As the father of a 19-year-old girl in college (my half of winter tuition just went out a few days ago), a 16-year-old boy running in and out of the house (usually with a small harem of girls in tow), a sweet but VERY feisty 4-year-old girl who can't decide if she'd rather be 10 or 1 and behaves accordingly, and a 4-week-old boy who finally caught the cold everyone else in the family has struggled through and already knows he wants to be held, PERIOD; AND as a guy trying to make a living as a writer, and - how's this for incredible stupidity? - an Internet entrepreneur, I am in need of some serious chilling.
Fortunately, I picked up the outstanding Essential Chill Collection on Topaz Records for Christmas and have been icing my fevered brain ever since. And talk about value: seven, yes said seven, CDs in the box set for just $24.98, and unlike many other budget sets, this one comes with full documentation and production credits (other than the Chillhouse disc), links to websites, and a very high percentage of excellent downbeat, ambient, light drum and bass, light house, lounge, and other, generally European, gently pulsing delicacies.
I ask two questions when assessing the value of a large collection: 1) is there enough quality material to justify the price? In this case there are 92 total songs, of which I really like about 2/3, so at 27 cents each for all the songs, and 41 cents each for the very good songs, this is more than reasonable.
The other question I ask is, can I just put on any of the CDs and let them play without having to modify the order, eliminate songs, etc. - in other words, without having to utilize the flexibility that the digital revolution has enabled? Because let's face it, I'm way too lazy and it takes way too much time and effort for me to have to do any of that. If I can't just put the CD on and enjoy it as is, I just won't put it on. I have neither the time nor the inclination to rip songs to MP3 or other digital format, or even to have to skip a song by hitting "forward" on my CD player, most especially when I am in chill-music mode, which is the most passive listening mode of all.
Article comments
1 - Johno
Eric, considering the chaos that must reign in your home on a daily basis, I must urge you to-- if you haven't done so yet-- to get a copy of Bebel Gilberto's modern classic "Tanto Tiempo." Talk about chillout music, and groovy bossa nova too!
2 - Doug
I'm afraid that you have a little catching up to do. Try the following 4 CD's they will blow away any concepts you had that your chill music collection was doing the brain massaging that you require:
1) Radar:Nothing is Real
2) 1 Giant Leap
3) Zero 7 Simple Things
4) Later
Below is a partial list of my CD collection by genre.
http://66.93.82.161/OnlineMedia/cd.asp
Doug
3 - Eric Olsen
Doug, very interesting database. this is simply a review of a specific collection, however, no claim to be the most up to date or advanced or anything else.
4 - Jason
Riiiight. I can recommend a lot better CDs and collections than THIS collection. I was extremely dissapointed in both the collection and the fact that I blew $30 on it without listening to it first.
5 - Bob A. Booey
You're cooler than I thought, Olsen.
I don't particularly care for chill/downtempo dance music since I prefer my dance music somewhere above 130-135 BPM, but there are some good artists who make occasional chill records as well (Solar Stone being an example, or Roger Sanchez, Royskopp, or Faithless). I've really come to appreciate the greatness that was Underworld recently -- I'm sure even those of you who aren't hipsters remember their song "Born Slippy" from the airwaves or from Trainspotting.
$25 for 7 CDs is a great deal -- if there were something similar for trance or hard house, I'd be all over that.
That is all.
6 - Bob A. Booey
Check out the group Chicane -- you'd probably love their stuff. Not my taste in trance exactly, but they're probably the most famous chill-out artists, especially their song "Saltwater." Check out Solar Stone too -- they do a lot of chill-out remixes and productions.
It turns out there IS an Essential Trance Collection on Topaz Records -- I just got it used for $10. 7 CDs. Not bad.
That is all.
7 - Eric Olsen
thanks BAB, as far as range of musical interests, please recall my 20 years of live DJing, including dozens of clubs.
You can generally find a little bit older dance/electronic material packaged pretty cheaply, often on import - good used record stores usually have them or bargain places like Music For a Song (if it still exists) - a quick search shows that it does
8 - Amy
I know this post is super old! I actually stumbled across it while looking to RE buy the essential chill collection!! It is by far THE BEST collection i've ever purchased as far as overall good pricing and just ALOT of really great music!! Some of the songs here you would have to spend weeks searching for and downloading to even have a chance to find! Such as postal service, Pet shop boys etc... i mean the song selection!
Anyways so many years later my cd's have scattered from this collection and i find myself yearning for them!! Especially Electro chill and burn!! The best!!
I highly recommend this collection to anybody!! This time i'm putting it on my computer and uploading to my IPOD! :)
9 - Amy
In any case Mr. Eric Olsen i believe your review is right on the money and very accurate! The guy "Jason" that says he wasted his money on the collection probably didn't even really buy it! Because anyone who does and actually listens to it will fall in love!! In fact its great for romantic dreamy days... Or nice candlelit baths. Or just "chilling" out after a long day of work! I am not saying its the only good collection out there, but i am saying its top notch!!