"I'm sure you've done it.. bought any number of ubiquitous house compilation cds only to fine one or two gems surrounded by unimaginative and derivative filler. This is NOT one of those compilations. Kevin Yost has done what few djs have managed to do: skillfully blend house, jazz and techno, while focusing on the melody (no screaming divas to distract from the musicianship here). I bought it after only hearing two tracks at the local mega-record store..and I haven't stopped listening to it since. This one will end up in your permanent collection. Makes perfect laid back boogie music or excellent background tunes. Play it in your cubicle at work and I just about guarantee that people will ask you who it is..even those who claim to hate 'dance music'."
Jazz house at it's best
houserat | Syracuse, NY USA | 04/19/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Once again I have to blast the people who choose to rate house music on the merits of some lavish career of judging other genras. Why do you do this to yourselves? As Eddie said, "Not everyone understands house music." Try dancing to this stuff a little before you break it down. What a concept, dancing to house music? Anyway on to the show....Kevin Yost does an excellent job of mixing his jazzy blend of house music and he does credit to the Twisted America label. "Twisted," which does a lot of house music hasn't really done a lot of the jazzy house like say OM records. I'm glad Twisted went with this set because it really rocks. The bass is booming, the mixing & tempo is smooth and the instrumentation is soothing. I usually equate this type of house music with sexy since if you get your girl to a party with this stuff playing, she'll probably get in the mood for more than just dancing... wink, wink. If you like house music but don't always want to hear the aggressive stuff that makes your ears work hard, then give this a try. People who like this should also check out Mark Farina and David Alvarado. Overall this is an excellent addition to any house collection. Nuff said!"
JAZZ FUNK HOUSE
solarpiranha | Phoenix | 12/28/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Yes, as the man himself (Kevin yost) describes it, "JAZZ FUNK HOUSE". This is a new sub-genre of house music as we know it and kevin yost is the mad scientist who cooked it up and put his love, sweat, and tears into every track. I love this cd, it has a sweet blend of smooth jazz, house beats, and souful basslines, all equaling up to to music that sets up a perfect atmosphere for a laid back get together for people who want to dance or people who just want to kick back and enjoy the scenery. I was a freinds party recently, I played this cd and every body loved it. Kevin obviously was born with funk, and just flat out good taste in music and he uses his creativity to lay down some sick tracks. Ever since I heard this cd of original music I have been in a mad rush to find more music like it. If you like this try david alvarado, kevin yost, harry the bastard, marques watt, dj garth or nude dimensions naked music. Listen and enjoy."
Classic, unobtrusive, and smoother than a baby's bottom
eduardo_k | Los Angeles, CA United States | 02/27/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I originally stumbled across this work when it was masquerading as part of Distance's 'In Motion' 3-CD set along with Paul Johnson and Luke Solomon, and have since proceeded to purchase Small Town Underground -- just to have two copies of the same masterpiece in my possession. If you are one to tire easily of vocal-heavy tracks and predictable melodies, this is the CD for you. Kevin's work in many ways encompasses the future of true house music, without heading too far off the continuum (read: progressive). He pays tribute to the roots of modern music by incorporating elements of jazz and spoken word...all the while successfully maintaining an aloof quality to his track selection. This is music that stimulates the thought process, music that invites you to search for a deeper meaning, rather than coercing you to find a shallow one. We all know that true art can be experienced an infinite number of times, and each time you can walk away with something new. Small Town Underground, in this sense, is truly a work of art."
A great dance floor jazzy house mix
Phurge | Sydney, Australia | 04/22/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I love Jazz and I love House. But there is so many boring "jazzy house" mix cds out there, it can be hard sifting through them to find the quality mixes.This cd is quality. A dancefloor oriented house mix that does everything a good mix cd should. Great tunes, mixed well with a flow through the cd.Highly reccomended!(as a side note - I bought this cd on the strength of the amazon.com revews - I suggest you do too)"