[.ca] ESL Soundtrack, Vol. 2: Jet Society

From Amazon.com:
Falling loosely under the rubric of the '90s lounge/exotica craze--specifically the revival of interest in bossa nova, samba, and Brazilian-inflected jazz-funk styles--this CD culls a consistently interesting set of tracks from a widespread network of musicians and record labels. Although some of the artists actually hail from Brazil, others are spreading the good word from France, Italy, and even Norway. Portugal's Nortesul Records starts the collection with a delicately beautiful song from singer Teresa, and the perfect balance of solid groove and chanteuse vocals hits a peak with the Tom y Joyce track "Vai Minha Tristeza", one of several tracks from performers associated with France's Yellow Productions. Italy's Nicola Conte's "Bossa per Due" combines organ, guitar, and wordless singing with a little sitar and synthesizer, swooping into a breezy four minutes. Also from Italy, representing the Irma Records stable, the Cordara Orchestra presents the CD's title track, a gently melancholy instrumental that has early '70s sit-com written all over it--you can just see Jack Klugman or Mary Tyler Moore having a pensive walk in the park after some minor and not irreversible emotional defeat. Overall, the mix of rhythmic complexity, emotional cool, and a slightly kitschy sensibility will satisfy aficionados and may pleasantly surprise newcomers. --Bob Bannister

A worthwhile revivalist attempt:
Beckoned by the hip sophisticates and alluring travel photos on the album's cover, I picked up "Jet Society" from Amazon, along with twenty other discs. With so many albums to listen to, however, the CD was stored neatly in my shelf and never given a second thought. One day I found myself craving a little bossa-funk, so I decided to give "Jet Society" another chance. I'm certainly glad I did. I've discovered some new artists and added a few more favorite songs to my playlist. Teresa's "Lisboa A Noite" is my favorite track. Check out Pink Martini if you dig this sound. "Hi-Fi Trumpet" has a great latin feel, with a few flute, trumpet & vocal bits to spice things. "Seasons" offers up some retro-modern funk. Organs, jazzy flutes & funky guitars jam as a breathy female voice says "hey, wake up." Unfortunately, by the time you've made a dent in the tracklist, you may do just the opposite. Tracks 7-9 don't quite jive with the others and are worth skipping. In fact, the rest of the album drags until you near the tail end of the disc, at which point the sophisticated jazz-funk of "Cinnamon & Clove II" will perk you up and leave you hungry for more. Sorry to say, there's only one track left for you after "Cinnamon & Clove II," and that's the title track. In addition to the dull bits near the end, bossa fans may be annoyed to find Nicola Conte's "Bossa Per Due" on this album. Featured on 18 different discs, and a few television commercials, this song (though enjoyable on the first few listens) has grown repetetive and I'm downright sick of hearing it on every compilation I own. All flaws aside, "Jet Society" is a great compilation, and an essential for those unfamiliar with the budding lounge revival. As the cover booklet states, "these songs suggest a world that can only exist in our imaginations." Pick up a copy of "Jet Society" and escape to your own unique world.

nearly put me to sleep:
granted, i first heard this cd at work after a long week-end but although there is a definite high quality to the tracks, this is not a cd i would get stuck on a desert island with!... things start off very slow and slowly (slowly) pick up until it gets to the (i love this one) track by tom y joyce and then it seems to hit james bond theme land. too bad...the world needs good lounge music but i think that lounge music has to do more than just set a passive mood: it should get you going to the next level, set you in motion, set up the rest of the evening/night...

Swanky, smooth, and samba-riffic!:
This cd has it all, a perfect soundtrack to poolside cocktails, a cool-down drive, or after dinner fun with a select few. A somewhat skewed and slightly blunted approach to Carnivale that will leave you wanting more, and ESL (the label this is on) has it for you. Dont' miss out!

Probably the lowest rate:
I am not agree with the most people that makes review of this CD. Infact my real rate it's between the 2 and 3, probably the lowest!I am sorry but i cannnot understand why in this work there are 3 songs like the last 2 (Balanco and Cordara Orchestra) and like the third one (Hi Fi trumpet).It's a pity because the rest it's quite a good job. In any case the project (a jet society around the world) was probably too ambicius. The resault it's more a travel in the night clubs where you can find old rich men with young nice girls. This is the atmosphera that i feel on this Cd. In any case there are something good ( for exemple the first song Lisboa a note) and with good mix (in particular between 5 to 9 tracks).At the end i suggest not to buy it.....but if you buy more than 100 cd in a year...well you can also buy it!

BUY THIS ALBUM:
Wow - looking back, this is a terrific album. The artists involved at the time, some were just starting to grow in popularity but this album is exceptional. I bought this well over a year ago, and from there have spidered out and picked up cd's by Mo Horizon's (Germany), Reminiscence Quartet (France), Boyz From Brazil and Nicola Conte. I highly recommend this. You won't be disappointed - and it's one of those albums that you can put in and just play and relax. It starts out slow and smooth with a jazzy Portuguese track, then moves on to get a bit upbeat, then dark loungish with Foto Viva before the nightlife begins with Onde Anda O Meu Amor. The CD starts to "Wind Down" with a smooth remix of Vai Minha Tristeza and ends out with the classic "Jet Society" by Cordoba Orchestra. It's a nice adventure and a terrific release. I wish ESL would make another like this.

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