VA - The Relaxing Album (2005)

When I first browsed the track listings for this album, it appeared that the record company had hastily put together a collection of laid back, chill-out style tracks without taking the slightest bit notice that the songs used on "The Relaxing Album" span not only 40 years, but many different musical genres too. In retrospect, I do believe the record company could've used better songs to make this CD really special as there surely can't be many Mr Acker Bilk fans who also enjoy listening to Moby. Be that as it may, there's no false pretences attached to this collection, and the record company couldn't have come up with a better title than, "The Relaxing Album" as that's this album's purpose.

There's too many great relaxing songs to highlight, but the ones I have found myself playing most are the hauntingly beautiful, "Harry's Game" by Clannad, another TV theme, "Falling" by Julee Cruise (used in "Twin Peaks"), "Slip Into Something More Comfortable" by Kinobe and, "Children" by Robert Miles. On the contrary, it is worth mentioning that when the majority of the tracks used on "The Relaxing Album" are taken from the 1990's and 2000's, some of the other songs collected from a distant musical past do seem a little dated and out of place (including contributions from Willie Nelson, Mr Acker Bilk and Henry Mancini). Those songs are undoubtedly relaxing, but painfully out of place with the special FX ridden offerings from the present.

Despite that, it's difficult to criticise "The Relaxing Album" simply because, for once (and take note those record execs who compile such collections as "The Best Album...Ever!" series), you're treated to musical offerings that complement the CD's title. I really enjoy listening to this album, and I hope there's a sequel in the making. Yet, I anticipate "volume 2" is less varied with it's selections.


Tracklisting:

Disc: 1

01. Kinobe – Slip Into Something More Comfortable
02. Groove Armada – At the River
03. Clannad - Harry's Game
04. Enigma - Sadness Part 1
05. Robert Miles – Children
06. William Orbit - Barber’s Adagio For Strings
07. Faithless - Drifting Away
08. Fatboy Slim (Feat. Macy Gray) - Demons
09. Rob Dougan – Clubbed To Death
10. Smoke City - Underwater Love
11. Primal Scream - Come Together
12. Leftfield - Melt
13. Bomb The Bass - Winter In July
14. Deep Dish With Everything But The Girl - The Future Of The Future
15. Roger Sanchez - Another Chance (Afterlife Mix)
16. DJ Sammy & Yanou (Feat. Do) - Heaven (Candlelight Mix)
17. Coldcut – Autumn Leaves
18. Henry Mancini – Lujon


Disc: 2

01. Fleetwood Mac – Albatross
02. Dido - Here With Me
03. Willie Nelson - Bring Me Sunshine
04. Chris Botti - When I Fall In Love
05. Natalie Imbruglia - Smoke
06. Eva Cassidy - True Colours
07. George Michael - Cowboys And Angels
08. Aqualung - Strange And Beautiful (I’ll Put A Spell On You)
09. Bernard Herrmann - Theme From Taxi Driver
10. Art Of Noise – Moments In Love
11. Amici Forever – Prayer in the Night
12. Delerium – Silence
13. Moby – Temptation
14. Julee Cruise – Falling
15. Jakatta – American Dream
16. Acker Bilk - Stranger on The Shore
17. London Symphony Orchestra – Air On A G String
18. The Vard Sisters - The Flower Duet



Download link:
http://rapidshare.de/files/12765161/VATRA2005.part1.rar
http://rapidshare.de/files/12761324/VATRA2005.part2.rar

Pass: elcangrejo

Greetings from Spain! ;-)