Lounging on a tropical sea breeze
U. Hänninen | Finland | 02/27/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"'Gemini' was first released in 1999. It went by largely unnoticed, even if tracks from the album later appeared on countless chillout and downtempo compilations, including Ambient Lounge Vol. 1, Brazilelectro, Science Fiction Jazz Vol. 5, Karma Lounge Vol. 2, Real Ibiza Vol. 5, Serve Chilled Vol. 2.It is easy to grasp why individual tracks made their way to so many compilations. Sven Van Hees creates music that is fresh, relaxed, jazzy, sensual, chilled and, at least for most people, fairly anynonymous so as to fit perfectly into the company of other similar artists: Thievery Corporation, Mo' Horizons, Boozoo Bajou, Moodorama, Dzihan & Kamien.But this actually works even better on its own. 'Gemini' is an excellent chillout album from start to finish. There are some amazing tracks here - especially the four first, which are among the best of the genre. This is electronic downtempo with occasional samples or female voices thrown in between. The tracks are atmospheric and refreshing, flowing gently by like a tropical sea breeze, an image also suggested by the lagoon in the CD cover.Repetition or monotony is not necessarily a fault in this genre, but this is largely avoided by the frequent use of real instruments, including flute, guitar and saxophone. The weakest part is perhaps 'Tamiami Blues' and 'Supafly (Hannah's Lullaby)' but even these work fine by mellowing the mood. For those looking for a high-quality chillout album, 'Gemini' is an excellent choice."
Smooooooth groove
Laura Hamilton | Saratoga CA USA | 12/23/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a fabulous CD. It sounds just like the CD cover looks... a relaxing, almost tropical vibe, a musical vacation to take you away from everything and smooth over your everyday worries while still keeping you moving around to the beat.The first song, "Matrass Mambo", opens up the CD with a very smooth loungy groove, and a couple whispering to one another in French during their romantic..ahem... explorations of one another. VERY sexy, and a very cool slow groovy beat expanding the whole time. The second song is a bit cheesy, with a girl's vocals sampled in...her thoughts on cavemen and all that. It's my least favorite song on the CD, still, it's not a bad song by any means. The music behind all the tracks is exceptional. The last song is likewise a bit cheesy, because whereas the first song has a couple whispering sexy things in French (which I speak fluently) in what really sounds like the absolute heat of passion, the last song has an American woman saying sexy things in a hard, not so sexy voice, as though she were reading from a cue card. That might fly if you're European and English holds some kind of thrill for you, but it sounds kind of lame if you're American. I would have preferred some other vocals to go along with the great grooves.The rest of the CD is just amazing...would be great for a chill-out evening with friends, candlelight, maybe a spliff passed around...you can definitely get up and slow groove around to it, but it's thoroughly relaxing and has a great vibe. If you're looking for harder beats that will get everyone dancing, try someone else (Kruder and Dorfmeister, for example), but if you like more downbeat music like Tosca or Thievery Corporation or Om Lounge 3, then definitely give this CD a try. Sven also has a song on the CD "Future Sounds of Jazz 3" called Tabla Rasa, which is excellent. I would recommend that CD if you get this one and like it."
ÜBER-Chillout Tunes
bikaa-m | Southaan Kaalifornia | 07/05/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you have yet to discover Chill-out Soundz and Lounge, or you're a seasoned connoisseur of these exquisitely smooth harmonies, Sven van Hees' GEMINI should be top shelf, bar none!! 'Breakfast with Abductees' and 'Tsunami (Inside My Soul)' are incredible.
Sit back, listen, and keep on flyin' and dreamin' to and of distant shores ..."
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1
