As the world spins ever-faster and lives become increasingly complex, the role of music becomes more important in order for one to find sweet and soulful solace. A simple Sunday morning with the papers and the appropriate music has never been more essential. Staying in may be the new going out – the series suits both lifestyle choices perfectly.
The range of eight titles is refreshingly gimmick-free; they are packed full of soothing, beautiful music – nothing more, nothing less. The collections take chill-out back to its source, before the term and the music became over-used and ubiquitous. The music, painstakingly selected and lovingly-compiled best suits the moods of the respective collection's title – Soul Grooves, Dance Grooves, Acoustic Songs and Chill Lounge. But these aren't collections where you know one or two tracks and the rest drifts by with a cursory blip or bleep – these are all first-rate artists – talents such as Amy Winehouse, Barry White, Kool and the Gang, Erykah Badu appear to provide the soul; Mylo, Junior Jack, Mika and Röyksopp bring their dancing shoes; Ryan Adams, Rufus Wainwright Jack Johnson and Feist provide soothing acoustic grooves while downtempo heavyweights Kruder and Dorfmeister, Thievery Corporation, Tosca, Nightmares On Wax and Bent make the Chill Lounge the only place to be.
