Yin-Yang

Amazon.com
Victor Wooten is one of those rare electric bass technocrats who learned all the right lessons from Jaco Pastorius. While sounding not at all like him, Wooten exhibits the same ability to retain the groove and a warm midrange tone while demonstrating considerable prowess. On this ambitious two-CD project, Wooten runs the gamut from "wave" type instrumentals like "Imagine This," where overdubbed basses function as both foundation and melody instruments, to sampled spoken-word pieces. Yin-Yang is definitely a family affair, including three other Wootens--Joseph (keys), Regi (guitar), and Rudy (sax)--as well as extended family members like Victor's fellow Flecktone Béla Fleck and Dave Matthews Band drummer Carter Beauford. Even with all these guests, one would've preferred perhaps a more tightly edited single CD that featured more of Wooten's instrumental individuality (on the order of "Singing My Song" with its stripped-down bass, drum, and vocal approach, or "Tali Lama" with its bluegrass tinges courtesy of Peter Rowan, and less generic "happy jazz" like "The Urban Turban"). Nevertheless, Yin-Yang should be required listening for any player or fan of electric bass. --Michael Ross

From Jazziz
Yin and yang are opposite principles whose interaction influences the destinies of all creatures and things. On his new two-disc set, electric-bass extraordinaire Victor wooten presents a resourceful way of getting musical opposites to connect: Let them mix, mingle, play off each other, and cohere organically. This fusion has a most attractive outcome: 20 tracks that show off Wooten's commanding ability to mine an impressive and seemingly unrelated range of musical elements. The first disc, Yin, covers much ground, from the progressive funk of Tali Lama, with its African djembe, shaker, and evocative use of wah-wah, to Zenergy, whose square-dance feel is decorated with jazzily expressive banjo by Victor's boss in the Flecktones, Béla Fleck. Joe's Journey even uses a string section (with Wooten on cello) in a heartfelt tribute to a departed friend. Disc two, Yang, is an impressive set of slow and fast dancefloor funk, with great production, intelligent lyrics, and a strong sense of soul tradition. Bootsy Collins shows up to sing the wry What Crime Is It?, which includes killer electric-bass work from the leader. The sunny pop of Go Girl Go is perfect summer-radio material, while One and Hero are poignant, positive messages of brotherhood. If Wooten does want to try and influence destiny, it's through reconciling the differences in apparent opposites, which he appears to do here.

Tracks:

Imagine This
Yinin' & Yangin' (Instrumental)
Hip Bop
Joe's Journey
The Urban Turban
Tali Lama
Zenergy
Kaila Speaks
Sacred Place
Resolution

Tracks:

Hormones In The Headphones
Yinin' & Yangin' (Vocal)
Kaila Raps
One
What Crime Is It?
Go Girl Go
Pretty Little Lady
Hero
Singing My Song
Think About That

Amazon.com

Victor Wooten is one of those rare electric bass technocrats who learned all the right lessons from Jaco Pastorius. While sounding not at all like him, Wooten exhibits the same ability to retain the groove and a warm midrange tone while demonstrating considerable prowess. On this ambitious two-CD project, Wooten runs the gamut from "wave" type instrumentals like "Imagine This," where overdubbed basses function as both foundation and melody instruments, to sampled spoken-word pieces. Yin-Yang is definitely a family affair, including three other Wootens--Joseph (keys), Regi (guitar), and Rudy (sax)--as well as extended family members like Victor's fellow Flecktone Béla Fleck and Dave Matthews Band drummer Carter Beauford. Even with all these guests, one would've preferred perhaps a more tightly edited single CD that featured more of Wooten's instrumental individuality (on the order of "Singing My Song" with its stripped-down bass, drum, and vocal approach, or "Tali Lama" with its bluegrass tinges courtesy of Peter Rowan, and less generic "happy jazz" like "The Urban Turban"). Nevertheless, Yin-Yang should be required listening for any player or fan of electric bass. --Michael Ross

Customer Reviews:

Stick to Intsrumental Music, Vic.......2006-07-02

To state the obvious, Wooten is an amazing bass player. He can slap like a maniac, keep a groove like no one else and improvise with amazing skill. His writing of music is amazing. Now that we've established how amazing Vic really is (which is that he's probably the best electric bass player on the planet right now), let's get into this album.

