Black Martini
"File under: Chill Out" advises the note above the bar code, but since we're dealing with the Water Music label, that's already a given. This hour-plus sampler -- sponsored by Blavod (black vodka, hence the album's title) -- collects a baker's dozen of predominantly instrumental tracks with a loungy, jazzy, Latin feel. Atmospherics mix with samba beats and techno/trip-hop ensues. The pieces -- most of these can't really be called songs -- are predominantly the work of individuals rather than bands, even though they are credited to anonymous outfits that go by the colorfully exotic names of The Tao of Groove, Hazy Room, Pink Martini, and Neon Funk, among others. St. Germain's opening track, "Soul Salsa Soul" sets the mood with its smooth Tropicalia beat and Tiki Bar groove. From there on they're variations on that theme with Julee Cruise's rather bizarre "You're Staring at Me" sporting offbeat lyrics and a cinematic scope but emerging as a disc highlight. Some tracks rise over the stigma of background music -- most don't -- but that doesn't mean this can't be an effective soundtrack for your own tropical-themed bash. Relaxing and sexy, yet bubbly and seldom dull, Black Martini is an effective sampler, even if the listener is unlikely to find more music from the contributing artists, many of whom have not released albums, at least under these names. The enhanced CD portion is little more than a slick advertisement for the label and the vodka. ~ Hal Horowitz, Rovi