Various Artists
"Vintage Chill: Volume 4. Winter" CD
Kriztal
Records
Genres: chillout, electronica, lounge
Kriztal
15982 NW 48th Avenue
Miami FL 33014
Feb 2 - 8 2004 |
Winter is the fourth (and presumably final) installment in
chillout label Kriztal Records' Vintage Chill series, a
selection of compilations geared towards wine lovers. Like its
predecessors, number four offers up a pleasant blend of electronic
music, brimming in smooth basslines and simple yet effective
melodies. But this time, the focus is on chilly tunes, those
that embody the snowy wonderland that is winter. And maybe it's the freezing atmosphere outside that's doing the talking, but I
think this album has hit the nail right on the head. I can
literally feel the cool air emanating from my speakers.
Literally. LITERALLY! Okay, not literally. The trick to creating a winter-like atmosphere is to use crisp,
snappy beats that are warm but still have some bite. This
is a common trend throughout Volume 4, with most of the artists
adhering to the rule. There's also some serious exploitation of
the listener's desire to believe that these songs are
chilly. A track like Zion Lockwood's "Jazzy
June" is just as warm as it is cold, and seems somewhat bizarrely
titled for a winter compilation. But still, given the cover and
the listener's sense of expectation (not to mention a few glasses of
wine), it somehow feels chilly, and that's a pretty impressive
feat.
Overall, this is another jazzy chillout release from Kriztal
Records, and it will certainly serve its purpose. Though it's
somewhat less melodic than some of the label's other compilations,
it's still effectively atmospheric. Slip this into your stereo,
recline on your sofa, and sip some of your finest wine. Nice.
83%
Matt Shimmer
[Vitals: 14 tracks, distributed by the
label, released 2003] |