Yin-Yang is a very bold project. Wooten has made one disc of instrumental music, and one disc of vocal music. The instrumental stuff is quite amazing, really exhibiting Vic's musical genius, technical brilliance and outstanding collaboration with many great musicians. The second disc has something that the first disc doesn't have, lyrics. Corny lyrics at that. That's the problem with this album. The lyrics are cheesy and silly much of the time. Some of the vocalists don't have much to flaunt either. Especially Tabitha Fair on "Hero" and Allison Taylor on "One." The music itself is still quite good, but I like Wooten not because I like listening to him as accompaniment, but because he's an amazing player and he shines like the glory of the Lord when he's in the limelight. I wish he was in the limelight more often. After hearing the vocal work on this album, I don't know that I'll be able to bring myself about to purchase "Soul Circus."

Are you the BASS God?.......2003-04-25

He must be one of theBass god of 21th century.Like James jemarson,Booty Colins....etc
This dable album have two side.Like the titlle of this Album as you can see.
The side of Yin means Shadow,dark...Anyway It featured instmental mainly of course Bass.The other side Yang means Daytime,light....
anyway it Futured Songs.
Yin have feels more fusion and smooth jazz.Yang is more Funky and straght to feel energys.I like both.
It have diffrent flava each other.You can choose the feeling of the day,Party or RElax.It's intersting concept.
And for funkeeters! Don't miss it Because Booty Colins is there.He helps Vic.great.

So,Victor makes this album made by 16tracks portable recording system.It is hard to beliave easy.This sound is not so bad.
You should try it.

Are you the BASS God?.......2003-04-25

So,Victor makes this album made by 16tracks portable recording system.It is hard to beliave easy.This sound is not so bad.
You should try it.

An unbalanced Yin-Yang.......2002-03-29

I rate this at 4-stars because I would have to say that the Yin (instrumental CD) is 5-stars, while the Yang (vocal CD) is 3-stars. The 2-CD set, however, is well worth buying solely for the Yin half. Victor Wooten's amazing compositions, with stellar accompanists like Béla Fleck, Carter Beauford, and Jeff Coffin, make this CD a very fun, enjoyable listen. This comes from both Victor's technical mastery of the bass guitar and his beautiful and exciting compositions. Highlights of Yin: "Zenergy," "Resolution," "Joe's Journey," "Imagine This." Yang however, lacks the creative writing that Yin holds. Two highlights are "What Crime Is It?" and "Singing my Song." Both provide a very enjoyable listen. In the end, this CD-set is worth its cost in solely the Yin half, while Yang's few highlights add to its great enjoyment.

vic's best overall work.......2001-06-02

I have all of Victor Wooten's solo albums and a bunch of the Flecktones' stuff, and I must say that this is Vic's most polished and mature work yet. Evidently secure in his all-universe status, Vic is more content than ever to apply his superhuman skills to a very "human" enterprise, that is, making MUSIC with substance and taste. Many of the songs on this album falls on the "smoother" side of jazz fusion and, thus, will probably disappoint those looking for something more on the edge. Still, Vic and his cohorts play with a level of mastery that none of the smooth-jazz schlock meisters could ever touch. All in all, a very satisfying album, although I agree that it probably could've been distilled to a single rock-solid disc.

Tracks:

Sidewalk Maneuvers
Praise
Nite Owl
Taxi
Tamarin Lion
Gory Details
Agitate The Gravel
Okapi
Orion
Steppish
Saras Touch

Customer Reviews:

Worthwhile.......2007-07-17

Purchasing this particular album was a bit of a gamble for me since Michael Brecker's Sax is not there, as on previous Steps Ahead albums. Surprisingly, Brecker's absence allows more of a statement from Mike Mainieri's Vibraharp, Synclavier, etc. The result is very cool and rhythmic with more of a melodic presence. Enjoy.

Yin Yang - a great album with simply beautiful music!.......2001-06-13

Different forms of style here: ballads, rock based backbeats, straight ahead jazz...Mike's vibraphone tells a story and the rhythm section play with great precision and feel. Awesome Steve Smith and Jeff! Racheal Z. and a host of guest artist put the finishing touch on a sexy, sophisticated, beautiful experience. buy it!

