Search - Shantel :: Higher Than the Funk

Yes, Yes, YES!!!!

12/29/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is one of those "creeper" albums. At first, i was tempted to dismiss it as being too technology heavy, etc.... however, after a few listenings, i became adicted to the subtle nuances thatthis album offers. It's a great party album and has the tendancy to throw a whole room of otherwise civilized folks, into a wild swarming dance troupe.buy it and love it!"

Spectacular collection of chill downtempo

D. A. Lewis | Palmdale, CA | 08/19/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What amazes me about this album is that it is from one musician (s?). There are so many good songs on this CD it's almost like it a compilation collection. Internet radio station Groove Salad plays at least 9 songs from this CD. My favorites are Philosophy, which has a trippy psychedelic tribal type beat, Tosca session, which has some interesting military type percussion beats driving the music and Fiercely Independent which has some Lazy type percussion beats driving the song ending with a melancholy type accent. Simply there are so many great songs here, I consider Higher than the Funk one of my most valuable CDs. BTW, I read some where that the girl on the cover has nothing to do with CD. However, the juxtaposition of her with the this trippy downtempo chill music is too fascinating to dismiss."

Understated, elegant affair

theformersnqueen | Pittsburgh, PA | 06/18/2001

(3 out of 5 stars)

"elements of dub and very light melodies permeate the greater portion of this disc. the beats are mellow resulting in quite understated downtempo. its rhythms have an elegant, refined quality to them, though not overproduced or slick since there are of a basic, primal...almost tribal nature. higher than the funk is not an overwhelming album (and i mean this in a positive way). it carries you along on a continuous wave with slight thematic and rhythmic variations. stefan hantel (a.k.a shantel - no, the little girl with the gold tooth on the cover is not the artist!) makes use of the voice as an instrument from which he culls a few notes, however this is not lyrical trip hop. i found the first track "tell me why is it oh so hard to be oh so lovely," inconsistent with the rest of the albums somewhat sparse but melodic approach. the vocals, which are the dominant element of the song, are too plaintive and flat to carry such simple lyrics forward. skip to philosophy and avoid "i am exactly what you are looking for." both of these tracks remind me of the pastels, so perhaps if you enjoy their music, you would consider this a perk! a fine downtempo album."