Kraak & Smaak
The Remix Sessions

Review By Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck
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  Kraak & Smaak is a production team consisting of Wim Plug, Oscar De Jong, Mark Kneppers, a live band with Ro Krom, Rose, Marc Baronner, and DJ DelaSarge.

The Remix Sessions is two discs filled with several different artists all from the same genre. This particular group of performers stands tall amongst the hundreds of artists trying to put a dent into the consciousness of today's youth. That part of society that gobbles up this music as they do junk food and video games. There is also the 20 to 30 something crowd that will have this spinning because the energy and electricity it emanates is hard to ignore, especially when you need something to pick you up besides that morning latte.

I found disc one very entertaining and at times mesmerizing. Kraak & Smaak are superb mixologists. They remix all the tracks except the last one on disc two titled "No Sun In The Sky, which is comes courtesy of Noogman. My tastes have a wide range and that is why I found the first disc so inviting. The tracks that really pulled me in and forced me to listen again were 'Devil Inside" (Max Sedgley), "Love Is My Religion" (Karl Moesti) and "She's Gone" (Resin Dogs).

Disc 2 was not as appealing because the use of repetitive lyrics and sounds. I realize this is part of what makes the music what it is and it can be the main attraction, especially when you hit the dance floor. However, for this listener I prefer the cohesiveness of the songs offered on disc one. There was value in disc two with stars like Jay Kay of Jamiroquai doing his thing on songs such as "Electric Mistress," and "Seven Days in Sunny June," which I can appreciate. The words made sense without a doubt but it just did not do it for me as the first disc did. Certainly, many ears out there will love every minute of this two-disc set. I just happen to be a little more selective or finicky than your average listener.

I also have to mention the packaging. I liked the color scheme, images, and the layout.

It comes in a gatefold cardboard tri fold case with two plastic trays for each disc. You also get an insert from Quango Music that informs of their artists and new releases. In the end, there was a lot to appreciate here and that puts this ahead of many other CDs out there that are vying for your attention and dollars.

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