Kaito - Special Love

This release is such a great idea. As noted above, it's the beatless (and bass-lightened) versions of some of Kaito's melodic house tracks.

First, these songs sound beautiful without beats (seriously, how much house pays this much attention to the melodic orchestration? No beats *or* basslines, and it still sounds great). Hugely listenable melodic ambience.

But this is also a DJ and remixer heaven -- put any beats and basslines you want under these tracks, and they're bound to sound good. Great tracks for DJ sets like "Air Rider" have a whole new life and become customizable. House it up, house it down, it's all good. Or just sit back and listen.

Total lush. I don't understand why many people still ignore this record as one of the deffinitive ambient efforts of the decade. The total idea of "Special love" reminds me of early beatless stuff by The Sabres of Paradise, the "Sabresonic" era: they would remix their own tracks on an atmospheric mood, perfect for ecstatic travels in your sofa. Kaito: one of the best, yet underrated.

Fine album by this Japanese Super Star . It takes a while to appreciate the beauty of this LP. Reminds me of the good about TUBULAR BELLS . This is in the same vein . I'm listening to it now for the second time in a row and start to get in the mood and in the groove . Though called 'beatless and ambient', it still got lots of rhythm ( especially Tack 2 on Side 2 'Intension' keeps me groovin )..
This LP is indeed a milestone for Kompakt and all this raving about it in the press is not in vain..