Album Review: Various - Big Chill - 15x15
- Written by Kenny McMurtrie
What better way to celebrate 15 years of Big Chill compilations than by having 15 artists select a track each? Here's the rundown:-
Kicking off disc one are The Cinematic Orchestra ft. Fontella Bass with 'All That You Give', chosen by Alice Russell. A classy and lush introduction to the proceedings and no doubt. Second along comes the lightly dubby 'I'm Not Bad' by Alucidnation, picked by Pete Lawrence. A bit of a wet blanket of a track unfortunately. Guy Morley's choice of 'Night Train' by Dub Syndicate does nothing to raise the tone of the disc and at this stage things are looking decidedly ropey. Track four leads off with some atmospheric pan pipe and into some Sade-esque noodling about 'Riverbed Road' from Animat but with this selection The Forum have at least gone some way to getting things back on an even keel.
'Dragonfly Across An Ancient Sky' by Helios isn't so much chillout as a folky, clanky cure for insomnia. A poor choice from Jon Hopkins. Thankfully up next comes Hextatic's choice of Orbital's 'The Girl With The Sun In Her Head' - a winner everytime. Keeping things well on track Tom Middleton selects 'Nobody's Home' by the continually reliable Ulrich Schnauss. Closing out the disc, in the fashion it started, comes 4 Hero with 'Morning Child', expertly chosen by Norman Jay.So far so good.
Disc two begins with Fila Brazilia and 'Soft Music Under The Stars', a solid 10 minutes of sitar infused musical relaxation suggested by Mixmaster Morris. Way back in time for track two as Tunng choose Orbital's mix of The Orb's 'A Huge Ever Growing Pulsating Brain That Rules From The Centre Of The Ultraworld (Loving U)'. Maybe rather lively to be properly thought of as chillout music but no need to split hairs. Thirdly we get RSL's 'Wesley Music', a lively and decidedly funky number highlighted by that musical tea jenny Mr. Scruff. Gilles Peterson gets a look in at number four with his choice of Seun Kuti & Africa 80 and their 'Many Things'. If you liked the elder Kuti offspring's father's work then you'll enjoy this. A musical discovery for me next in the shape of Bleach Cake performing 'Get The Blessing'. Punk-Funk a la Terry Edwards & The Scapegoats this is John Hegley's contribution. A bit of comedic narcissism next as John Shuttleworth selects his own 'Serial Cereal Eater'. Time it right though and you could be in need of breakfast by the time this cheery ditty comes on and has you conga-ing to the kitchen. Proper chillout returns next in the guise of Funki Porcini's 'Long Road', chosen by the venerable Coldcut. And that's it. Or is it
No!, for there is in fact a sixteenth tune, a Tom Middleton exclusive called 'Return To Atlantis'. Very cinematic it is too - thing Stingray meets The Loveboat. A fine end to what is definitely the better disc of a, largely, better than average release.