology of Oakenfold, do yourself a favor, get everything from 1994-2001, especially the Cream sets, ending with Travelling (excellent CD BTW), skip everything after that, and start over with Creamfields. Your ears will respect you in the morning.



I saw Oakey live recently at a Tsunami benefit. Da brotha still got it!"

Where is Paul & what have you done with him??

M. Byer | Mountain View, CA USA | 07/22/2003

(2 out of 5 stars)

"OUCH. Was he trying to sell out, go for a pop chart hit?Boring. Really bad singing & sampling. Annoyingly simple techno that starts with nothing and goes nowhere. I am heavily dissapointed. Disc 2 is slightly better, but I found I could not make it through most tracks. Paul Oakenfold has some great CDs, but this is not one of them."

Hmm....I don't know

moskovia2 | East Lansing, MI United States | 07/18/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I liked the CD and as mentioned, it grows on you. There were only two songs that I really can call my favorites: CD1;track 8;Maas Attacks and CD2:track 11;ResuRection (space club mix). Maas Attacks is really unique and very spooky. And ResuRection (space club mix) really does make you feel like you are in space. But that is just me, you might like the rest more!
Gotta love P. Oakenfold though, the songs may not be his usual, but he does a great job DJing."