Various - Relaxed Journeys

Overall I would have to say that I’m just as, or a tad more impressed by PKS’s compiling skills on his second compilation release on Chill Tribe Records. As one can easily hear this release contains a much more summer vibration of life and wisdom - A new era of human civilization. Where the first release Quality Relaxations was more cold and western (in a good way), this album is much warmer and eastern influenced all over. A BIG FAT bonus to PKS, because he needs to get BIG reconditions for what is the AWSOME booklet featured inside your new bought Relaxed Journeys. A big pile of respect to PKS and his small budget to include such a well informed booklet with pictures and goodies. If you enjoy life, and you enjoy psychedelic ChillOut music at its finest! Then do not hesitate, get yourself a copy, sit down, light up and enjoy! I would trust my trip in PKS’s hands any time, that’s for sure! Recommended!

Total Score: 8.27 / 10

Shanti chill…

From Norway comes the second release on Chill Tribe Records. The brainchild of collector, DJ, reviewer, webmaster and Discogs-persona PKS (Per Kristian Slagsvold). The seminal release Quality Relaxation catapulted onto the scene in 2005 and still holds up as a very lush chill-out compilation. One of the best released in 2005. For the follow-up, PKS has outdone himself in lining up some of the biggest, most sought-after chill-out producers. The track list is absolutely impressive. Let’s begin the journey.

Just as Quality Relaxation was, this compilation is a very impressive collection of fine tracks within the downbeat genre… We get both percussion-rich melodic tunes and virtually beatless floating ambient here… The flow is better this time round, enhancing the ever so important journey feeling.

The quality level is impressive and I like the vast majority of the tracks here. There are no bad tracks here, and the few less-brilliant tracks are easily outweighed by the many brilliant tracks. PKS surely knows his music and once again he has managed to collect and compile one hell of selection of tracks. The very nice – and fat - booklet with info on all the artists is just the icing on the already mouth-watering chill cake. A no-brainer purchase for any fan of eclectic, smooth downbeat music. Enjoy!

Favourites: 1, 2(!), 3(!!), 5, 7, 8(!), 10

PKS and Chill Tribe Records releases their second and firmly sought-after compilation 'Relaxed Journeys'. Anticipations are higher this time around, of course, seeing the great responses "Quality Relaxation" received ever since its release in June 2005. Relaxed Journeys features 10 tracks carefully chosen from the genres of ambient, dub, and world music. Now, you'd think topping an album such as Quality Relaxation would be rather tricky, as it boasts tracks from great artists such as Jaïa, Entheogenic, Shulman, Ishq and Cell. Well you're right, it is tricky. Some tracks on QR are indubitably among the greatest songs from a great variety of ambient artist. However, Relaxed Journeys accomplishes this, this time around, even without featuring as many big names. Some of the names are quite unknown, but their quality of the songs are still excellent. The different types of tracks and how it is mixed altogether makes Relaxed Journeys live up to its name. It is darn relaxing. The tracks all seem very 'serious' in the way they're built up and how they sound. That's why handpicking songs is a great way of featuring the best sides of artists with tracks such as these.

When it comes to a theme of musical influences, this album differs from Quality Relaxation. Where QR felt very European - Scandinavian even, Relaxed Journeys is more pointed towards the oriental side. Mixing such sounds and samples along an electronic streamlining with some dubby chilled aspects all blended together results in a very interesting album. You get the feeling this album has been polished and compiled very properly, both evident in the quality of the songs, the artwork, the sleeve and design. However, the album does have something special about it, not letting itself blend among the hundreds upon hundreds of other ambient compilations. Thumbs up for PKS and Chill Tribe Records, this is a great sequel for those who enjoyed Quality Relaxation, and a great all-around electronic ambient for those who hunger for more.