Search - Chicane, Mas :: Chilled

Wonderful

Chris L. | New Brunswick, NJ USA | 09/09/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's time to congratulate Chicane (Nick Bracegirdle) on his first widely published remix compilation. Chicane avoids falling victim to the temptation to accept bland remixes that seems to plague a lot of artists. It seems that oftentimes musicians, while remixing songs of others or of their own, end up corrupting the soul of the music that they're working with, and instead end up with a mess thats neither reminiscent of the original, nor suitably original to be dubbed its own title.Songs like the Power Circle 'A Man Called Adam' remix of "Offshore 97" bring out the best in Chicane's peers' abilities to recognize the core features of his music and bring it into a new height. While the original "Offshore" was an active, uplifting, and energetic song, the remix brings to it the salty freshness of oceanside relaxation, making for a sooothing result that you can dance to or relax to with equal ease. This is not to discount the original work, however. Chicane's original productions are masterpieces in themselves, but these remixes manage to climb to similar heights by presenting the songs in a different light, while still maintaining their original construction. I suppose it's similar to how I view the four seasons, winter, fall, summer, spring. They're all different, with their own unique characteristics, but I love them each for their own reasons. Similarly, these remixes manage to fade themselves into a different "season" and express a different tone while maintaining the heart of the originals that they are derived from. This album from Bracegirdle is a masterpiece. Every song deserves its own recognition, and I listen to each with equal interest. It's been months since I first got a hold of these songs, and I still can't stop listening to them. Call me boring or bland, but they're too good to put down. I love it."

Excellent samples of Chicane sensibilities

Aaron Dodson | Riverside, California | 06/17/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a must-have CD for Chicane fans for two solid reasons:



1. It has 3 remixes of Chicane's music by Chicane himself and 1 by his engineer/producer buddy who understands what Chicane's music is all about.



2. Most of these remixes otherwise exist on seperate singles and are usually the only good ones on the bunch. So this CD is more listening bang for your buck.



Now for my review:



The first track is the original Offshore album version from "Far from the Maddening Crowds", the crown jewel of that album. Without a doubt considered the best Ibizan trance song ever by most critics/fans of the genre. Enough said.



The second track, believe it or not, is just a renamed version of the Disco Citizen's mix of Sunstroke on "FFTMC" which is track 6 on that album. This is also an excellent song and in my opinion superior to the "original version" which appears on track 9 of that same album. Very upbeat and perfect for freeway driving. Disco Citizens is simply the name of Chicane's alter-ego.



The third track is found on the "Lost You Somewhere" singles pushed out in 1997 and is by far the weakest remix on this collection. The original version on the full album of "FFTMC" is far superior. I agree with the previous reviewer; this mix is derivative and prolonged.



The fourth track is a Disco Citizens remix of "Strong in Love" which appeared as track 3 on the EP of the same name. This is an excellent remix which Chicane left largely untouched from his original version, which is superior but unfortunately not on this album. Still, this track is worthy of this collection and an excellent listen. If you find you like it, I strongly recommend the "Strong in Love" EP which has both versions and a Radio Edit. This song is widely regarded as Chicane's best work between his "Far from the Maddening Crowds" and "Behind the Sun" full-length albums.



The fifth track is, well, a remix of a remix. On "FFTMC" Chicane's original album version of this track is an ambient dreamy affair with lilting voices and tones. The album remix was a flourishing bass and synth-driven affair which I've already stated is fantastic. Well, this remix takes that mix and adds even more adrenaline into the mix with more synths while subduing the moving bassline a bit. Excellent for exercising to.



Finally, the last track is the most original remix of Chicane's seminal "Offshore 97" single. You can't improve on perfection, especially when it comes to the song that put Chicane on the map and, again, is considered THE standard-bearer of Balearic/Ibizan trance. So what does this remix do? It's what earned the title of this compilation. It re-interprets the already "chilled out" sounds of the song into another era, using 1970's electric piano and a fantastic electric guitar bassline that glides through the song. Chicane's melodies and signature remain, but are complimented by another kind of chill which blends smoothly and surprisingly well. This is about as organic as you can remix a Chicane track. This isn't a remix. It's a perfect re-imagining of a perfect song.



With all of Chicane's EP's and singles becoming rarities you do not want to pass this compilation up.

"

For the mind,body,and soul.....

M. Faisal Ahmad | Yorktown, Virginia USA | 03/19/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This 6 track CD is a pure gem, reflecting such boundaries of musical soundscapes. Chicane is truly amazing in the way, he creates and hence entwines progressive trance, dream house,ambient,and breaks with his unique style. All of the tracks were great. However, I though that the Disco Citizens Remix of "Strong In Love", would have been better, with the vocals......The original full length version, which contains the vocals is on the CD single, which I luckily did find, inspite of being out of print....But overall, the cd is worth buying. Also very impressive is the "A Man Called Adam" remix of the song "Offshore 97", which is very relaxing."