Mind Elevation

 

 

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Nightmares on Wax mingles chillout and funk in "Mind Elevation" the fourth official album by this one-man electronic band. As expected, it's blissed and tripped out, with plenty of inventive little flourishes to keep things interesting. The only problem is that it seems to be working too hard to please.

It opens with the terminally mellow "Mind's Eye," a smoothly sweet instrumental that might make you want to make daisy chains and smoke weed. Yep, it really is that chilled-out, even as chillout electronica goes. It's followed by a string of tripped-out, funk-edged songs, which are as sunny and meandering as a summer day.

Things take a sharp turn on "Date With Destiny," where the melody is reined into a more typical pop song, as Chyne B sings about how "time's on your side." She appears on a couple of other songs, the hip-hop "Environment" and the bassline-heavy "Know My Name." She sounds great in the first song, but after awhile her voice grows grating, and the "un-chill" music is alienating.

Fortunately, in the cuts between these songs, Nightmares on Wax (aka George Evelyn) sticks to what it does best: liquid, sunshiny electronic-funk. In these, Evelyn sounds right in his element, whether blending R&B beats with ambient sounds in "Humble," or the chillout techno of "Bleu My Mind." Basically, whenever the music and not the voice is the focus, things go well.

Nightmares on Wax first debuted as a duo, and then shrank to a one-man band, as it incorporated jazz, hip-hop and trip-hop into its sound. And "Mind Elevation" pretty much gives the people what they want and expect: Funky downtempo. This particular one goes a bit more on the side of funk and R&B, while still keeping a foot in the ethereal chillout.

The flaw of "Mind Elevation"? Trying to do too much. It strives to include a stronger dose of soul-funk, while adding in dub, downtempo, stoner electronica, R&B, and a handful of other influences. As a result, it feels like "Mind Elevation" lacks a central "sound," and is trying to cover all the bases and make everyone satisfied. Taken on a song-by-song basis, it fortunately manages to still be pretty strong.

Despite that lack of internal cohesion., the scattered "Mind Elevation" is still an enchanting mixture of beautiful downtempo and funk-R&B beats. A must-listen for fans of inventive chillout.

I love Nightmares on Wax... always some amazing stuff. Only problem is this CD has some really good stuff and some OK stuff... the begining of the CD seems weak and too mellow... it's only until you get halfway through when tracks like 70's 80's get's things flowing. Worth a buy to have in your chill collection but don't expect 100% out of this album... suprising since their other albums are pretty much at 100%.

Mind Elevation is my first taste of NOW, and it was definitely enough to make me want all their stuff. It's a great chill out album, though it has a little more R&B sound on some tracks than i'd prefer, but still that's only 2 or 3 outta 20. Easily worth the 18 bucks.

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5.0 out of 5 stars PLEASE LISTEN MORE THAN ONCE IF YOU'RE A REAL FAN!!!
okay, so YES! the first single "KNOW MY NAME" is arguably the worst song on the album....but, reviewers come on, did you really give this album a chance at all? Read more

Published on Jan 4 2003 by squishy little john travolta

5.0 out of 5 stars the "Know My Name" video
I saw the video for "Know My Name" on a beta release of the monthly DVD magazine-to-be "Remote". Absolutely mind blowing. Read more

Published on Jan 3 2003 by American Extractors

1.0 out of 5 stars weak, unrefined effort at music
Where did this CD come from? I'm not certain which musician, let alone, which producer would let something this unfinished come off the line. Read more

Published on Dec 30 2002

2.0 out of 5 stars THE SOUND OF SELLING OUT
What a stunning disappointment Mind Elevation is as a follow-up to Nightmares On Wax's classic 1999 trip-hop masterpiece Carboot Soul. Read more

Published on Oct 1 2002 by S. Warren

4.0 out of 5 stars a mixed bag
I am gonna be honest, I am a big fan of NoW and was very excited to hear that they were releasing a new cd. I was one of those people that buy the cd the first day. Read more

Published on Sep 30 2002 by Mike

5.0 out of 5 stars buddabow
i haven't heard the whole album yet but what i heard is really really good . nightmares on wax have done well . Read more

Published on Sep 13 2002 by Jimmy J Jim Jim

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