Mushroom Jazz, Vol. 4
ASIN: B00006RHRI
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
For the fourth release in his acclaimed Mushroom Jazz series, DJ Mark Farina lets the urban dance and hip-hop roll while staying true to the downtempo, rainy-day-jazz mode that inspired the series title. Farina has left a trail of devoted jazz-house fans in his wake, from Chicago to San Francisco. Some might not follow the path he walks on this record, which even more than Jazz 3 finds inspiration in the DJ flava of rappers like Mr. Lif and Fat Jon. Others will appreciate the easy, smooth vibe of the record, not to mention Farina's always dependable taste in selections and contrasts. Benny Blanko's "Listen" empties into the funky din of Bernal Boogie's "Phone Tap" with nary a ripple, while tracks from Scienz of Life and People Under the Stairs hypnotize and pleasantly disorient the listener with a sweaty serenity. By cradling rougher styles in smooth trip textures, Farina successfully expands his palette and keeps the series crispy fresh. --Matthew Cooke
From URB Magazine
Well, the wait is over. Mark Farina, America's favorite mid-tempo DJ, has finally compiled a new edition of his highly vaunted Mushroom Jazz series. Sure, he's been squarely on the radar, dropping smooth house mixes and working the club circuit like a man possessed. But there is something kind of special about the Mushroom Jazz moniker.
Born at a Chicago club night of the same name, "Mushroom Jazz" was a name Farina gave his then-new sound, a cool but compelling combination of indie hip-hop instrumentals, icy European dance-floor jazz and other floor-oriented electronic beats too mellow for big-room bombast. It's a blend that's easy to love, as it works well in many of our favorite environments: cruising in the ride, smoking at backyard barbeques, the bedroom.
On this fourth mix, it's obvious that Farina's been doing his homework in the track selection department. For beats and rhymes, he brings URB favorites Pete Rock, Scienz of Life, People Under the Stairs and Next 100 head Fat Jon all to the party.
Altogether, Mushroom Jazz 4 delivers the same head-nodding timelessness of the first three, with an added emphasis on the hip-hop tip. We're certainly not complaining.
Permanent Ink
Mushroom Jazz, Vol. 4,Mark Farina,Om Records,Club/Dance,Electronic,Funky Breaks,Pop,Progressive House,V/a Compilations
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