Search - Various Artists :: Bargrooves: Al Fresco

This CD started an interesting collection...

Curtis H. Kastner | CA | 07/14/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I own every Bargrooves CD made (including all from the UK, now totaling over 20 discs), and I can thank 'al fresco' for launching my collection November 2003...'al fresco' was the first Bargrooves release in the U.S., distributed by Moonshine - since taken over by Kinkysweet (who also does the Afterdark & Frequent Flyer series), and 'takes place' in London. Each CD in the Special Places series focuses on a different city. Espace Prive is Paris, Frosted is San Francisco, and Terrazza is Milan.



Anyways, back to my introduction to Bargrooves - I stumbled across 'al fresco' in the listening station at Borders in Carlsbad, CA. I was sold within the first 30 seconds of "Changes", the first track from CD #1. Groovy, upbeat, jazzy and sophisticated.



I've since played this CD for guests numerous times in my car and house, and the reaction to this and every other Bargrooves CD has been the same: "WHAT is this and WHERE did you find it?"



'al fresco' has crisp, driving percussion and is the most upbeat of the 4 CD's in the series "Special Places" (includes Espace Prive, Frosted & Terrazza). CD #1, mixed by resident DJ Ben Sowton, is more upbeat and perfect for the peak hour of your gathering at home, while CD #2, mixed by guest DJ Justin Baillard, is definitely designed for a much mellower crowd.



Overall as a series, the Bargrooves vibe has the sophistication of a gin martini with bleu cheese stuffed olives, as opposed to the silkiness of a smooth cabernet (Naked Music); the playfulness of a margarita (Hed Kandi's Beach House); or the sweetness of a riesling (Hed Kandi's Stereo Sushi). As a person who owns every CD in those series as well, I can honestly say that I don't prefer one over the other - it all just depends upon what mood I'm in. You definitely can't lose by purchasing Bargrooves 'al fresco' or any of the others in the series."

Excellent sophisticated deep house mix!

Andrew Atreides | Toronto | 08/01/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This 2 CD set is the best sophisticated deep house I have ever heard. The first CD starts off with some almost disco sounding grooves and combines them with jazz elements right from the start. As the disc progresses, the jazz elements get less and less and the flavor gravitates more towards club deep house. The second CD starts off with some more progressive sounding deep house. The vocals in the first track set the mood for any night with your girl. I'm a resident DJ at a club in Toronto, and I often don't even mix a lot of individual tracks anymore. I had started playing the Ministry of Sound ibiza chillout sessions and some Cafe Del Mar, but now I prefer to play some Bargrooves. Especially "Al Fresco". It's much more upbeat than "Espace Prive" was. This is a top-notch compilation of the best sophisticated deep house I have ever heard. When I saw the CD on the shelf at Borders, Groove Armada and Tony Hewitt were the only names I recognized. But the Cafe Del Mar website gave Bargrooves excellent props and I decided to buy whatever I saw first on the shelf. I plan to buy Frosted and Terrazza next. You can't seem to go wrong with Bargrooves. Whether you want to relax or if you want to dance, this is the stuff for you!"

Amazing background music for your cocktail parties!

James Mann | Washington, DC | 04/26/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"CD 1 is best, but CD 2 won't leave you disappointed.An absolute great purchase."