Search - Various Artists :: Zen & The Art of Chilling 2 (Dig)

Much better than the first!

Shantell Powell | Kitchener, ON, Canada | 07/09/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Zen & the Art of Chilling Vol. 2 is vastly superior to Vol. 1. In my opinion, the first CD was mostly boring, with a few standout tracks. This time around, it's mostly excellent tracks with only a couple boring ones.Middle Eastern and North African rhythms and instrumentation dominate, this time around. Turkish, Algerian, and Egyptian music seem to be the new trend, usurping the electronic tinged bhangra and qawwali of India and Pakistan.The CD opens with the gorgeous vocals of Natacha Atlas. "Ana" is a slow piece by Transglobal Underground, and it's a beautiful song. It is ideal for the taxim section of a raqs sharqi routine, or for just chilling.Balthazar's "Gypsy Tears" follows, and although it isn't one of my favourite tracks, it is good. Sad Rom violins pair with worldbeat keyboards and percussion to make pleasant background music."Un Ange en Paix" is next, by Amina featuring Zohar. Although I didn't care much for either Amina or Zohar's solo albums, I do like the work they do together. This track sounds much like Algeria meets Paris. The music (and lyrics) are very French cafe, but the singing scale is Arabic.Jah Wobble and Bill Laswell follow up with "Radio Axiom (Alsema Dub)" which has a happy, African sound to it with heavy background bass. The next few songs are triphop tinged with various world music. "Paths" by Robert Miles is triphop with a Gypsy feel. This is an interesting pairing of sounds, and the vocalist reminds me a little bit of Bjork. FJ Rehmi's "Invisible Rain" also has a triphop sound. This time, it's paired with Indian tablas and sampled voices. Although it's not a bad song, I find it less interesting than "Paths". Boyb Holroyd's "The Spaces In-Between" also uses a triphop rhythm with Chinese music and jazz. It's most effective when the Chinese music is predominant. The rest of the time, it feels more like new age world muzak.Emma Shapplin's "The Inferno (Galactic Caravan Mix)" also uses triphop rhythms, but this time, it's paired with soaring medieval vocals. The effect is very similar to the music of QNTAL, and this is one of my favourite tracks on the album.Zohar featuring Hakim is next with "Sketches of Egypt," the most annoying track on the album. Although I enjoyed Hakim's recent solo album, his voice is relentless and whiney in this track. Skip it.Aziza A sings "Deniz (Sea)" in a light, jazzy style with triphop rhythms. Her voice is mellifluous and compliments the reed instruments. The result is monochromatic and strong.Agricantus's "The Essence", like Emma Shapplin's piece, is dominated by a strong female voice. This time, the voice is used as a musical instrument, rather than as a medium to share lyrics. At times, her voice reminds me of Lisa Gerrard's (of Dead Can Dance) crossed with a loon. The samples of water sounds go far in promoting this loon idea....Boozoo Bajou, with "YMB", continues the nature theme with more bird and bubbling water samples moving into Pan flute and heavier triphop rhythms. The song isn't very adventurous, but slow and ponderous without being too "sounds of nature"--just the thing if you're trying to calm down after a stressful day. Rollercone also continues the nature motif in "Detends-Toi" with the sounds of rain. Djembe drumming adds a very mild spice to an otherwise bland song. Gotan Project meet Chet Baker introduces the jazziest piece with "Round About Midnight." Like "Un Ange en Paix," this has a very Parisian cafe sound.The last song, "Scent of Time" by Dragon Chai, reminds me of Deep Forest with its hopeful, upbeat rhythm and aboriginal mixed with Chinese stringed instruments. It's a total melange of world styles mixed with the everpresent triphop rhythms."

Let the journey begin

Enrique Torres | San Diegotitlan, Califas | 12/12/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a compilation that will take you on a magical musical journey without leaving the confines of your cozy habitat. It is full of Middle Eastern music and other world music adventures . All the songs are obviously on the mellow side, made clear by the title and puntuated by the backbeats, jazzy riffs, bleeps and dropouts manipulated electronically as the non-Western instruments and vocals dart in and out for a relaxing effect. If you like dub and electro-jazz mixed with your exotic sitars and tablas than you are going to like this magic carpet ride. The disc has a flow and continuity to it rarely found in compilations. Beginning with the vocals of Natasha Atlas and the Transglobal Underground, the album begins like a morning prayer, slowly cascading into a droning echoing trance that is sudenly the beginning of the third track! The transition between songs is barely noticeable and the result is a cohesive soundtrack to your zen moments. The flow and continuity are one of the strengths of this disc along with the choice of music. One complaint I have for this beautiful bit of artistry is that there is very little information about the featured artists. There is credit given to the writers of the songs and sometimes a mention of where the song was taken from but there just isn't enough background information. For example on "Ana" no mention is made of who sings but in this case I fortunatley knew it was Natasha Atlas; sometimes a mention of the group is given only without who is actually singing. Maybe in the collective spirit of things it just isn't important. Other than this minor irritant this disc is full of good vibes and relaxing melodies that paint a desert landscape with minarets in front of a blood red sky, swirling in a collage of sounds that produce a transandental mood. This is an adventurous disc that takes the world weary to places unknown. After a stressed out day this is the perfect disc to play and groove the night away. There really are no weak moments on the disc, there are mostly transition points of reference to ease into before you continue on your aural journey. Highly recommended for those that like to chill and appreciate the moments of life. Buy this disc, relax and put on a pair of good headphones and let your mind be your flotation device."

Oh God

Arlo Vortex | Third Stone | 11/08/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've had this CD for a few months and listened to it a few times as background music when people were over. Even though everyone asks me who it is and tell me how much they love it, I haven't yet distinguished it from the Trance Planet compilations which are sporatic and others. Until last night when I listened to it by myself. Wow. Every track is absolutely excellent. Except the Bill Laswell tune which is truly obnoxious. Great flow, worldly, electronic with a traditional indigenous feel. Definitely get it. I've just ordered Zen #1. I hope it fares as well as this."