Album / Chaim - Alive

English Received as a promo some days ago the new album “Alive” of the Israeli producer Chaim Avital, known also as Chaim, has literally enlightened my week-end. The man that we discovered in 2007 with a fantastic track “Beaches” produced with superstar Guy Gerber, is back with a first solo album that will be released on February 14th, 2011 under BPitch Control, the Berlin-based label. Globally, the album evolves in some jazzy and funky sounds using classic jacking Chicago jams and hypnotic synth hooks. “Alive” delivers multiples emotions from a seductive house to a more subtle oriental flavor with sentimental melodies. Chaim says about it: “I make emotional music: it's a reflection of my life." Chaim - Alive (Album tracklisting) 01. Chaim - Rain 02. Chaim - U & Eye feat. Meital De Razon (Radio Edit) 03. Chaim - Everything 04. Chaim - Wish feat. Snax 05. Chaim - Love Rehab (Album Version) 06. Chaim - Runaway Frequencies 07. Chaim - Don't Shout 08. Chaim - Who Said What 09. Chaim - Naturalness 10. Chaim - Popsky 11. Chaim - People Can Talk The guy, who comes from Tel Aviv, released during his first year of production (2007) a wave of stunning releases for labels like Supplement facts, Cocoon and Turbo Recordings. There were for instance the incredible “Cosa nostra” but also “Carolin” or “Israeli EP” done with our lovely friend Guy J, notably for the track “Rue de Charlotte”. “Alive” features new tracks by Chaim and a new version of his single "Love Rehab" from earlier this year, with a French vocal. There are also some guest appearances: the flamboyant funk vocalist Snax and past Chaim’s collaborator Meital De Razon for “Love rehab” and “U and eye”. Chaim catches in an album the euphoric moments of club music into absorbing pop and funky songs. Here is a review of each track, as I do for every album reviewed. 01. Chaim - Rain: “It is the opener with soft melodies and a sampled vocal that bring alive the melodies. The rain effect can be perceived thanks to samples that look like to be live sample from nature. ” 02. Chaim feat. Meital De Razon - U & Eye (Radio Edit): ”This track remembers one, but impossible to put a name on it. Nevertheless, there is a good beat and the cold vocal of Meital de Rason. There is also an interesting bass that give an epic side to the production such as sounds of radio waves. This track will be the first single of the album.” 03. Chaim – Everything: “What a groovy track that smells Chicago’s style with piano melodies. In a Kevin Saunderson’s style, the techno beats and the underground atmosphere strike your heart from the first notes. There is something primal in here. Certainly in the top three of the album.” 04. Chaim feat. Snax - Wish: “Emotion is the first word that came to me. Using some disco samples, the lovely voice of Snax created an old school spirit, quiet sexy. It’s all about emotion.” 05. Chaim - Love Rehab (Album Version): “As we said before, the track has a French vocal and is very dancing. It will be easy to invite a partner and dance in a lustful way. It is the most pleasurable track of the album.” 06. Chaim - Runaway Frequencies: “This track is completely different from the previous one. Using a more dynamic rhythm, it has something that fits with a series generic. In a Balearic atmosphere, you will be transported into a beach, looking the endless horizon. There is no way back…” 07. Chaim - Don't Shout: “It brings a dark side to the album. In an oppressive and heavy groove, the track will give you sweat. Very dark and underground.” 08. Chaim - Who Said What: “This is a sexy song with an explicit vocal. There is also kind of an electronic violin and a sweet female voice, whispering words.” 09. Chaim - Natur