Freestyle review: Mr Gone

Looking at the future... part two
Mr Gone
1xCD Internal Bass

Feedback from Mr.Gone himself:
Thanks for the review of my album. One of more honest reviews I've read so far. I'd like to tell you why I re-recorded the album though. It's really just for the US market, so I had to get rid of a lot of samples! Also, the first album didn't do that well so to most people all the tracks are new. Anyway, thanks again

First of all, we must admit that we have a little bit a problem with the concept of the album. MrGone brings us part two of "Looking at the future", which is after all in first place a revamped version of "Looking at the future" which appeared first in 1997. Wasn't it good the first time then is the question that immediately arises. Well, that's a difficult question for sure, that is maybe answered in following way : "I like part two a lot more than part one"
Ok, what is part two all about. First of all, it features a few new tracks : "Fusao", "Fresh Out the box", "Just listen to the record" and "The Duke" Here, "Fusua" clearly is the fresher one, with wicked keyboards on a jazzgroove while "Just listen to the record" has that real nice deep midtempo paced bass wrapped up in spacey synths and guitar riffs. Ok, then to the reworked versions. Sure, there is another version of "Les cinq notes magiques" and yes the whispering female vocal is there again, but does it matter ? For us, the track has been pressed out like a lemon and
doesn't have much more to offer. On the other side, the new "Equation:Boogie" features a deeper and groovier bassline that will let your feet tap for sure. The Mosquito Coast 2000 hasn't undergone that much of a change. A little warmer and a more complex sound and little more accent on jazzy piano interludes. It compares a little to the hype of 2000 versions in software released though. Yes, "La pomme d'Adam" is back too. Here some atmospheric moogy flutes are added and that is welcome. Finally, both "That's an earthquake" and "I love jazz" are thrown in. Both again that little warmer and spacier than the original version.
So, all in all, if you do not have the first Mr Gone CD, "Looking at the future in the rear view mirror", "Looking at the future part two" will be a welcome addition to your
acid jazz collection. If you already have it, unless you're a real freak wanting the new tracks and the nicely reworked versions, this new album is not really a breakthrough.

ez
jan/2000