Search - Various Artists :: Carte Blanche 3

Mellowed-Out Grooves Courtesy of Naked Music.

The Groove | Boston, MA | 03/09/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Those who are familiar with Naked Music's "Nude Dimension" series will agree that the "Carte Blanche" compilations make up an entirely different beast. I was already familiar with other releases from the Naked label, but for some reason, I resisted getting this CD. Big mistake. Offering mellow beats and delectable grooves for after hours, the third volume turns out to be an excellent collection that never tires. For me, the CD's high point is the groovilicious "Inside," which is set to a funky bassline and on-point female vocals. The track is guaranteed to make anyone within earshot bob their heads to the beat in approval. Femonemon's "Romeo Avenue" is a percussion-heavy number that gives off a jazzy feel, while Stateless give a retro 70/80's groove in the form of "Fall Into You." Those who have had enough of the same-old chillout compilations can't really go wrong with this one. While it falls a bit short of the magic of Naked Music's "Midnight Snack," it's still good enough to earn its five stars."

Blissful Melodies...

stephen norfleet | philadelphia,pa | 05/02/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I remember searching for a downtempo CD just before departing for vacation to Antigua in the British West Indies in October/2002 and coming across Naked Music's Carte Blanche Volume 3 and wondering what it sounded like. I imagined it to be a nice accompaniment to relaxing on the beach under the hot subtropical sun while tanning and sipping a cool, delicious rum punch. Not knowing any of the selected tunes, I was curious and decided to purchase it.



Boy, am I ever thankful I did.



Each time I listen, I am cast backward in time to a magical place full of friendly people, breathtaking views of the ocean alongside beautiful white-sand beaches, lush tropical landscape and a laidback atmosphere rich in comfort.



Ah, the memories.



Most of the tracks included here - with few exceptions - exude a warm, seductive sound which has become a familiar benchmark synonymous with of every Naked Music release. The CD itself kicks off with 3 blissful instrumentals with Blu Mar Ten's ambient, 2-step number "Trauma" gloriously setting the tone before giving way to Fenomenon's rhodes-soaked nudgings of "Romero Avenue". The gentle strings of Bum Bum's "Light" quickly follows before the disc heads off into more vocal territory with the heartfelt croonings of "Fall Into You" by Stateless and Onda's "Deeper Love" being of particular merit. From there things get deep and heavy with Projections spaced-out cut "Backbone" saddling up nicely to a lovely remix of P'taah's "Hold You Close". Central Living's "Inside" remixed by Metro Area gives the mix an interesting retro twist with its eighties ode to the original. Gaelle's sugar-sweet voice in "Falling" captivates with her soothing delivery after a couple of slightly mediocre dubby cuts seek to take the mix into a different direction. Dave Warrins "ManChild" features a beautiful flute perfect for relaxing just about anywhere before segueing into Weekender's stellar "Thinking About You" with the angelic Azeem on lead vocals. Quant's "Stimulus" adds a perfect exclamation with a helpful offering of filtered vocal samples balanced neatly against a backdrop of broken percussion.



Overall, this CD comes highly-recommended if you enjoy After Hours-style melodies and smooth transitioning between songs and need something to ease the mind a bit while embarking on the usual ritual of household chores. Or, if you're like me, lazing under the sun on a beautiful tropical island...Stephen"

Naked out on a limb, who knows where they'll go next?

Henri Edward Dongieux | 12/02/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Carte Blanche line has always been Naked's more open-ended and experimental outlet, and volume 3 of the series is no exception to this trend. Here, Naked ventures, even more so than before, well beyond the boundaries of the house and downtempo genres for which they are known and into sounds and concepts that are novel and quite a good bit more sophisticated in many cases. That in itself is inevitably going to put some listeners ill-at-ease - but it shouldn't give them an excuse to bash something just because the sonics are frosty fresh.The bottom line for me, as a lover of MUSIC first and foremost, is that the tracks on Carte Blanche 3 are of exceptional quality and diversity. In terms of time signatures, rhythms, syncopations, programming, and effects, there is some really remarkable stuff here. The Streetlife Originals tune is almost baroque in its boppy complexity and builds on the group's already incredible musicianship; the P'taah track is wistful and full of unexpected tones and and emotions, showing that Chris Brann is and will always be the next level; and the Quant stimulator exudes a brand of Scandinavian future-disco glamcore that will put a smile on any carnivore's face. Bottom line, Carte Blanche 3 is exceptional music - full of soul, intelligence, and innovation. The risks pay off in a more mature sound that's just as slammin as ever. It shows us how far things have come in the past few years - new technologies, styles, and labels like Naked that have the courage and vision to put it out there. Take CB3 for a listen - "the rhythm may seem strange, or cause your thinking to be rearranged" - but if you can't find something that moves you in a new way, there's always the bargain vinyl aisle at Tower. I hear DJ Sneak is still doing the occasional remix."