Search - Various Artists :: Bare Essentials: Volume Two [Limited Edition] [Bonus Cd] [Amazon.com Exclusive]

Enjoyable, not essential deep house ? but 4-star promo free

Richard Diaz | 03/16/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Bare Essentials Volume 2 follows up the initial 1999 release from Naked Music, home of delectable deep house and stylishly nude slip covers. With more artists in tow this time, BE2 offers a much broader mix of previously unreleased material and new tunes to tantalize, if a bit lacking in breakout hits.Surprisingly, the bigger names folks are familiar with (Blue Six, Miguel Migs) supply auto-pilot efforts that belies their talent, while soulful staple Lisa Shaw hits ("Visions") and misses ("Let It Ride"). The standouts are Aquanote's "Nowhere," a mellowed Heatwave Mix pushing the guitar backed Zoe Ellis line "I can tell that our love is going nowhere without you" to somber near-classic status. Likewise, Arvid featuring Ernestos livens with jazz drums for a beautifully realized song, and Kaskade/Quant's festive "Brighter Day," breathy vocals by Josyln, add pep and beach house atmosphere. A stripped down Petappusher (Miguel Migs) offers a serene closer, with flute, on "Reply on Me." Some Minor misses pop up, primarily Central Living's simplistic lyrics and uneasy (as in, what where they thinking) bass to the batch on "Inside." A shame too, that just one instrumental made the cut (Weekender). Regardless, the efforts here are impeccably produced; this crew knows their way around a studio. Bare Essentials 2 spins a bit too smooth to gain your attention; call it enjoyable then, just not essential. 3/5NOTE: Exclusive to Amazon.com is an eight track 45-minute bonus CD packaged in a cardboard sleeve. Dropping the mellow vibes for a welcome return to the dance floor, this mixed offering combines a few exclusives, material from other Naked comps, and older tracks given an umpteenth remix to spruce them up a bit. Far more than just a tossed-in freebie, this is a bopping lil' set in it's own right; Satin Soul adds sprightly keyboard with punchy drums on a welcome revisit to "Music & Wine," a tasty set-up to Kaskade/Quant's festive "Brighter Day," breathy vocals by Josyln. Add quality work from Gaelle via Bugs in the Attic, and energetic beats by Project 4 (a catchy gem that peaks the hour), for a disc that heartily upstages its companion. How's that for essential? 4/5"

Muzik Mann

Eddie M. Chavez | San Francisco Bay Area | 04/19/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was introduced to Nake Music, and Miguel Migs while visiting Virgin Records and couldn't stop feel good about the music that was playing. When I asked the clerk who's CD they were he showed me and I quickly bought it and the previous volume and have been hooked ever since. If you want to enjoy something silky smooth with a swirling sexy vibe on top of that this CD won't dissapoint you.Other music CD's similar to this that I would also recommend: The Best of Nake Music-Bare Essentials Vol 2, Miguel Migs-Colorful You, Blue Six-Beautiful Tomorrow, Miguel Migs-Nude Tempo, Nude Dimensions, Nude Dimensions Vol 3 and OM Records-The United Nations of Future Music Vol 1. If you like sexy, loungy-house music without too much electronica, this collection of music is for you. This CD and the others can best be described as an eclectic mix of deep-housey, soulful, sultry, ambient, laid back, seductive, sublime groove, with sexy down-tempo beats to to tickle your neurons."

REMIXING THE FAMILIAR!!!

Darrell L. Lee | Jackson, MS | 12/17/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Bare Essential Volume 2, with its dazzling cover artwork, is yet another installment in the Naked Music series that delivers minimal house-grooves, funk and 2 step with a whole lotta soul. This time, familiar grooves like those from Blue Six, Miguel Migs, Andy Caldwell, Aquanotes and Kascade are remixed along with some other rare material from artists on the label. If you're a fan of "Nude Dimensions", "Carte Blanche", "Lost on Arrival" or any of the aformentioned artists, then this CD is worth checkin' out! Very Nice!!!"