Mushroom Jazz, Vol. 2

Amazon.com
San Francisco-based Mark Farina cut his DJ teeth in the Chicago house-music scene. In Mushroom Jazz, Vol. 2 his house roots flavor a seamless mix of laidback acid-jazz tracks. Farina doesn't mix the songs by the conventional tricks of the trade, such as slowing the bpm of one song to match the next or scratching the ending of a song to insert another. Instead he uses bits and pieces from each track--a repetitive vocal sample here, a recurring drum pattern there--interspersing them throughout the CD to create a contiguous motif. The result is a DJ record on which the tracks can be identified only by looking at the track number on the CD player, yet simultaneously it has the feel of a complete album. Track 8 is a bit of a diversion: except for the heavily processed vocals, its verse, chorus, verse composition makes for a Mariah Carey-type pop song. In all, a groovy low-ride. --Beth Bessmer

Tracks:

Then Came You - Euphonic
Sandworms - Andy Caldwell Vs. Darkhorse
Piano Grand - Tony D.
That Time Of Day (Again) - Jaywalkers
Poppy's Song - Big Muff
Made In The Shade - Deadbeats
Cutee - Spacehopper
Make Me Happy (DJ Spinna Original Mix) - Cooly's Hot Box
If I Fall - Naked Music NYC
How Sweet It Is - Mr. Scruff
Liquid 'Instrumental' - L-Fudge
Sunday Night - DJ Migs
Lyrics And Vibes - Smoke No Bones
Un Pepe Dans La Dentelle - Pepe Bradock
Unlisted Track - Various

Amazon.com

San Francisco-based Mark Farina cut his DJ teeth in the Chicago house-music scene. In Mushroom Jazz, Vol. 2 his house roots flavor a seamless mix of laidback acid-jazz tracks. Farina doesn't mix the songs by the conventional tricks of the trade, such as slowing the bpm of one song to match the next or scratching the ending of a song to insert another. Instead he uses bits and pieces from each track--a repetitive vocal sample here, a recurring drum pattern there--interspersing them throughout the CD to create a contiguous motif. The result is a DJ record on which the tracks can be identified only by looking at the track number on the CD player, yet simultaneously it has the feel of a complete album. Track 8 is a bit of a diversion: except for the heavily processed vocals, its verse, chorus, verse composition makes for a Mariah Carey-type pop song. In all, a groovy low-ride. --Beth Bessmer

Customer Reviews:

Acid jazz chill'n.......2007-05-03

After nearly ten years I have been giving this disc some more air on my I-Pod to find it still soothing and fresh. The beatz are slow, funky, mid-tempo grooves, perfect for after hours, like after work or a night out, or anytime to change the tempo and slow life down a bit. One of the better mixes in the mushroon series, the music is a seemless groove that sounds like one continous song; over an hours worth of cool music to chill to. It might best be described as acid jazz that features soul and jazz elements to a slow fuinky dance beat. Layers and layers of music stirred together for a tasty musical stew where one groove doesn't dominate but rather they blend perfectly. At times the mixed voices echo in and out and create a nice psychedelic-soul-jazz effect. The tempo changes ever so slowly, never dramatically where you would say, hey, where in the heck did that come from or that doesn't fit. Very cool vibes for chill'n on a summer day any time, any day, any year. Recommended for chill heads who like their down-tempo in a acid jazz groove.

smooth, sexy, and relaxing.......2006-05-13

After listening to the first Mushroom Jazz, getting the 2nd volume in the series was a no brainer. I would say the mixing is a lot better in this set, but doesn't beat the overall quality of the first one. What is fascinating about Farina is his mixes do not sound dated and they are timeless in my opinion. A lot of the mainstream electronic music sounds ghetto when you listen to it years later, but Farina's style is fresh and there isn't the slightest hint of aging to his musical compositions. Also don't make the mistake of importing this set to your computer in separate tracks like I did. It totally ruined the continuity of the mix and the pauses in between tracks can be a serious mood killer. It took me almost a year to warm up to Farina's work and once it clicked there was no turning back.

A real pride for the true Downtempo Headz..........2006-05-06

Farina introduced me to deep house music 5 years ago with San Francisco Sessions. In 2002 I discovered the Mushroom jazz series, and all I can say is that Mushroom Jazz is my best experience of all time in music...
Farina is the only man able to create this kind of atmosphere, very deep, very smart and urban, sometimes strange, sometimes "innocent". The man is the only able to select downtempo/deep jazzy house/hiphop tracks with so much taste...the only man who has made me dream so many times with a mixed comilation. People... I'm not joking...Mushroom Jazz is a real phenomena, an absolute masterpiece, words are not enough to describe dis. There is absolutely nothin' to dislike in this downtempo concept...even the artworks are marvellous...
Well, Mushroom Jazz Vol. 2 is, in my opinion, the most perfect MJ. The track selection is mind-blowing, all the tracks connect themselves with a brilliant facility thanks to the intelligent concept of Mark which consists of puttin' slightly and discreetly some accapellas which appear sometimes on another part of the mix. Excellent! It gives to the mix a higher level. The tracks? more downtempo than MJ5 or even MJ4.
Tracks are very jazzy like "Sandworms", "Then Came U", they can be a bit darker with "Made In The shade" (bewitchin' track!), or more "friendly" and "innocent" like "How sweet it is", they can include acoustic guitars with L-Fudge, or they can plunge us into a strange atmosphere with "Sunday Night" for example.
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To sum up, Mushroom Jazz 2 is an essential mix. A very strong cohesion between the tracks, a perfect selection (of urban and jazzy tracks), a genious mix, one of the best concept of all time for the deephouse and downtempo/hiphop generation.

Thank you Mark Farina.

Great CD for kicking back and chilling..........2006-02-17

This is the first and only album from Farina's Mushroom Jazz volumes that I own, and I must say, I am impressed. This is an album that can be played from start to finish. Being in college, this CD has been great for small parties and/or get-togethers that puts everyone into a "chilled, relaxed mood". I believe there was just one song I did not exactly favor on the album.=, but overall, it is worth the buy.

The album with something for everyone.......2004-04-11

Mark Farina is at his best in the mushroom jazz series. Not once have a played this album and not had someone ask me what it was. It's awesome!! Funky, jazzy, with a suprise bit of breaks keep you grooving. Great music to chill. Creates a fun vibe for lounging.

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