Average customer rating:

True To It's Title
2nd solo album is pretty good
THE TRASH AND THE GARBAGE
Very underated for such a great album!
The Yin and the Yang

The Yin and the Yang
Cappadonna
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

East Coast | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Gangsta & Hardcore | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Pop Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

The Pillage
The Struggle
Immobilarity
Visions Of The Tenth Chamber
Bulletproof Wallets

ASIN: B00005APZM
Release Date: 2001-04-03

Tracks:

The Grits (feat. 8-Off)
Super Model (feat. Ghostface Killah)
War Rats
Bread of Life (feat. Killah Priest & Neonek)
Love Is the Message (feat. Raekwon)
We Know (feat. Jermaine Dupri & Da Brat)
Shake Dat (feat. Jammie Sommers)
Big Business (feat. Shyheim & Crunch)
Revenge (feat. Timbo King)
One Way 2 Zion (feat. Culture)

Amazon.com

On The Yin and the Yang, Wu Tang acolyte Cappadonna shows he has come a long way since he made his first appearance on Chef Raekwon's 1995 masterpiece Only Built 4 Cuban Linx. His 1998 solo debut, The Pillage, was one of the most potent albums from the extended Wu family, and his sophomore release continues to deliver. With a defiant delivery, his breathless flow riding on a pulverizing beat, Cappadonna covers territory from brutal realism ("Why It Gotta Be Like This") to lusty fantasy ("Supermodel"). But, as he explains in "Big Business," his real aim is to provide "the vaccine for Uncle Tom rap." And that's what he does, pitched against a claustrophobic backdrop of flaming horns and baleful strings, on the apocalyptic "Bread of Life," the impassioned "Save The Children," and the pained confessional call for peace on "Revenge." The Yin and the Yang shows that Cappadonna is one of rap's leading exponents. --Gavin Martin

Customer Reviews:

True To It's Title.......2005-01-05

Its an appropiate name for the album. Half of it is good. The other is alright/bad. The Gritz, SuperModel, War Rats (originally to be named Star Wars), Love Is The Message, Bread Of life, Big Business, and Revenge are the good songs. We Know, Shake Dat, One Way 2 Zion, and the bonus track are either okay or trully bad. Definetely The Yin & Yang.

2nd solo album is pretty good.......2004-11-10

Don Don Cappachino the Donnamite returns after about 2 and half years to deliver his second solo effort. Though not as good as his classic debut, and slightly below his "Struggle" it has some good songs. There are about 2 songs of the 11 that are definitely skippable and 2 more that are ok, but the other 7 are all tight songs (2 are almost classic material). It starts off maybe stronger than his debut but dwindles halfway through and picks up a little toward the end. Production is decent, mostly by non-Wu related producers. Neonek does 5, Goldfingaz does 2, and Jermaine Dupri, Trumaster, Inspectah Deck and 8-off all do 1. I'd recommend it for his fans or Wu fans but it needs more quality songs. All songs but one feature at least one other rapper.

#1 - 9.5 (f/ 8-Off)
#2 - 9 (f/ Ghostface Killah on the hook)
#3 - 9 (f/ Neonek)
#4 - 8.5 (f/ Killah Priest, Neonek)
#5 - 9.5 (f/ Raekwon)
#6 - 5.5 (f/ Da Brat)
#7 - 5 (f/ Jamie Sommers)
#8 - 9 (f/ Shyheim & Crunch Lo)
#9 - 7.5 (f/ Masta Killa, Royal Fam & Prodigal Sun)
#10 - 4 (f/ Culture)
#11 - 7.5

b. -- Darryl Hill --- Park Hill, Staten Island, NY --- 1969
check all my reviews

THE TRASH AND THE GARBAGE.......2004-04-27

THIS CD HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH YIN AND YANG..ITS ALL BAD..IT IS THE WORST WU EFFORT TO DATE..WELL AT LEAST FROM THE MAIN MEMBERS..GET THE ACCAPELLAS FROM THE PILLAGE ALBUM AND PICK YOUR OWN BEATS IF YOU HAVE THE EQUIPMENT..THATS THE CLOSEST YOU COULD GET TO A GOOD CAPPA ALBUM RIGHT NOW..HE NEEDS RZA BEATS BADLY

Very underated for such a great album!.......2003-10-05

When I bought it ,I didn't expect too much but when I put it on I LOVED IT!

