Someone justy shot this album to hell, so I'm here to ressurrected as best I can.
Dr. NRG's review.
First off, I began purchasing some of the cds again due to Eurogrooves debut. I also had to get this one cuz of the 4 Dall Ora entries. There are quite a lot of people who don't go nuts for Aishu Eurobeat, therefore I wasn't too surprised at it's initial response. I love Aishu and it was a nice theme for Valentin'es day. I think it's a very strong entry onto SEB archives. The cd pretty much only hits Rock bottom towards the start and then shoots up to amazing standards with a small surprise at the end.
1.
Non-stop mix. I don't care much for these and this is no exception. Give me the actual vinyls and I can do better blind folded and with one hand tied behind my back. All it needs is some obnovxious dee jay introducing each song as it strats to play . like those old FM Disco LP commercials back in the 70 and 80's. I could actually see the parapara dancers doing a small dance clip of each song ala Solid Gold dancers style. Once again wasted space. The only upside is that it ends with the pheonomenal "All I Want Is You"
0/10
2.
Stephy Martini- Fever Of Love(Dima)
A cd starting off with DIMA for a change. I wouldn't call it the masterpiece that Save A Prayer was ,but damn close. On the level for female Eurobeat this is just the style I concider great. Lets start of with the intro, because that is what pulls the listener into wanting to hear the rest of the song. DIma has always been a master at adding in those guitar licks in the intros. Sampeling of Stephy's vocals also gives me a good Hi Energy music vibe. The overall melody is no where near the style of a fast Eurobeat song. It's actually very fitting to the Love & Sweets theme. Even the way Stephy sings is more of a relaxed form, but somehow when Dima is behind the keys; the soundworlds provide a very powerful setting for any song. Therefore this song while not fast ,is very powerful. Probly what many would call Epic style. and while sounding epic, DIMA also has a knack for setting his instruments at just the right settings where the listener can actually distinguish each and every sound being used. In that last chorus instead of vocals , he opts for a cool almost progressive rock sounding guitar , thus giving the listener even more pleasure while listening to the track. At least to me it feels this way.
9+/10
3.
Leslie Parrish- My King Is You(DELTA)
Piano intros work well in Eurobeat songs, because it give the producer a chance to introduce every soundworld, thus building up to that ever so anticipated riff. This song continues the high level of the cd and is very well slotted next to the Dima entry. The intro sounds like a lot of previous Clara Moroni songs. Anyway Anymore and yes; Big Bad & Hot Love also comes to mind. Infact the line between Leslie and Cherry songs is becoming thinner and thinner each TIME. I remember the Leslie name had a different style, Like Save Me, Killing My Love, but I like this new style all the same. After that incredible intro, we get a Daniel style energy filled riff. The melody throughout the verses is somewhat on a mellow side and kinda forgetful, but the bridge gives it full throttle and by the TIME the chorus roills around, the listener is pretty much hooked. Its' that chorus that fuses tyodays Eurobeat with the older Italo style esp. the "I found a melody I can sing" line. The break comes around pretty quick. It's not the most powerful or memorable part of this song, but it does an excellent job on showcasing that third bridge ala acapella style. By the TIME the song is comming to a close Matteo gives us a wonderful instrumental part that perfectly leads to the somewaht epic outro. very nicely done.
9/10
4.
Domino- Call Me(go Go's)
The good part of this song is actually the intro. I guess Leo River is providing the Go Go lines? those added guitar licks were actually getting reved up for a more powerful style song, but once this is over and those airy style synths begin to play, I'm shot right back into kiddie style Eurobeat. Now why in Hades would AVEX provide me with the lyrics to this song if I don't even know what the hell I'm singing? If I dodn'0t have that lyrics sheet in front of me, I swear I would hear words like Booty Booty and Bubble Gum...and it wouldn't surprise me at all. There is another really cool part to this song and that is the line "What is your name, What is your number" I'm pretty sure that Leo or Freddy. Anyway the rest is not my style at all and when I think of great Domino songs, I can only recal her duets with Dave and maybe the EuroBoy and Domino Dancing vinyls. I'm also flabergasted as to why AVEX would insert this song inbetween two totally different style songs. shees they didn't even have the decency to add in that call intro as the break. This one just blows and in the tradition going on here at the forums; this is my my EPIC FAIL
4/10(4 points for the male vocal parts)
5.
