hated's Full Review: Mushroom Jazz Vol. 4 by Mark Farina
DJ Mark Farina's mixing is like a drug, only without the letdown after the high and for a much cheaper price.
His most recent release, "Mushroom Jazz 4," is a delicate blend of smooth and chill, funk and rap, instrumentals and vocal tracks. Drawing from jazz, hip hop and techno sounds, the result of his 70 minute set is an ear to ear smile and guaranteed mood enhancement.
Farina has a seamless way of transitioning between the compiled tracks. Some DJs get flack for "not being real musicians." Anyone can gather up an hour of music and make a compilation CD, but few can roll the selected tracks together to make it seem like one cut. Try to find where one song ends and the next begins on "Mushroom Jazz 4." It's not because all the tracks sound the same — they don't — it's just a testament to Farina's mixing ability.
Unlike other chill out albums, the pace of most track vary. From medium-paced cuts like "Keep Your Head Up" by Laurnea to the faster, hip-hop song "Suite For Beaver Pt. 1" by Puts, the up and down tempo of the album is a perfect balance.
The two previously-mentioned tracks are accompanied by actual vocals over the whole song. But most of the songs on the album are focused more on the beat and instrumental accompaniment, rather than lyrics. Repetitive use of vocal samples and sound clips are found, but they aren't repetitive in a negative way. Where some DJs will mix in accapellas or sounds that the song could do without, each lyric and sound found on "Mushroom Jazz 4" adds to this highly -addictive album.
There's a lot for the ears to pay attention to on the album. Farina's choice of add-ins makes for great ear candy. Yet with all the sounds happening over the course of the album, "Mushroom Jazz 4" really has a simple and clean feel to it.
"Truth in Position," Wiggle and Giggle" and are great examples of simple basslines enhanced by use of a wide variety of sound bytes and instruments, including easy taps on piano keys and whistles.
The only negative thing about "Mushroom Jazz 4" is a slightly sore neck and foot I have after listening to it, because neither stop moving for the duration of the album. If you're looking for a good chill-out album with a kick, pick this up: it reallly is the perfect drug.
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