Gui Boratto, Renaissance the mix collection- Review
Mar 21, 2010 Blogging Bee, What to listen to
[Rating:4.0/5]
I’ve had Gui’s album running since a couple of weeks now. I might have heard it a dozens of times under many conditions: At home, in the car and in the subway. 3 atmospheres, 3 different feelings and I couldn’t get my mind in writing a review. Now that I am trying to, I guess, the mix is, well incomplete.
It’s true that this album isn’t a 100% Gui production, yet his tracks and remixes ROCK solid. This guy never failed in delivering sexy beats to every piece of music he does and that since the first track I heard on Hernan Cattaneo’s Sequential album, “Arquipelago”.
Back to this mix collection; there’s an overall sexy feeling to it and a more intimate look into Gui’s taste as in, “what would he mix if it weren’t his productions”. I never saw Gui on a live act, so it was kind of new. Verdict : I found it to be interesting.
CD1 comes with a “Home” like mood, to be enjoyed laid back on a sunny afternoon. CD2 brings the beats and synths a bit closer with a more present vibe, yet the Club feeling was never crossed. So it’s more recommended for an after after party, laid back on a sunny afternoon 
There’s this threshold where you just give in, in the set that wasn’t, sadly, crossed. But that doesn’t mean that the album was dull, it was Déjà vu and unexpected for me. Ending the mix with Tricky’s low tempo track was genious and a total surprise. The transition was perfectly handled and it totally caught my attention on what was happening. So props to that.
Highlights of the album:
- “Mathew Jonson – When Love Feels Like Crying” : What a track, full of emotions and minor built drama. A musician’s heaven.
- Gui Boratto – Azurra (It’s Not The Same Mix) : A classic now
- Gui Boratto – The Glam : I love Gui’s distorted sound. His lead synths are just exquisite, the vibe is close to his Chromophobia album
Overall, it’s a good mix to listen to. I know it will be my companion on my next trip. The beats are fresh and Gui delivers good remixes and productions as always.
You can buy Gui’s album on iTunes and in your local record store.
Tags: Gui Boratto, Renaissance
M.A.N.D.Y – Renaissance, the mix collection – Album Review
Mar 7, 2010 Blogging Bee, What to listen to
(2009)
[Rating:4.5/5]
If you’re searching for groovy techy and uplifing house music, M.A.N.D.Y is your answer.
I hesitated before grabbing this album since I had previous disappointing experiences with M.A.N.D.Y’s live sets. Not that I didn’t like them, but some of their tracks were too cheesy for my ears. House and Electro isn’t much of my cup of tea.
And to add to the suspense, the record store (Fnac at La Défense) didn’t have a the album available for pre-listening. So much to ask myself whether it was wise to spend 21 euros on an album I might not like at all. Then I remembered some articles and interviews about the duo (M.A.N.D.Y is a duo if you didn’t know it). Their big plus is synths and I love synths. Plus having them on Renaissance means that there was major remixing and über nice interesting sounds to listen to. And how can you say no to a cover like this ? So I grabbed the record confidently and went to the cashier.
The album is very uplifting in its ensemble. It doesn’t fit into one genre and I’d be underestimating the work of M.A.N.D.Y if I’d tried to fit it in a category. There’s no track like the other and yet the marriage of all these sounds is coherent. This is what I’d call a great artistic work beginning from the tracklist. You’ll find deep tracks, dub, jazzy, tech house, progressive and Vocals Vocals Vocals too.
Don’t be surprised to find rock acoustic flings here and there, I would have been too bored if they weren’t here. That’s what I was looking for in the end, “acoustic” parts translated by piano solos and hammond pads to state a few.
The album is a masterpiece and commenting on every track wouldn’t be a proper review. In fact, you have to see it as a whole album to listen to and embrace. It would perfectly fit for on a plane/train trip or as an after-afterparty ambiance. It soothes the soul and keeps you grooving.
Go grab a copy and enjoy the beats
Tags: Album Review, M.A.N.D.Y, Renaissance