Mike West- All I Want Is You(TIME Spa)
My first thought was, is this an Ode to TIME or a Slap in the face to Dall Ora. I mean after all that fuzz over nothing, TIME spa is right back on SEB. Either way 4 Sergio Dall Ora songs on any cd =win. This is actually a song whos clip didn't excite me all that much at first, but after hearing the song in it's entirety, my thoughts have taken a 360 degree turn. let's start of with an epic style intro, which at first listen also reminded me of another Elena sung song. Then we get Gambogi vocoder style intros that he is so well known for add to that ,the always present introductory chorus and "presto" and once again a perfect intro provided by Mr. Dall Ora. Mike West has always been one to provide speedy and almost frantic soudning riffs in his songs. Fast Love immediatly came to mind as the riff began to play. The very last notes in that riff are played in repeated fasion and that I think really introduces the melody about to be played for the verses. This song is a perfect example of how the bridge takes down the general rythm of the song a few notches before shooting right back up to epic proportions just as the chorus kicks in. Now comes my favourite part. That would have to be the third chorus where all the music is dropped except the pecussion . That is giving Mike perfect backround power. It really reminded me of the intro to Triumph's "Baby Baby Run" which was also sung by Gambogi basck in the Luca Pernicci days. Finally comes the break. Again I'm seriously going crazy trying to remeber from what Elena song that part is from, but nonetheless it's perfectly befitting the songs overall "Love & Sweets" atmosphere. On a final liner note; the lyrics are really great! The title and especially the chorus are pertfect for any guy to profess to his lady. You got everything from love, power, soul and music. Even the significance of the day is mentioned. Overall one of Gambogi's best love themed songs.
10/10
6.
Ai Yamamotto- Happy Valentine(SCP)
Avex decides to insert both SCP entries back to back and concidering the style of the both songs, is not a bad decision. I seriously only remeberded Ai's "Pink In The Pink"; wich had a heavy Van T.K. Disco style. I actually ended up liking that song quite a bit. Then going back a few more cds , I rediscoverd "Wonderful" and realized where this song was comming from. So this young lady gets to sing one of the big Valentine themed songs on this cd. At first listen , I wasn't too pulled in, but after some heavy airplay, I came to appreciate all the wonderful keyboard backrounds throughout the melody and it really reminded me of Jay Lehr's style. Mystic Love and Imagine happen to be 2 of my favourit SCP entries in recent years. So this song having those musical aspects rubs me that right way.
8/10
7.
Pamsy & Jay Lehr- Give It All Up To Me(SCP)
Where is the love for this Romantic diddy? Most of you you dissed Go2's Purple Emotion, also disliked this number. The production value is extra ordinary and I actually perfer Pamsy singing this style over here Transy style. As for the duets aspect: It's ever present in the fasion that should be presented. Jay gets the first line. Pamsy ,the second, and they both come full circle on the bridge and chorus. I was listening to Saifam's "Hold Me Tonight" and realized these two songs are not too far apart in style. There is no Speedy nor powerful riff, but it's still has that epic feel. It's mainly Jay's vocals that give the song it's epic feel, because Pamsy; while decent enuff cannot provide the same powerful vocal range as Jay. Mellisa White might have been a better choice to compliment Jay's vocal stylings, but non the less still a very appealing track on SCP's behalf.
9+/10
08.
