November 2000

So Latingly!

	Om Lounge 4 Various Artists Om Records 2000
	Since Then Ian Pooley V2 Records 2000

First of all, let me begin by saying that I am reviewing two albums at once because I am lazy. Now that I've said that, let's get our groove on.

Several weeks ago Grandpa alerted me to the existence of Om Lounge 4. The Om Lounge series is quite popular here at Evil Robots. Unfortunately funds are tight here at Evil Robots due to our recent restructuring and acquisition of new facilities in Washingtron and Baltimore. However, I realized that getting our hands on OM Lounge 4 was a priority and made a quick adjustment to our cash flow projections and that was that.

Om Lounge 4 is by far the best of the bunch. The Om Lounge series is a premium collection of mid-tempo electro-boosted grooves put out by the highly respectable Om Records in San Francisco. This recent installment took cues from the previous three editions and went almost completely global. The cover boasts of global rhythms and doesn't disappoint the ear.

Most noticeable on Om Lounge 4 is the heavy props paid out to the Latin sounds, particularly the sonic perfection that is Bossa Nova. Some tracks have subtle Brazilian influences while others are unabashedly the Bossa Nova of The Future. Many of these tracks are actually covers of old Bossa Nova standards- the difference here being that they sound as if they've been filtered through a time machine. Somebody over at Om Records must have a Flux Capacitor.

Now on to Since Then by Ian Pooley. This is an album to be reckoned with. Ian Pooley is obviously not fooling around. This album is overt Bossa Nova worship. The end result is quite a service. To the ear and to the feet.

While Since Then would technically be classified as "dance" or "techno", or whatever, the sound is more universal than that. Ian Pooley is a DJ and remix artist, but this is not your standard DJ mix. All the tracks on this album are original, albeit heavy sampling is present. And oh boy, is it some choice sampling. If you listen carefully you'll hear tasty bits from the likes of Brazilian masters Joao & Astrud Gilberto, Joyce to Jazz masters like Roy Ayers, Cal Tjader, and Herbie Handcock. Also present are samples from Isaac Hayes, Marvin Gaye, and Stereolab. Ian Pooley appears to be a genius, as none of these samples are overbearing or obnoxious (see Puffy Daddy for an example of obnoxious "sampling"). The sweetness is in the subtlety.

The basis of Since Then is found in the classic music of Brazil, but the feel is purely modern. The beats may have classic roots, but have obviously been amped up by a very fluent DJ.

Interestingly, the last track on this disc is a interview with a New Zealand radio disc jockey. He begins the interview by inquiring if Mr. Pooley is a genius and a member of Mensa. While the interview is rather obvious ass-kissing, it still is quite interesting hearing the voice and thoughts of the creator of this music.

Ian Pooley is, coincidentally, a veteran of the Om Lounge series. His "What's Your Number" appeared on Om Lounge 2.

While the sound of Bossa Nova is timeless, it never hurts to put a new twist on things. These two albums don't only proved the twist- they will force the listener to get up and shake their asses.