Search - Various Artists :: Brazilution 5.2

A far better product than its predecessor

Jack Dempsey | South Miami Beach, Florida | 01/08/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is, as the outstanding reviewer below me pointed out, an outstanding release. To go into each song here, particularly those that are exclusive to this release, would really be foolish. Just know and understand that this is a monumentally good release. It's much, much better than the first in this series, and a very surprisingly well put together product for something that comes from those that make up the abomination that is the "Ministry of Sound" label/house. There are simply far too many superior labels out there that are more deserving of your money GENERALLY than they (i.e., ESL, Compost, Far Out, Mr. Bongo, Schema, NRK. Seamless/Kinkysweet, Hed Kandi, Dolce Vita, etc.) Those truly know a fine product.



But here, here MOS has delivered an extremely well-placed product that is, for lack of a better word, fantastic. You simply cannot go wrong here and it even, dare I say, far surpasses some of the Brazilectro releases (which really try to be far too over-reaching in volume and sometimes become far too generic and mainstream). Having said that, to digress just a bit, definitely check out the latest installment of the Brazilectro series. It too is not to be missed.



As the other lone reviewer has said so well, definitely get this release. You will not regret it."

Good, but not great

sbh246 | 08/30/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"It was a little more techno and bland than I expected. I was looking for something that sounded a little more jazzy/brazilian/bossa nova/acid jazz/etc"

GET THIS ALBUM!

bordersj2 | Boston | 10/05/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Boy did this come out late - it was a late Spring release in Germany! But it is well worth the wait. "Brazilectro", "Brazilation", "Brazilution"... "Brazilectro" is the original series that kicked off in 2000, which spans 6 volumes on the Audiopharm label. "Brazilation" is a knock-off. "Brazilution" is a spin-off project of Brazilectro released by Ministry of Sound. It features the originators of the Brazilectro series, Jens-Uwe Welge and Arndt Kielstropp. Ministry wanted to do the more ambient, downtempo side of nu-Brazil (Done before with Brazilectro III) hence Brazilution was born, albeit with a small oversight in coordinating the volumes. This one's a bit different from the previous. The format of this set will remind you of Break & Bossa 6. CD1 is semi-mixed with original tracks in almost all their glory while CD2 is completely mixed from one song into the next.



Like B&B 6, these cuts are of the highest quality; including the original takes which separates the series from the many other knock-offs. You have an amazing track by Natures Plan featuring Azymuth titled "Somewhere Beyond" with a neat bass-line and bridges that will make you gaze into the stars. Tricatel Inc's "Alegria" is a track that is very easy-going and mellow, a song that's seemingly tailor-made to fit this cd. It is a perfect prelude to the sexiness of the first 25 seconds to "Ailton Ligeiro". That track... flawless introduction but it could've done without the cuica. But a remix to Jazzinho's "Constelacao" is bangin' with that fresh beat and when the music stops and Guida's voice drips over silence a split second before kickin' up again... amazing! CD1 was just the warm-up - CD2 is when the party gets going. Starting out with a smooth P'taah track, you're taking through a true Latin club experience. Quality cuts by Amigos Invisibles, Aaron Bingle, Banda Favela, Russ Gabriel (well needed remix!), Ive Mendes (Another hot remix) highlight the club vibe. Something about that beat of Duran & Garcia (Duranti/Belladonna) remix of "Samba De Ile" that pumps me up. Rounding out the double disc set is a cut taken off of Xaver Fischer Trio's remix project that's given a head-in-the-clouds face-lift by Nicola Conte.



You've gotta check this one out. I couldn't even mention all the great tracks here, including some of the other exclusive cuts. It's like they took a page out of Glucklich 5 on how to set a consistent mood and Schema on the general format. But is it flawless? Patricia Marx track didn't fit so well IMO, and "Parabens" by Marcos Valle was also on Brazilectro 6. Arndt Kielstropp did a great job on disc two however the fading was very weak, ironically, when he added the three Schema influenced cuts in the end. I dig Janice Andrade, but her cut here didn't have that bounce she usually has in her slow tracks. And I've never been a huge fan of Max De Castro's work when there's singing involved. However there's more than enough material to garner giving this set a try - you may end up diggin' some of the artists featured. My advice - if you can, check the vinyl version. And if you do get this and like it, check Brazilution 5, Brazilectro 3, Brazilation and maybe Bargroovees: Espace Prive."