Search - Various Artists :: Nu Cool, Vol. 3

Absurdly good

Leon M. Maroney | Kobe, Japan | 05/18/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Heard this recently in a music store in DC and was surprised (and somewhat chagrined) to find that there's an entire series of these excellent releases by Hed Kandi.Surprised because it's all so very good. We're talking some deliriously funky, catchy and memorable house music here.Chagrined because all of them are pricey and my credit limit is at the breaking point because of music like this. Well, I'm gonna go and start putting my pennies away for this one. :-)"

Oh ma god!

Leon M. Maroney | 08/04/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is truly da bomb. This is the kinda music that turns a really lame party into a hugh success. Once you put this in rotation your booty is sure to be shakin till the sun comes up. If you like smooth singin black divas set to delicious house beats, this is for you. Cunnie Williams "Saturday" is worth the price of this cd alone."

One of Hed Kandi's Grittier Compilations.

The Groove | Boston, MA | 08/08/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Before the label grew "mainstream" and established its international profile, Hed Kandi released gritty compilations that took bolder chances. Oh sure, "Disco Kandi" and "Beach House" are fine, but "Nu Cool" was a different beast of a series that had a distinctly soulful edge. On its third volume, we get two unmixed discs of dance grooves compiled by Mark Doyle. The first disc, which is house, has funky nuggets like Masters at Work's "To Be In Love" (featuring the underrated India), Incognito's excellent "Nights Over Egypt" (which is also mixed by MAW), and Francois K's remix of "Sangue De Beiona." The second disc also has some house, but the set is overall dominated by mid-tempo funk cuts like Gwen McRae's "Funk it Up," Sylk 130's "The Reason," and Arthur Miles' retro-flavored "Helping Hand." But not everything clicks. Aretha Franklin's "Respect" is one song you can't mess with (unless your name is Adeva), and on this disc, we get a butchered remix that sets the classic single to a generic hip hop beat. Eww. Other than that, "Nu Cool" is a reminder of the edge Hed Kandi used to have. Too bad this series is now discontinued because it's one of their best."