Search - Safri Duo :: Episode II

Some good tracks, some bad ones

Evil. P | Toronto, Canada | 07/23/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"After Played-A-Live, I was skeptical about an album. Could they head towards another direction, or would the be stuck in a formulaic rut. I was half right, as this album does feature a lot of bongo-drum oriented tracks. Overall I'd give this 3.5 stars... here's why:1. Played-A-Live (10/10) - An excellent track - one of the highlights of 2001.2. Snakefood (5/10) - Its trance with Bongo drums, but I see this clearing the floor of a club if it were ever played as its somewhat dull. Removal of the drums would result in a good chillout track though.3. A-Gusta (4/10) - Probably my least favorite track. The drums are annoying and obnoxious. Its not trance like the previous two, but an ambient mix would be nice.4. Samb-Adagio (3/10) - The second release for Safri Duo, and really should be called Played Alive Part 2. Follow's the same formula from the build-up to the crowd noise, but this lacks the power and intensity of Played Alive. Not good (originally 6, but 3 marks deducted for lack or originality).5. Everything (6.5/10) - The drums on this are similar to Played-Alive, and though it starts off quite weak, it builds up. The vocals detract from the track though.6. Everything (Epilogue) (10/10) - This is the turnaround track on the album. Phenomenal. I finally get the chilled mix I've patiently waited for. No sign of bongo drums. A definite album highlight, and watch for this track.7. Crazy Benny (8/10) - This tune is almost breakbeat like, and begging for a true breakbeat mix (or any remix for that matter). The bongo drums are well integrated into the track, making for another album highlight.8. Baya Baya (4/10) - Any marks are for the intro, which could have turned into an outstanding chillout track, but goes in the wrong direction. Do not like the vocal at all. Another low point for Episode II.9. Adagio (9/10) - The final track on the album is a nice piece of classical music, where Safri Duo show off their roots. A relaxing piece, no drums in sight. Its in no way dance music, but its an excellent close to an album.It's a good album, but they get a little carried away with the bongo drums. For those strictly into trance, and are interested because of Played-A-Live, I suggest listening to snippets of all the tracks. Personal highlights are Played-A-Live, Everything (Epilogue), Adagio, and Crazy Benny. A good effort overall."

It was very good!

nickdaddyg | Lexington, MO USA | 07/24/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Uffe Savery and Morten Friis have made a great album here. I'll just go over the tracks. Played-A-Live: Being the most famous track on this CD, of course it's good. It got up to #2 on Hitlist Germany. It's quite fast paced. It has a great start and the "exciting part" of comes of a quiet, slow part in the song, which I like. Snakefood: It does have a "snaky" sound to it. It includse an Indian or Arab snake charming flute number, and some it does give the mood of a cunning snake. A-Gusta: I like the marimbas in this track. They give a soft touch, but then there are these low pitched melodies they add in that toughen the song. But I like the change. Samb Adagio: It's a good track. Nothing too special. It's just the percussion and a tad of electric effects.Everything: It starts with some echoing "Zoom"s and has this kind of scary, yet saddening high note of violins, maybe? It's a little borign to me, though.Everything Epilogue: Still has a sad tone to it, but it's more interesting then the original Everything. Uses mainly marimbas.Crazy Benny: starts with them Australian pipes used by Aboriginies, Didgeridoos. Strts off kind of wied, but gets pretty, "dancy." Includes some scratches.Baya Baya: A nice peaceful, with natural sounds of the beach environemt in the background. And of course the "B-B-Baya!". It makes you think of beign on vacation. A softer song, tat calms you down.Adagio: Not as lively as Samb-Adagio. It's anther softer one. It's my least favorite, but it's still OK. Overall, it's a good CD. These guys are jsut as good as Blue Man Group, but it's only 2 and their Danish. Note, that the slow, soft songs, aren't too bad, and this is still 5 star."

I look forward for their next album!

Shu | New York, NY United States | 03/24/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The first time I heard of the Safri Duo was when they passed through Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and did an amazing live performance at the Philharmonic...around two to three years ago.I was blown away by the sounds and the songs and I was determined to buy their CD, if they had one. For some reason Amazon hadn't had their CD yet...and I forgot about it at one point, because of one thing or another.A couple of months later (maybe even a year later), I saw the video on Channel V and finally I got a firm grip on the CD. Wow, if I was blown away by the live performance, I was even more amazed by the CD. Great songs, all in all. A masterful mix of their percussion ability and several blends of music that really suit the songs, even though you wouldn't think of it at first.I hope they continue to produce this level of originality."