Classical Masterpiece! (The Classic Chillout Album)

Member Name:

Product:	The Classic Chillout Album
Date:	03/01/02 (2125 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: 31 excellent trakcs.

Disadvantages: 2 poor tracks.

2001 wasn't really the year for "chillout" music, but some of those old classics kept being dragged back onto thousands of new compilations. The best of these being "The Classic Chillout Album (1)".

To really get you relaxed, the first song (Slip Into Something More Comfortable by Kinobe) starts with the sound of gentle waves.

Next, is Groove Armada's "At The River", which must be the ultimate chillout track.

Track 3 livens up slightly with a remix of Everything But The Girl's "Missing". Not too sure why this is on here, but good never the less.

I Monster's very unusual "Daydream In Blue" fits neatly in at 4th place. One problem though, the track finishes very sharply, should of been faded out.

Up next is William Orbit's usual addition to chillout albums "Barber's Adagio For Strings". Although it is definetly a relaxation track, I find it quite boring and depressing now.

The Beloved provide an essential mix of "Sweet Harmony" for track 6. I've heard this song so many times, and it just keeps getting better!

Song number 7 (Robin Youngsmith's "Adagio") isn't up to much. I tend to skip it (that's if I haven't already dozed off). Quite pretty, though.

Faithless' excellent groovy, totally chilled "Drifting Away" slots in in a superb way at number 8.

"X-Files" (yes, you heard correct- The X-Files theme tune) is track 9, which is generally a brilliant laid out classic. But, you can't help seeing those aliens beaming out of a large UFO!

Turn back time to 1996, and you get Robert Miles' chillout song of the year "Children". Luckily, the album just couldn't leave him out!

Now track 11 is what I call "Exceptionally Superb!". "Nimrod" (By Chris Davies)is a nice and slow piece mainly consisti
ng of saxophones.

I wonder what song 12(Moby's "Novio")sounds like? Not being too critical here, but doesn't the beginning sound just like Moby's "Porcelain"? (which is on the second disk).
About a minute into the song, it is sadly ruined by some quite bad vocals.

Oh, song 13 (Joolz Gianni's "Silver") send shivers down my spine it's so entertaining! I really can't see how you could hate it, the saxophone's once again make up another classic.

Morcheeba's "World Looking in" is a credible chillout anthem, but they have strong hints of pop mixed in on this particular track.

I have to say, Chicane has remixed this song in the best of ways. This huge chillout anthem of summer 1999 "Saltwater" features the creepy but effective vocals of Máire Brennan (Of Clannad, Enya's sister).

To finish with (on the first disk), the biggest chilled track of 2001 "American Dream" wraps the album up nicely. The best part being where it quietens down into a piano.

It's not finished already is it? Luckily, we're only half way through.

Disk 2 starts off incredibly well, with a song that mainly features a strange mumbling lullaby of some kind. (You may have heard a sample of it on Mauro Picotto's "Komodo").
The song is by Deep Forest and is entitled "Sweet Lullaby".

Art Of Noise are back with another song "Moments In Love which really isn't them at thier best. The same tune repeats through the whole song with people chanting "Moments In Love".

Another suprise- NOT! Ennio Morricone's "Chi Mai" is on every Chillout album I can name. And with all due respect, it's a truly excellent chillout song!

I'm sure this song was just on the other disk! Well, it was (sort of). This is the original version of "Saltwater", entitled "
;Harry's Game". Sounds much better with Chicane's mixing skills.

Chris Davies returns ith a second helping of increbdible music. Maybe not as impressive as "Nimrod", but "To A Wild Rose" definetly has a good touch to it.

There had to be one! Michael Nyman's "Molly" is totally sour. Although some may find the violins beautiful, I really can't stand the track. Way too chilled out to be likeable.

The album's highpoint must be track 7: Enigma's gigantic 1990 hit "Sadeness Part 1". Latin and French lyrics mingled in with the best mixing I've ever experienced. It's such a pity Enigma didn't really do much else.

Ryuichi Sakamoto has added some authentic Asian sound to the album with "Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence". Brilliant art, but Watergate's remake of the tune was well improved.

Everyone has heard this Ennio Morricone track aswell! The chillout master has supplied one more song "The Mission"- Brilliant!

Moby's also returned for one last hit "Porcelain". This was the 2000 chillout anthem, and will remain one of mine and most peoples favourites.

"No Ordinary Morning" by Chicane is out of this world! Smooth vocals and great mixing.

"Oxygene Part 2" is one of those tracks which you never know who does it (no offense Jean). You just assume it's a classic which is done by many artists, it's so good! Another track which is constantly firing out of my stereo!

Next, is Delerium's "Silence". Not one scratch compared to the remix that was released around a year ago, but is magical in certain aspects.

Track 14 is a beautiful, sweet saxophone number by Joolz Gianni. It's melody has a distinctive and memorable rhythm to it. (Entitled "Pavane Opus 50)

Song 15 is an instrumental of Celine Dion's awful track "My H
eart Will Go On". Obviously, it's at least 100 times better minus the vocals (I usually find this with instrumentals). Quite hypnotic and peaceful.
Just in case you're wondering, the name of the song is "Rose", and has been composed bu James Horner.

Sweetly remastered anthem "The Flower Duet" (from the British Airways advert) is one of the finest tracks off the second CD.

To close a successful Chillout Album, Adiemus' "Song Of Tears" flows along for over 8 minutes. A soothing song with lovely vocal chanting throughout.

So, i've come to the conclusion that "The Classic Chillout Album" is the most comprehensive, full relaxation album of 2001.

Summary: