This album is as close to perfection as downtempo/chillout album can be. It is beautiful, melodic, and the sounds interact with each other sooo well, that it became my everyday listen album. I just cannot resist listening again and again to such tracks as crystal-clear "Igmatik", foot-tapping "Circles" and warm "That Much Closer". The rest compositions sound pretty good as well. It is indeed wonderful album with positive summer vibes and even some experimental-sounding tracks do not destroy the overall impression. Shame on Russell Davies he didn't go this way further. His two following albums almost completely lost the composition, the mood and the melodies that make this album unique. I highly recommend hunting for Japanese version of the album, not only because it has bonus track "Opaque", but also the sound quality is better, compared to European version. Make yourself a pleasure, get this album.

This album is a wonderful summer dub album, there are not many albums that really remind me of summer but this is definately one of them. I love playing this on a hot summers day. It reminds me of beer, bikinis, sunshine and holidays :) The 1st track, Ismatik , has a great atmosphere about it. Lovely colourful sounds are used over a sweet beat. Barely distinguishable vocal sample give the feeling of the next table over in the beer garden. The 2nd track, Shared Light , is a short one but the sounds are absolutely amazing. Such melody, skillfully arranged around a thin bassline, chilled summer beats and bird sounds. Track 3, Nightwalker, has what sounds to be a movie sample but I'll be damned if I know what movie. Another nice summer melody surrounding a man not giving in to peer pressure to take drugs. Some harder synths make me feel like a motorcycle movie for some reason. The next one, Circles , starts with some of the nicest open beat sounds which continue under the 4/4 for the rest of the track. Long slow synths lead into a soft flute (?) melody briefly. It goes then builds up again to the flute melody but while it's stiff soft seems to have more impact now. Next up is Magenta, It starts quite tech-y with very unnatural computer like sounds which continue throughout. A lot of strange sounds are used in this track and it has a very random feel. Track 6, A Whole New Way of Looking at the Day, however feels much more natural and the flute in this track really float nicely around the guitar cords, beats and half muttered conversation samples. A really nice feel good summer track, just too short. After that we get Indu with some nice simple basslines and beats. It's a little minimal and at times it doesn't really seem to be going anywhere even though it is quite varied throughout. No real atmosphere in the 1st half I'm afraid but it does get a little better towards the end. However it's the weakest on the album for me. Now comes California Sunshine, which is a belter. It starts off with acoustic guitar and vocals by Ranagit Sengupta. The melody played on the strings compliments the electronic melody running parallel very well. Another track that has that pure summer feel. Imagine walking down a tree lined boulevard on a hot summers day with the ocean to one side and a sea breeze through your hair. Nice! The 9th track Lux Boutique, is another short track but the short tracks on this album never feel like filler but more transitional. This one is a really nice blend of weird tech-y sounds and a nice soft melody of chimes which somehow manages to create quite a dark atmosphere, like a summer evening. Track 10, Last Summer Dub, does exactly as the name suggests it will. It's very dubby and it feels very summery. A simple, only slightly varying melody flitters about like a firefly's life. It feels upbeat and always doing the same thing but when it changes it's gotten slower and dying but then is reborn again briefly before the end. The last regular track is That Much Closer which feels like a closing track to the summer. Think the end of summer, late September when it's not so hot but still comfortable enough to sit out on the grass with a few tinnies and watch the world go by. It's soft, it's dreamy, it's quite melodic and it's just nice. I bought this in Japan and like many albums I have been treated to a bonus track Opaque. I'm not sure what other versions have this but I think it's just the Japanese version. It's the longest track on the album and it's a damn good one. It is in the same feel as the rest of the album but a little further on, like post summer or something. It is warm but less so than the others... to me it feels like the transition to autumn. The time when you might start wearing a jumper again but no jacket. It has wicked synths and it builds and drops flawlessly. "Take a Stress Pill" it says and to be honest that just sums up the whole album. Relaxing, this album makes you forget about your troubles and your worries and makes you think about summers past when your best memories come from. I love it, I've listened to it a lot over the past 2 years and it always makes me feel good and brings a smile to my face

Abakus is a name you will for sure hear a lot. This is Russell Davies from the UK, who has allready released several tracks on various compilations on Liquid Sound Design, the chilled side label of Dragonfly Records. Here he is out with his debut album, which will for sure surprise many people with his beautiful summer chill. This release also came as a special Japanese edition where you will find a slightly different catalogue number and a bonus track. I am lucky enough to have the Japanese version... After hearing his tracks on several compilations, I have been really looking forward to this one. First out is a beautiful atmospheric track, with relaxed down tempo beats and a fantastic floating vibe. About as beautiful as it can get. The melodies make you really float. Perfect for chilling out in the sun. Track 2 is another melodic masterpiece, with a groovy bass and a relaxing tempo. The melodies are light and happy, but not too fluffy. Nice one. Track 3 is a totally chilled down tempo track, with some really nice easy listening melodies. The melodies are so happy that it will for sure result in many smiles in the chill out areas. Another perfect summer track. Track 4 is surprisingly a progressive trance track. But it is really soft and floating, so it is still very relaxing. Drifting beats and beautiful melodies and sounds. A track for the early evening dance floor or for your chilling out in the sun somewhere. Track 5 goes a bit more experimental. Cool experimental beats and twists, mystic melody and an almost scary bass. Definetely more psychedelic vibe in this one. Really good. Track 6 is one of the most beautiful acoustic tracks I have ever heard. Acoustic guitar and a wonderful flute played by Rebecca Lawrence. You also get some dubby beats, and I wish this track lasted longer, because it is a bit short (only three and a half minute). One of the best chill out tracks I have ever heard. Track 7 (Indu) starts with dubby beats. Then the floating beautiful melodies drifts into the track. This sounds just fantastic! This track is also released on a 12”on Liquid Sound Design with an extra remix of this track done by an artist called Shiloh. After a while, the dubby beats goes over to a stumpy down tempo rhythm you can either dance to or chill out to. Another all time favourite, but again I wish it lasted a bit longer. Track 8 (California Sunshine) was first released on the Youth In Dub compilation on Liquid Sound Design. This has also got some acoustic guitar and a lot of etnic vocals done by someone named Ranajit Sengupta. This track reminds me quite a lot of some of the tracks by Angel Tears. Track 9 starts with some weird relaxing sounds. Then a light melody sneaks in. One of the slowest and most experimental ambient tracks on this album. Weird, but beautiful. Track 10 was first released on the Wider Horizons compilation on Liquid Sound Design. This one is made together with Jeremy Van Kampen who was previously one half of Cosmosis, now most known as Laughing Buddha. A totally relaxing down tempo track with some nice tribal drums and happy melodies drifting above. Track 11 is actually the last track if you have got the European version of this compilation. This is an absolute masterpiece. The melodies in this one are so incredibly beautiful! Mixed with totally relaxed down tempo beats and a floating vibe, this makes it to another favourite chill out track of all times! Fantastic! I just wish the track lasted a bit longer. The bonus track you get on the Japanese version is a mystic ambient track. Deep and floating with experimental beats. Nice one. This album is in my opinion the best album released so far on Liquid Sound Design! One of the best albums of 2004. So if you are after some really fresh, pure quality chill for the summer, I would suggest you to check this out. Recommended!