Pistol Girl- Si La Do(HRG Attack)
...and it's now TIME for some poweful HRG Attack music. Not at all Romantic , but nasty enuff for after all the candelight dinner and hot oil rubs. Pizza & sex sounds like a fitting Italian theme and she even needs some pushing inside.LOL! The song isn't gonna change anything in the Eurobeat world, but on this cd stands out among the rest as a wild and crazy enrty. The vocals are not hyped up at all and Si La Do means what? Who cares? What really pulled me in about the song was it's mega powwerful and very Hi NRG like intro. Any tru HRG Attack fan is gonna recognize that style from the famouse Jee Bee number "Hi Energy" , esp. the way the riff is played. It's almost note for note from the aforementioned classic. HRg Attack songs are getting shorter and shorter and that is really my only beef with thier songs nowadays. I dislike that so much that I quickly take them through the Dr. NRG remix machine and add in other proper break. I would probly love to have this one on the Speedy themed cd as well, but for now it sits nicely among the other entries and has a very cool outro
9/10
09.
Norma Sheffield- For Your Love(ABeatC)
Another song that is getting a lot of slack is this Norma entry. This one is actually another of the nice surprises that I myself didn't have too much expectations for. probobly the nicest surprise was that acapella intro. Doo Doo Doo sounded nice and those Violins just added to the song's wonderful atmosphere. You can actually see how she helped out in the composing of the song. Another point to question is her accent. What's wrong with it? I think it adds to charm to the songs that she sings and the variations in her words make her vocals all the more interesting. I agree her style hasn't changed much since her start at AbeatC, but why change what works fro her. It's also very obvious that she is beloved in the Eurobeat world. A nice catchy chorus rounds out this charming little number from one of Eurobeat's pioneers.
9/10
10.
Rick Castle- Dolcevita Tonight(HRG Attack)
Rick is certainly getting his share of songs on SEB nowadys. His style is basically of a good strong level. He doesn't venture too much out of his zone and keeps safe in the style he trusts. At the same TIME , this holds him back from really releasing the certified mega chart buster. Here is another entry that plays it safe. About the only variation here would be the intro borrowed from The Ryan Paris classic. It's actually that melody that I wish the song would have played around with a bit more. It certainly gave it a more uptempo feel and probly would have provided a nice dose of HRG Attack charm that I'm more used to. The riff was probly the only other part that had an real impact on me, but the melody in the verses and esp in the bridge really contradicted the whole Dolce Vita theme. What I did like was that the hyped female vocals were recorded a lot further in the backround, thus letting Rick shine his vocals. The problem was that he kinda sounded uninspired singing on this track. The fact that they dicided to paste the intro one more TIME befor the end further added to my confusion. Well, At least Si La Do was Hot!
7-/10
11.
Hely- Forever Sad(Eurogrooves)
We are up to the highlight of the cd. Three Dall Ora entries side by side. The excitement burns me up. Helna has morphed into Hely, but it's still unmistakenably Elena behind the name. Here is another song that starts with a phone call and the sound of pouring rain. I guess she trying to call her lover or somthing. Can't really tell too much by the lyrical content, but it's still nice a addition to what is already a very nice executed intro. All is in perfect synch to the style of any Helana song. That unmistakable Opera feel is ever present in her vocals and the tension building bridge to the chorus allways gives me a dark maloncholic chill in only the way that Mr. Dall ora can provide. this type of song really fits the Romantic theme and wouldn't sound out of place put on repeat as you and your partner become lost in the passion of the night. The song itself has been done a hundred TIMES before, but each time with the variation of one or two soundworlds becomes riencarnated onto another body of music. IMOP this is really the type of song that will only appease the listener if they are tru diehard romantics at heart. and noone sings her aishu heart out like Elena.
10-/10
12.
Kasanova- I Remeber(TIME Spa)
and from one Eurobeat Diva we are introduced to the now righfully famous vocals stylings of Mr. Gombogi. And far as I can remeber Kasanova has never changed his style of music. Even his cover of "What Kinda Cure" carried his signature smooth romantic style vocals. I'm thinkinbg Kasanova has about 5 or more songs with the word Remeber in the title and everyTIME that very song give deep remmenisant feelings and memories. This is another Piano laced song from Kasanova with all the usual trimmings of an epic TIME stle intro. You will either love it from the start or hate it. You know where I stand. On this particular song the lyrics take another turn as they are far more emotional than the previous ones. I translate these into Spanish and the ladies think it's some long lost poem that I have discovered for the first TIME. basically if the lyrics don't melt the listener, then they will never really fully come to appreciate an Aishu style song. There is a small break where some female vocals take over and they kinda sound like Dahny and seeing that she did co-write the song I wouldn't be at all surprised.
