Search - Banco de Gaia :: 10 Years

Not the essential Banco, but adequate for a 1st compilation

maitri | United States | 09/21/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Being enthralled and sucked in by 'Drippy' while listening to the soundtrack of the movie 'Pi' forced me to buy every album created by the musical power that is Banco de Gaia. So, I have a lot of respect for the artist and the feeling and potency he puts into his work. When I heard about this album, you guessed it, I rushed out to the store again. However, I was a bit disappointed this time. While it contains standards like Kincajou, Drippy, Last Train To Lhasa, Drunk As A Monk, and Shanti, I was let down at what the album doesn't showcase. How could a compilation of 10 years of effort not contain Gamelah and Sheesha from Maya and the soul-ripping intensity of the song Big Men Cry? While I appreciate that only so many songs can fit on a 'best of' album, I Love Baby Cheesy and How Much Reality Can You Take? could have been left off to make room for numbers that better capture Marks' sensibility as a musician. Yet, the album has its plus points. Desert Wind, with the vocal talent of the late, great Ofra Haza, is a wonderful piece and I enjoyed Sakarya and the revitalized Heliopolis . Disc 2 is extremely relaxing and I love the transition from Celestine to Shanti to Sinhala. The album on a whole is sensibly structured with bouncy pieces on Disc 1 and the more mellow ones on Disc 2. And, it held my interest through the entire playtime. If you are a newcomer looking for a concise collection of Banco's work, I highly recommend the purchase of this album in conjunction with one of the first, Maya, and the beautiful and inimitable Big Men Cry. It is also a good collection for seasoned Bancophiles, to which I would have added a couple of songs. But, keep in mind, this is unquestionably good music from an intelligent artist ... qualities that are hard to come by in entertainment these days."

Simply Unbelievable

Michael Laimo | Melville, NY United States | 11/19/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ten Years from Banco De Gaia (Toby Marks) is a masterpiece that should be savored by anyone who appreciates music. There's something in his music that can satisfy any taste. Whether you're into rock, dance, prog, electronica, world, ambient, you'll find something to dig here. Banco's music transcends genres: there is no one proper way to describe it, other than "truly wonderful". You won't be able to keep your feet from tapping as this ten-year retrospective kicks in with Heliopolis, the first track from Banco's first release, Maya. This new mix sets the pace for CD one--aptly consisting of Banco's more upbeat numbers--and leads into the rocking beats of Kincajou. Next up is the eleven minute anthem, Last Train To Lhasa, which proudly shows Banco's musical prowness with heavy beats, dinstinct keys, and melodical layers that go on and on. Drippy fades in, a shortened version from the album, but no less rocking. How Much Reality Can You Take is a mix that departs greatly from its original version, and although loaded with hard-rocking beats, falls a bit shy from the beauty of the original on Igezeh. Next up, perhaps Banco's best song, I Love Baby Cheesy, is an alternate mix from the original, and just as good, if not better. The price of the CD is worth this song alone! Skip down to Drunk As A Monk, Banco's most guitar-driven song--imagine Pink Floyd with a dance beat. This is it, a wonderful song that will never grow old no matter how many listens you give it.CD 2 is comprised of Banco's more atmospheric pieces. Like CD one, all the songs are DJ mixed, creating a continuous flow of original versions and new mixes. Desert Wind, previously unavailable on an album, sets the tone for CD2. Celestine is the most Pinkn Floyd sounding number of all, with Dick Parry on Saxaphone. The beat picks up a bit with Shanti and Sinhala, and slows with 887, a 15 minute opus of gorgeous soundscapes and melodies. Touching The Void is perhaps the best song on this side, with a quick beat and a rap that is damn near incredible.You get two hours and thirty-five minutes worth of music here...and some of the best instrumental tunes you're ever to hear. BUY THIS CD...you'll be glad you did. I haven't met a person that has listened to Banco De Gaia, and didn't like it."

Sublime dance music by a master musician

Phurge | Sydney, Australia | 04/25/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"We all know someone who says dance musc isn't "real" music - its just a soulless collection of loops over a 4/4 beat isn't it?Au contraire,Pull out this cd and give it to them, complex, intricate melodies over superbly crafted beats, crossing a variety of genres, to create sublime music, which most importantly, has emotion and soul.This is listening music as well as dance music. The fact that the collection spans ten years but has not dated is testament to the quality of the music.I came to this through hearing a couple of Banco's tracks on Sasha & Digweed's Northern Exposure - thats a basic cross reference of the sound - danceable, emotion filled tracks. But there is so much more to the Banco sound.For those of you like me who tend to avoid "world" or "ambient" music, don't be scared off. There are elements of both styles here, (as well as many more) but they are used to good effect. Also remember this is not a chill cd - its dance music, slip cd 1 on at your next party and see the dancefloor fill up.Dance music for the body, mind and soul?Here it is."