OM Lounge, Vol. 4

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The fourth installment in the Om label's highly regarded lounge series is probably worth getting solely for the opening track, a remix of Beanfield's "The Season" (which improves on one of the best tracks from their 1999 release, Human Patterns). A conga-fueled rhythmic river flows inexorably over a syncopated but loose jazzy bottom end with a circle of electric piano chords supported by cello floating above. The vocals alternate between Blake-like pastoral-mystic spoken segments and an understatedly beautiful melody that mysteriously distributes the lyrical syllables at uneven intervals across the bar lines. The previous volumes in the series have included such well-known purveyors of the jazz-inflected downtempo sound as Thievery Corporation, Fila Brazillia, and Jazzanova, as well as Om's own Soulstice, J Boogie, People Under the Stairs and King Kooba, all of whom reappear on this edition. King Kooba's "Fooling Myself" is another standout--a flute- and samba-propelled track with a trip-hop vocal line that injects new life into a well-explored style. Rithma's "Opium Dreams" also perfectly balances engaging listening with a relaxed feel; a cool electric piano-flavored groove with a brief melodic vocal sample is juxtaposed with strange electronic shimmers and a loop of a stoned giggle. Relative newcomers Iguassu and Caspian deserve a nod as well. -Bob Bannister

Tracks:

The Season (Swag Remix) - Beanfield
Shelter - Shelter Av.
The Reason - Soulstice
Morning Star - Alpha Children
Sutro Heights - Jaywalkers
Rosada Flor - J Boogie's Dubtronic Science
Opium Dreams - Rithma
Fooling Myself (Easy Access Orchestra Mix) - King Kooba
Sunroof - People Under The Stairs
Quiet Nights In Rio - Andy Caldwell
Cleaning Agents - Iguassu
Otono Perpetuo - Caspian
Flamenco Fusion - Jazmin & Face

Amazon.com

The fourth installment in the Om label's highly regarded lounge series is probably worth getting solely for the opening track, a remix of Beanfield's "The Season" (which improves on one of the best tracks from their 1999 release, Human Patterns). A conga-fueled rhythmic river flows inexorably over a syncopated but loose jazzy bottom end with a circle of electric piano chords supported by cello floating above. The vocals alternate between Blake-like pastoral-mystic spoken segments and an understatedly beautiful melody that mysteriously distributes the lyrical syllables at uneven intervals across the bar lines. The previous volumes in the series have included such well-known purveyors of the jazz-inflected downtempo sound as Thievery Corporation, Fila Brazillia, and Jazzanova, as well as Om's own Soulstice, J Boogie, People Under the Stairs and King Kooba, all of whom reappear on this edition. King Kooba's "Fooling Myself" is another standout--a flute- and samba-propelled track with a trip-hop vocal line that injects new life into a well-explored style. Rithma's "Opium Dreams" also perfectly balances engaging listening with a relaxed feel; a cool electric piano-flavored groove with a brief melodic vocal sample is juxtaposed with strange electronic shimmers and a loop of a stoned giggle. Relative newcomers Iguassu and Caspian deserve a nod as well. -Bob Bannister

Customer Reviews:

Yes, Yes, Yes!.......2007-04-24

Wheter you are at home on a rainy sunday, having dinner with friends, snuggling up by a fireplace or making love, this cd or for that fact, any of cds in the Om Lounge series is a perfect choice. Rarely has a production company been consistently on the mark with the music. There is something for everyone here. The music weaves it's way gracefully thru a plethora musical styles. An aural experience indeed. Highly recommended.

Lotsa Filler and a couple of Far above average Cuts.......2006-02-09

To be fair, you have to keep the time frame of this cd into perspective. It was a 2000 release after all and the lounge/chill genre has changed. But Om Records was one in a number of other labels capitalizing on the downtempo buzz of the time, along with labels like Stereo Deluxe that also promoted their own artists (like Mo Horizon's, Moodorama, etc.) The Om Lounge series spans 9 volumes now with volume 10 coming out in the end of February, 2006. Other artists you'll see from Om are Mark Farina, King Kooba and a slew of others.

Volume 4 wasn't that bad of a release but it had a fair share of filler in it. It starts out nicely with Swag's mix of Beanfield's cross culture hit, ""The Season". Good tune with a pretty good young vibe to it. I also sorta dug Jaywalker's "Sutro Heights", with a gentle bossa to it. Rithma's "Opium Dreams" is a trip in itself too. But the standouts on this album were King Kooba's "Fooling Myself", remixed by the Easy Access Orchestra. It has a real snap to it, heavy percussion and it's just pure lounge in all it's cliche's. The other song that stood out to me was PUTS (People Under the Stairs) "Sunroof". It follows in the same mold, true lounge, easy going and pretty sweet samples - a shame the cut's near impossible to find. But to me these were really the only songs that make me go back and check the album out.

I still recommend this one as the price isn't back-breaking and there's a few good songs on it, two of which are extremely difficult to find on other non-import releases. But some of the songs that didn't grab me, like the soul-less rendition of the Bossa Nova classic "Quiet Nights", had me cringe. I didn't get into the later volumes of the Om Lounge series either, basically stopping at 6 since the others I picked up afterwards I just didn't enjoy. But I'll always give Om it's due as they reached to find soem unique artists and provide tunes that otherwise would've flown under the radar completely.

Excellent..........2005-10-19

The kinda vibe that reminds me why I started liking this electronic lounge stuff in the first place.

You Wanna Trip?.......2002-05-21

You may not want to drive while listening to this CD. It has some tunes that will abduct your mind from reality. Caspian's Otoño Perpetuo would do it for some. Iguassu's Cleaning Agents would do it for many. But, Jay Walkers' Sutro Heights will just blow everybody's mind. Be extremely careful with that one! I think this Volume 4 is the best of the Om Lounge series. This CD is an essential for downtempo/acid jazz lovers.

Check out my review for OM Lounge, Vol. 5.......2002-01-24

Essentially this is the same album as OM Lounge, Vol. 5. A very good soundtrack for kicking around your house one night or if you're having a relatively upscale gathering at your house (pate, no thanks, I'm trying to cut down).

I wouldn't recommend it for intense listening. It won't really stand up to the investigation. Good for aural candy though.

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