Om: Chilled v.2
Om Records (2/19/08)
Downtempo / Electronic / Jazz
Funky, jazzy house is probably the best thing for which Om Records is most known, but upscale clubkids need to chill out, too, and maybe they want to hear a mix devoid indie rock or intelligent hip-hop. I love it all, but chic hipsters can be a harder bunch to please. Geared towards a more mature demographic who like music that’s more than just catchy or groovy, Om: Chilled v.2 is perfect as an afterhours mix or just something smooth with which to kick back and unwind after another long day at your crappy job. Well, for me, at least.
The set opens up with the ethereal, almost angelic track, “Love Comes First”, by the Techno Squirrels, which floats around for just under four minutes before segueing into the groove (and bass)-heavy instrumental “Really?” by Bluemind, which gets things started off on a deliciously smooth tone. A remix of Hawke’s “Garden of Your Mind” by Bluetech is a good example of the tone of the entire mix, with a deep sensual beat. I would be remiss to not mention that this would be good CD to put on if you’re trying to get that special someone in the mood.
An ambient remix of “Inner Peace” by Aaron Sontag & Nica Brooke is actually so ambient that it would make Alex Paterson yawn. I’m not sure that that’s the degree of chill that’s intended here, unless one were looking for a good insomnia cure. Luckily the mix picks back up with Midnight Music Co’s “Black Swan”, a nice atmospheric track with some good reverb effects.
Edison Gem and Samantha James nice combine pop with downtempo electronic on their respective tracks, Grand Synthe exudes a strong jazz presence, like a downtempo St. Germain. “El Cortez” by Home & Garden also explores jazz territory, though it throws in a nice Afro-Cuban element for good measure. Quite possibly the strongest track on the entire set is the stunning instrumental “The Blissed Place” by producer Hideo Kobayashi, which has a much more classic jazz feel to it, though it does include hints of trip-hop waaay back there in the background. With its tactful use of jazz guitar, it’s also probably the most mature sounding track on the mix and could easily be a smooth jazz crossover.
King Kooba closes out the set with “Big Ole”, an awesome six-minute tune that stays true to the chill-out mantra from start to finish, with equal hints of Henry Mancini and DJ Cam. Om: Chilled v.2 really resonates well from track to track, while still changing things up enough in order to keep it interesting for start to finish. Save for the one overly ambient track (which should have been omitted), this mix is easily one of the best chill-out mixes to be released in years.
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