Disc 2 continues to tickle the libido with an ambient mix of the Pet Shop Boys' elegiac "Home and Dry" (how unreasonably sweet is Neil Tennant's lean nasality in the right setting, this is one of them), Roger Sanchez, Neon Heights' indispensible, Moby-like "16 Again," and the watery loveliness of the Bedtime Story mix of Language Lab's "Burning Disaster.
Also very fine is the Carol C drum and bass mix disc; and the Chill Vol. 1 disc is in some ways most listenable of all, being essentially all instrumental with highlights from Organica, James Christian, We Are One, Sonny Cheeba, Delta 76, and Om.
The only disc I am not particularly inclined toward is Chillhouse, simply because I am less inclined toward house in general, and especially when I seek the ministrations of chill.
I can easily recommend The Essential Chill Collection for neophytes looking to take the plunge into electronic chill music, or afficionados who want a variety of great stuff all in one place - it has helped me keep a positive outlook on paying college tuition bills AND changing diapers. Now that's a recommendation.
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!!