Artist: Chinese Man Album: The Groove Sessions, Volume 3

Year: 2014
Duration: 0:0-1

A Critical Review of the Album: The Groove Sessions, Volume 3 by Chinese Man

If you're a fan of electronic and hip-hop music, you might have heard of Chinese Man, a French music collective founded in 2004. The group is known for their unique blend of groovy electronic beats, soulful melodies, and hip-hop flows. Their latest album, The Groove Sessions, Volume 3, is a collection of 14 tracks that showcase the group's evolution and experimentation in the genre. In this blog post, we'll take a critical look at the album, including its history, genre, highlights, and drawbacks.

The Groove Sessions, Volume 3 is a continuation of Chinese Man's Groove Sessions series, which started in 2007. This album features collaborations with a diverse range of artists, such as Scratch Bandits Crew, Youthstar, and ASM. The album follows a similar formula to its predecessors, with upbeat instrumental tracks, soulful vocal tracks, and some tracks that blend the two.

One of the standout tracks on the album is Escape. This track features funky guitar riffs, a groovy bassline, and a catchy vocal sample. The song builds up to a crescendo with the addition of horns and percussion, creating a feel-good vibe that's infectious. Another highlight is Wolf, which features an ominous piano melody, hard-hitting drums, and a gritty rap verse from R.A. The Rugged Man. The song is a perfect example of the group's ability to blend different genres seamlessly.

One of the most innovative parts of the album is the use of live instruments. Chinese Man has always used samples heavily in their music, but they've taken a different approach in this album. The group incorporates live guitars, basses, and drums, which add a new dimension to their sound. This live instrumentation can be heard prominently in tracks like L'ombre, which features a jazzy guitar solo and funky bassline.

However, there are some drawbacks to the album. Some of the vocal tracks feel repetitive and lack the energy of the instrumental tracks. Hold Tight, for example, features a monotonous vocal hook that gets repetitive after a while. Additionally, some of the tracks feel like they're missing a wow factor. While the production is top-notch and the tracks are well-crafted, there are no tracks that stand out as exceptional or groundbreaking.

In conclusion, The Groove Sessions, Volume 3 is an enjoyable album that showcases Chinese Man's skill and creativity in the genre. The album incorporates live instrumentation, diverse collaborations, and catchy beats that will get you dancing. However, it also has some drawbacks, such as repetitive vocal tracks and lack of standout moments. If you're a fan of Chinese Man's previous work or enjoy funky, groovy music, you'll enjoy this album. Overall, The Groove Sessions, Volume 3 is a solid addition to the group's discography and a testament to their evolution in the genre.