"Easily one of my favorite albums, with an infectious mix of jazz fusion, latin, and even some calypso thrown in for good measure. I love the trademark blend of Chieli Minucci's creative acoustic and electric guitar with George Jinda's diverse rhythms and percussion instruments. This album contains a cherry-picked selection from the Peace of the World, Double Feature, Global Village, Mystique, Just Like Magic, Slice of Life, Modern Manners, and Confidential albums. My personal favorites are Jazz Lambada, Uptown East, Daybreak, Udu Voodoo, and My Place in the Sun (recorded from 1985 - 1993). It's 73 minutes of heaven. The music of Special EFX has broad appeal; try playing it at a social event and see for yourself."
Russell J. Schultz
Russell J. Schultz | Green Bay,WI | 07/09/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Chieli Minucci (Key-l-ee-mi-new-chee)!!! Really shines with his absolutely beautiful , effortlessly flowing guitar artistry!! 'Jamaica,Jamaica','Ballerina', and especially 'Daybreak' left a huge impression on me!! Top shelve material!! Rich in vitality!! A musical 'Carribean Cruise' if you will!!! Treat yourself with this treasure and buy this CD!! You'll probably buy more of Special EFX as a result!!"
Great Jazz Fusion/Smooth Jazz/Great Sound Quality Too!
Frederick Baptist | Singapore | 10/18/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This like most of the discs in the GRP Digital Masters series is a very well produced cd. The sound quality for a 1993 disc is very good. This is a great selection of the best of Special Efx and anyone who likes smooth jazz/fusion aka light entertainment is in for a real treat here. Recommended."
Wonderful Stuff
John P Bernat | Kingsport, TN USA | 06/16/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"It will happen.
We will see an revival of the "new age" music created in this era. We will enjoy again the sheer musicality and creativity bespoken by groups like Special EFX.
This collections is memorable for quite a few reasons, but my favorite cut remains the very first Special EFX song I ever heard, "Hands of the Healer." It starts out like space music, establishing an ethereal realm for almost 90 seconds, and then, suddenly, strikes two quick, bright chords which, inexplicably, drop in pitch. From this point on, the listener is slightly off balance, not quite sure what to expect. And the "tune" that follows this passage is memorable and irresistable.
It will happen - this music will enter a classic, timeless place which will live long beyond the immediate."