Search - Various Artists :: Cafe Del Mar: the Best of

The Pearl of Ibiza

Nick Choy | Canada | 10/23/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"How do I begin with telling you how great this album is? Well, firstly - this album inspired me to buy more chillout-type music. Secondly - since I've bought it like two years ago, I've loaned it out to at least 10 different people. And third - all, if not most of the songs are breathtaking!! Imagine music that could take you away on a mind comforting journey to a far away place - be it about a beautiful peaceful setting you've been or even a place you wish you could be at.............then this CD is the one!



About the album - CD inserts and liner notes are great! It provides the buyer with a brief history of Ibiza music and the origins of the Cafe Del Mar CD series and its DJs. Great! Track list is well arranged and features world class artists of several genres, which I find amazing! Also, the remixes are done to perfection, not only bringing out the tones of the original song but also the enhances the mixes as well.



About the songs - CD01 I find is just as good as CD02. Firstly, the Cd starts off with "Entre dos aguas" by Paco De Lucia. Anyone unfamiliar with Paco is seriously missing out in the Spanish flamenco guitar genre. If you like Eastern drum beats with groovy flamenco or rhumba - then this is the song of songs. Entre dos aguas is one of Paco's worldwide hits. And the best part of this song was that it was originally done by improvisation (a skill that even veteran guitar players have trouble mastering). U've got to hear it to understand! A great start to the rest of the CD! The second song by Karen Ramirez is also a masterpiece. Her vocals are mesmerizing.......good range too! My other favourites are "Northern Lights" by Lux, "Angelica" by Lamb, and "Uschi's groove" by The Ballistic Brothers. Very trancy like ambient type tunes, almost like being at a beach in Ibiza.



To sum up - the first disc is filled with baeleric type, ambient trance beats, along with some downtempo chillout electronic. Very good mix indeed! I never get tired of listening to this disc and it always puts a smile on my face.



CD02 I feel is very close to CD01 in quality and sound. The only difference about this disc is that the music is a little more uptempo. First, it starts off with The Penguin Cafe Orchestra's "Music for a found harmonium". Anyone familiar with the Napolean Dynamite Movie Soundtrack would know this song. A great piece of music - very groovy indeed! The next track "Face a la Mer" just emphasizes how great of a artist Massive Attack is. Great spacy electronic beats - a delight! My other personal favourites are "Easter Song" by A Man Called Adam, "Sunshine's Better" - remixed by Talvin Singh, U2's "In a little while" - remixed by N.O.W, "Paradise" (Tease mix), and "Talking with Myself" ('98 Canny remix). Great songs to check out!



To sum up - CD02 is a mix of blissful uptempo chillout beats with lots of electronic and mesmerizing vocals by U2, John Martyn, Nookie etc. There's also orchestraric feats by AR Rahman and of course The Penguin Cafe Orchestra. CD02 is a perfect companion to CD01 - which in today's standards..........a rare find!



About Jose Padilla - I'm going to be brief: Great ambient chillout genius. His use of spanish guitar and latin beats gives his songs a certain style and distinct character. If you like the Cafe Del Mar series, check out his other projects like Cafe Solo, El Sueno De Ibiza OST, Navigator etc.



Play this CD - At home after a hard day, as background music while cooking or dining, while driving, for introducing the chillout genre or Cafe Del Mar series to someone who is totally new to chillout/ ambient music, and of course - to chill. Must I remind you that I've actually loaned this CD out to at least 10 ppl. already? Need I say more........??



Check out my listmania "The Very Best Chillout" for more exciting CDs!!



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