10/10
13.
Angie Sweet- Valentine's Day(Eurogrooves)
We are to the gem of this cd. Folks the intro the intro the intro! This is where Eurogrooves new style shines. We get to hear Elena Ferretti speak. Somthing she rarely does. That alone is epic aishu. Right after we hear that piano beat that really uplifts the melody and again builds up to that triumphant line "Please baby kiss me, make me right" Now any Eurobeat fan will immediatly recognize that Lonely Night melody, which I found to be really ironic, since Valentine's Day is anything, but a Lonely Night. Once again we get Elena singing her Opera style heart out. The versus, bridge and chorus all come together nicely and while Forever Sad had a nice meloncholic style romantic song, here Dall Ora fuses all those melodies to showcases the power of Aishu Eurobeat. Every song has a part that shines for the listener and for me it's almost always that third couplet on a TIME song and the way the break rips in right after the last line on the chorus leaves me with my heart in my throat from the suspence of not knowing wich direction Dall ora will go from here. Right here he opts for a Elena usiing the vocoder effect than as the progressive piano beats begin they are almost cut off right before the last note. The part that follows is just the riff, but all of ths sudden like magic morphs into that last 3rd verse that showcases Elena whispering the bridge and that first part of the chorus is too mesmerizing to describe with words. The downside is that it lasts very little and fades into oblivion in the outro. Nonetheless it's still one of Elena's newest and most EPic entries to date.
10/10
14.
Virgenell- Fantasy(Sweet Remix)
I had no expectations fro this song after the Epic Fail that was Space Boy(Grand Mix), so I didn't even listen to it the first few TIMES, opting to replay trax 11-13 instead. In one of those replays I left the room and when I came back Fantasy was playing. I honestly thought that another of my older Eurobeat cds had begaun palying and just let it continue. I found myself trying to remeber the name of this song. Keep in mind, I thought SEB 194 had finished, so When I realized it was indeed the sweet remix of Fantasy, I decided to replay it. Again a very well fitting piano intro. Very Norma S. like. What I like is that on this cd Dave totally stayed away from those ugly ugly airy sounding synths. Infact only Go Go's entry drowned themselves with that atrocious sounding instrument. It was also a nice effect to keep the song's original vocals done by Gobbi? Add even more to the fact that I kinda prefer this version to the original, makes this a nice little surprise after all. The one part tythat really stood out and deserves mention is thopse dropped synths that turns into a small piano break. Hey I actually like an ABeatC break.LOL! by the TIMe the third verse rolls around I was convinced that this is indeed a good submission from AbeatC.
8/10.
Final words:
I really enjoyed this cd to epic proportions. Most will notice that I didn't give a single 10+, but it doesn't mean that I don't love that cd, it means that the songs with a 10 were missing that final umph to give it the +. The Angie Sweet song being the one that burst my bubble when I heard the uninspired fade out. Almost as if a winged angel was soaring in heaven and suddenly lost a wing. but still the level of the cd was super high on my grading level and the only song that I felt let me down horrorbly was Domino's. It's TIME to add some energy and power to those synths or just oversee that productions from here on. I'm gonna say it...I miss the Dave & Domino duets more than ever. DELTA and DIMA were great with just one entry and HRG Attck shook me out of the romantic zone, but in a good way. AbeatC also did very well with both Norma and the Virgenelle remix. and Jay & Pamsy just took me back to the Eurobeat 90's with a charming and inspiring track that keeps showing me the great composing side of SCP.
Top 3
Angie Sweet- Valentine's Day
Mike West- All I Want Is You
Kasanova- I Remeber
Bottom 3
Domino- Call me
Rick Castle- Doce Vitta
Ai Yamaotto- Happy Valentine
Honourable mention:
Pistol Girl- Si La Do
For taking me out of the mushy zone and providing the dirty sexy side of valentine's
I give the cd a nice deserving 9-
