Search - Various :: Body & Soul Vol. 3

Body & Soul, Overhyped?

punkdolphin | Punk Dolphin - NYC/Amsterdam | 10/25/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Body & Soul", one of NYC's premiere parties hosted by Joe Claussell, Danny Krivit, and Francois K., has released the third installment of their Body & Soul series. At the Summerstage this year, an outdoor event held in Central Park, the surging crowds had to be turned away at different points because of overcrowding. Now with this series of mixes, they try to bring the feel of Body & Soul into the home environment for the house fan that is unable to attend this event.It opens with a nice mellow vocal track from Yoriba, featuring the lovely voice of Marie St. James. "Closer I Get", which became a staple at Body & Soul this summer, is strictly based on the strength of Marie St. James' voice. Then it goes into a track from Hardrive 2000, which I found totally forgettable. That track trudges along with its plain vocals for a good six minutes before the mix picks up again."Philly's Groove" lives up to its name because this track has a groove. A trippy-jazz house track that definitely picks up the vibe on the mix and increases it a level! With EQ effects and delays on the horns, it bounces at a very dancer-friendly pace. "Equitorial" from Dubtribe Sound System is another hot afro-latin house track that those who frequent house clubs are probably familiar with. If not, it's heavy in percussions and swaying hips! Throw in a chant and you have yourself a fun song that's damn good for dancing. That's followed by Soul Ascendents' "Tribute", which has appeared on NUMEROUS compilations, but still a solid track. This is a slightly different mix than the album version, but the difference is miniscule. Another stand-out in the mix is the track by Scott Grooves, "Organ Nights", which is a down-tempo house with a nice organ solo. Despite its nine-minute running time, this track will really grow on you with it's after hours feel.   With a total of 12 tracks, there are some klunkers in the mix. Honorable mention goes out to Aril Brikha's "Groove La Chord" and Snowboy's "Casaforte" remixed by Joe Claussell. Overall, not a bad mix, but it doesn't seem to really spark to many fires underneath my soles. It is slightly above the average house mix, but never really hits the strength of the Body & Soul parties. It's a mix that you'll play when you don't want to think of something to play, but not the mix you'll necessarily play to kick the party into orbit.Slightly disappointing."

Good Predictable Deep House...

Zain Rashid | Irving, TX United States | 05/06/2002

(3 out of 5 stars)

"It's like one of those mystery movies that takes you on a ride only towards a not-so-well ending. Same "A-list" producers and tracks, same mellow, slow-building style of mixing... as a DJ myself, I'm very attentive towards the whole "presentation" thing and for three talented DJ's with over 50 years of experience between them, to dish out entire tracks one at a time is an insult to the person who REALLY wants to get down. again, there are 3 DJ's, what are they doing? I understand it for an 8-10 hour dance-a-thon, for 74 minutes, I need more than this. If you've never heard any track on this cd before then you'll love it, otherwise.... "ehhh""

After a powerful weekend, where better to cool off?

simonthesorcerer | New York, NY USA | 10/02/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Body&Soul-sundays@vinyl :) Just got back from the party a few hours ago.. Bought the CD on my way out for a friend who doesn't get a chance to come to NYC. It is the bomb.. I will post a detailed review later, right now I'm too busy chilling on my couch and listening to the CD."