Taken from Amazon.com
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A wonderful motley of emotions, July 25, 2002
Reviewer: ajegede from Bloomington, IN United States

Firstly, I must say that I am disappointed with the overall response to the album and I think this is due to a misunderstanding of its status. Many claimed that the collaborations diluted the feel and general quality of the work and that Oakenfold should quickly revert to DJing instead. Perhaps they missed the sticker on the cd which said: "The debut *Artist* cd from Paul Oakenfold." This implies that Oakenfold wanted to release a work which exposed all the versatility, complexity and intrigue that artists carry. As a DJ, I'm sure Oakenfold has made some very good trance cd's but trance as a genre itself is usually bound by an obligation to be upbeat, fast and [sometimes] repetitive. Oakenfold--as a DJ--didn't produce music that you could relish for its artistic flavor but instead music you could relish for its high-pitched energy. If you plan on buying Bunkka because you believe it embodies the aformentioned trance ethic then stay away from this album. But if you plan on listening to something which utilizes complicated soundscapes to express emotive possibilities then, by all means, purchase this cd.

With that small caveat out of the way, we can proceed to the "meat and bones" of the review. Bunkka is, in one word, stunning. Oakenfold shifts from various electronica styles just enough to display his chimeric skills in the studio and, in the process, animates moods and emotions that rival many other artists. Bunkka first starts off with "Ready Steady Go," a high-pitched trance track which trades some of the synthesizers for a rather catchy guitar riff. However, we later on see (or hear) Oakenfold's talent show with "Zoo York," a viscerally-appealing song which successfully uses an audio sample from Darren Aronofsky's movie, "Requiem for a Dream." This song, to me, marks a proper shift in the album's direction since the ones preceding it were more trance-like. "Nixon's Spirit," probably one of my favorite tracks, follows with a nearly Ambient appeal to it as journalist Hunter S. Thompson does spoken word. Emilliana Torrini does vocals on "Hold Your Hand," giving the song a very trip-hop appeal to it. The rest of the tracks mix trip-hop, break beat, and down beat elements with extreme fluidity (check out the Freestylers-like "Starry-Eyed Surprise").

Overall I'd say this is a stellar album. Originally I wasn't too interested in Oakenfold but now I know that I wasn't interested in him as a *Trance DJ.* As an artist his work is diverse and inspiring. A must-have for those who appreciate music of any kind.


Just thought I'd paste this I agree with this gentleman on his opinion and review

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Few of my all time favorites:

Benz & MD - Oneric
Madoka - Plataforma
Solid Globe - North Pole
Quivver - Space Maneuvers Part 3
Digital Witchcraft - Brindavan (Grayarea's Purge the Inventory Mix)

I think all the oakie haters must be newbies to trance or just plain ignorant. You have to give respect to the man for all the great mixes he did during 98, 99, and 2000. Heck, hearing Oakenfolds Global Underground New York in 1998 is what got me into trance, and Tranceport is one of my favorite cds of all time. Yes, come 2001 he slumped, I got Another World and it was ok, but somewhat dissapointing. After that... crap, but Paul Oakenfold Presents has been damn good lately.
It just really dissapoints me that so many people dont have their own real opinions and just hop on the bandwagon and follow the latest trends.

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The quest to see 12 Sander K shows in 1 year
last show:
#8 - Jul 3 - Pacha, Ibiza
next up:
#9 - Oct 22 - Space, Miami
#10 - Nov 23 - Icon, Orlando
#11 - Dec 17 - Space, Miami
hopefully:
#12 - Dec 31 - NYE in LA!!!

quote:

Originally posted by Cobalt The question is "when?" I wasn't into electronica back then, but apparently he imported goa to the UK in the mid-nineties (see A Voyage Into Trance).

I thought Oakey said he had nothing to do with that album, and I would hope not because it was pure shit. I would say a mix between prog trance/breaks.

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Top Tracks ATM
Nikola Gala - Blue Impulse
Ozgur Can Feat. Nick Beman - Not Even Winds
Powerplant - Turn It To Gold (Madoka's Mix)
Sultan & The Greek - Wadi (Original Mix)
Carlos Vives - Comu Tu (Paul Oakenfold Mix)
Bjork - Violently Happy (Mercurio Mix)

Ok, enough from your ignorant lamer noobies.

Small history lesson for you people, Paul Oakenfold who you can hate or love, whatever you choose. The guy is part of our music history whether we like it or not. He signed salt'n'pepa and other acts. He was at the forefront of acid house (which for you ignorant noobies) was 1988, then again most of you noobies where either not born yet or under the age of 2. He led that and then became u2's official dj. He spearheaded the goa movement in 1994 and won many many awards. He has spun just about everything from hip hop, rock, house, trance, prog, drum n bass and techno and some other styles. You can diss him for playing utter shite now and for bunkka BUT he was at the forefront of the 1998-2000 trance explosion and if you have brains then you will realize that his sets were legendary. If you don't then I would stfu because he ruled back then. He fell off the world stage and has reinvented himself. I don't like the current version of oakenfold but he is a legend in the terms of history of music and a legendary dj (1999 world tour..nuff said).

well said andy

Personaly I boycot the guy, for the simple fact, that when you go into a music store (at least around here) he has pretty much his own section. And besides AVB CAN'T BE TOUCHED.

i enjoy his current weekend sets on Oakey presents, good tune selection. I dont know why everyone hates on the guy any more, yes bunkka was ass, however one fucking album isnt his whole carreer NTM the album is like so far back in music time that his style has probably completely alterred since, i dont know what you guys are rockin but i havent heard starry eye suprise any time recently

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Peace DigDug

Oakie owned in the late 90's, his sets were so fucking well structured it was amazing.

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-Polska

Yeah, you should listen to Oakenfold on the Millenium. Great great epic stuff. Yeah, I love Voyage into Trance, I'd say that's more techy/epic but still really gao

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Until next time, this is Matt saying turn up the bass...and listen up

quote:

Originally posted by torontotrance Ok, enough from your ignorant lamer noobies. Small history lesson for you people, Paul Oakenfold who you can hate or love, whatever you choose. The guy is part of our music history whether we like it or not. He signed salt'n'pepa and other acts. He was at the forefront of acid house (which for you ignorant noobies) was 1988, then again most of you noobies where either not born yet or under the age of 2. He led that and then became u2's official dj. He spearheaded the goa movement in 1994 and won many many awards. He has spun just about everything from hip hop, rock, house, trance, prog, drum n bass and techno and some other styles. You can diss him for playing utter shite now and for bunkka BUT he was at the forefront of the 1998-2000 trance explosion and if you have brains then you will realize that his sets were legendary. If you don't then I would stfu because he ruled back then. He fell off the world stage and has reinvented himself. I don't like the current version of oakenfold but he is a legend in the terms of history of music and a legendary dj (1999 world tour..nuff said).

amen to this

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DJ Arjan Kreischer.com is online!