Search - Various Artists :: Café del Mar Vol. 15

An awesome collection!

Leonardo Rodriguez | 07/24/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Well, Cafe del Mar Vol. 15 has finally arrived, and boy, I'm still breathless. Vol. Quince is becoming or showing a trend in CDM, as which its heritage is now smothered in a cinch of flamenco. The trendy Collection this time features a gigantic volume of exclusives that perhaps other compilations can only dream of. It compiles 3 CD's, for a total of 43 tracks of exclusive content, new, and inspirational.



First, lets delve into what this compilation offers into this new age of chilled music. Like Vol. 13th, it begins its journey into the world of guitar strings and a melancholy rhythm called "Sun is Shinning", by Reunited. When the track finally ends, you'll be transported into a world of sunshine, bliss, and dreams. I closed my eyes, and that one track alone rescued me from my own darkness. The track alone made me a believer of what was to come, and lo and behold, I was already in heaven. Beautiful rhythms are to followed throughout, all in English this time on all three disks, and although I wished there was a couple of tracks in Spanish, I think CDM finally has nailed what I think is their best work to date. They have compiled a history and a long series into a classic work of perfection. If you think you heard a better compilation in the past, guess again, because CDM, Vol. 15 has just raised the bar. The closest compilation that I think can at least compete is Hed Kandi, with their Serve Chilled series, but their last effort, "Kandi Lounge" just doesn't hold a candle mainly 'cause it was a more of a throwback to chill, with many tracks offering a current but retro feel to soulful and orchestral sounds. It's something different, but lacks that worldly feel CDM is normally known for.



Hence, CDM, VOl. 15 succeeds with a shuffle of exclusive electronic grooves that are easy listening and go beyond the stripped down acoustic bliss. To appreciate their beauty, these tracks really need to be listened on a high end sound system. Here, every nuance will be captured, every note, every breath of the artists perception. The world of CDM is filled from elements of lounge, soulful jazz, Balearic electronica, and chilled Latin to form a cohesive production of smooth, trendy tracks. These tracks are of the highest quality, and when you reached track 6th, of CD 1, CDM will make a believer out of you once again in case you lost faith in the series. Soula & Angela, 'Night Wave in Ibiza" features sweeps and angelic voices sprinkled throughout to sweep you off your feet, and port you to a place strong with catchy synth lines and vocal hooks to last a life time. Its percussive elements are well contrived for a visit to a music that is forgiving at its most seductive. Vol. 15th in my most humble opinion has no competition. Its strength and beauty lies in the fact that it combines the best of its own series, including a touch of Cafe del Mar, Classics. On par, it's a touch of of Hed Kandy, Cafe del Mar, and at times, it feels like Hotel Costes from its early days.



It must be mentioned, however, VOl. 15th also fixes the monotony that plagued Vol. 14th which had a few too many instrumentals that sounded alike, and was too heavy-handed in its latin flavor, under-sizing what could have been an excellent compilation. Vol. 14th was strong, but was a step down from the stellar Vol. 13th, which was highly refined, and for its time, offered a compilation that was hard to beat when it debuted. Again, Vol. 15th follows its tradition, and returns making a big impact on the world of Ibiza. Bar none, Vol. Quince surpasses Vol. 13th, by its sheer weight, originality, its warmth and quality of sound, and consistency. It is the best compilation of the year, featuring sophisticated vocals, strong lyrics, and well-produced electronica for the children of the ages. Worth every penny, and one of the few compilations that demands your listening. And like the last track on CD1, by Gary B, 'I will be waiting' for its next installment. Cheers!!! Vol. Quince is here to stay. Just awesome!!!"

Cheesy elevator music

Jimmy | Boston, MA USA | 09/23/2008

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I own every single CDM album and have found at least one or more tracks in each of them to love. However, CDM Volume 15 sounded like nothing more than cheesy elevator music, each and every track. No single track shines or displays anything at all distinctive.



However, what really takes the cake in this compilation is the worst one of them all: Sax 4 Sex. This track is so cheesy as to be better suited to serve as soundtrack to a pornography film."

Music For All Ears

Alenhey | 10/30/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The reviewers that are giving this album a hard time are harkening back to a generic chill genre that really was not distinctive from new age music of Windham Hill. Those days where Moby and the Thievery Corporation were the highlights of the sets. I applaud CDM for making one of the only outlets for exclusive quality Balearic and Iberian Electronic Music anywhere.



I admit I am new to Cafe Del Mar, but just looking at the tracklists of older volumes, I know that the series has improved dramatically. You can now only get CDM tracks on their compilations as they are exclusive. In the past, the tracks were not exclusive. 25th set onwards, are truly original CDM compilations. It was a landmark release and has only been getting better since. I have Vol. 13-15 as well as the 25th three disc set.



There are only few tracks in this compilation that make me scratch my head. There are awesome female and male vocals on this compilation as well as strong instrumental tracks. It is like if the 25th set was more polished and upbeat for that matter. Gary B has produced some more great tracks even though the vocals utilize autotune. Nera actually sings a stomachable song, "Life Is A Wonder". Unlike the ultra kitch "Del Mar" on CDM 13, the mixing on the song is much better. The rest of the female vocalists are top notch in making you feel emotion, even if a few are not so talented. So, if one of the worst artists to ever be featured on CDM actually improves infinitely on this compilation, that is really saying something. If that is not a test of quality on this compilation, I do not know what is.



The discs 1, 2, and 3 seem to get more chill, respectively. It is like a cool down from a hot night on the beach. Disc 1 is the most upbeat, Disc 2 is midtempo, and Disc 3 is downbeat. That is not to say that lower bpm is worse as "Nightwave In Ibiza", one of the most interesting tracks in the comp, has a broken beat structure.



There is much variety as always in CDM compilations and they are not trying to please any one group of listeners. There is something for everyone and the things that speak to your personal ear, do so poignantly. I personally like Disc 1 the most, but there are tracks on the other discs that speak to me strongly as well."