It might not be your average Wu-Tang album, however the flow the beats and everything is pure quality stuff!

Favorite songs: "Love Is the Message w/raekwon"A soulful-disco beat , great lyrics leads to the best Wu-tang due collabo, ever?
"Big Business", "Bread of Life", "The Grits" are also really great songs...
THERE EXIST NO BAD SONGS ON THIS ALBUM

The Yin and the Yang.......2003-09-01

I cannot believe how underrated this album, let alone this rapper, are... even amongst Wu-heads... I'm not sure what the reviewer who referred to them as "Intelligent stuff only rich kids listen to" was trying to claim-
But they're obviously banannas.
Wu is the sh*t, true Hip-Hop is the people's music, and Cappadonna's just keepin' it real in that tradition-
I LOVE this record-
Buy two copies,
One for each hemisphere of your brain.

Average customer rating:

Awakening
Healer
Manufacturer: Burningsound Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000CA7UEW
Release Date: 2005-04-12

Tracks:

Awakening
Voices
Groovenopolis
Nightmare
Falling Whispers
Yailly
Rise Up
Far Away
Someone Like Me
Skin

Average customer rating:

Musical Synergy At Play
Levi Chen
A Perfect Blend
Excellent tranqulity from a master musician

Celtic Zen
Levi Chen , and Celtic Zen
Manufacturer: Yin Yang
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | New Age | Styles | Music

Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music
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Liquid Gardens

ASIN: B000005IGY
Release Date: 2000-06-24

Tracks:

The BEAUTY: PEACE
The BEAUTY: PEACE
Reunity
The Wind, the Wolf & the Wild
The Wind, the Wolf & the Wild
Eros, A Rose: Venus
Eros, A Rose: Venus
Suite: Birds of Fire
Suite: Birds of Fire
Baskali
She Moved Through the Aire
Animaginal I
Animaginal II
Animaginal III
Knot Zen
Melancholy's Passion
Difinity
Black Rock Concierto

Customer Reviews:

Musical Synergy At Play.......2003-11-25

There is a wonderful musical synergy at play between the nominal leader of the session Levi Chen, who plays guitar and gu zheng, a Chinese harp (often simultaneously,) Michael Masley, who is predominantly a hammer dulcimer player and who has adopted some novel techniques for "bowing" the strings, and Lisa Lynne Franco, a/k/a/ Lisa Lynne, who contributes her masterful Celtic harp along with some percussion.

As you may have discerned, the emphasis is on plucked and bowed instruments, not unlike a Renaissance consort, but the music sprawls over a landscape that is neither predominantly Celtic nor
Eastern. As accomplished as each player is, the finished product
is greater than the sum of the parts.

Don't let the title put you off; this is neither one of those "by the numbers" Hearts O' Space ripoffs, nor is it "easy listening" New Age. It all goes down quite nicely, but check out the instrumental repetory on the back cover, and realize all that you have been digging. The CD is audiophile quality and benefits from the use of headphones. Highly recommended!

Levi Chen.......2003-04-11

I have not yet recieved my CD therefore I can not rate it. Yet I can rate this site as poor because of the non-consistance of there mailing.

A Perfect Blend.......2001-11-07

of Celtic heart and Zen mantra. If you are a fan of Celtic music and want something simple and meditative to listen to while you work, study, sleep or even meditate, this is ideal. It's not a mellow as other meditation music, but I only say that as a Zen philosopher, not a Celtophile.

Excellent tranqulity from a master musician.......1999-07-01

I first encountered Levi Chen performing as a street musician in Hollywood...I can see that with this release, the easygoing Chen is still a master at filtering the Zen sounds into a melodic,powerful experience. I highly recommend this CD.

Average customer rating:

Meditation of my Soul
Levi Chen
Manufacturer: Yin Yang Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | New Age | Styles | Music
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Alhambra

ASIN: B000CAFA9E
Release Date: 2004-12-09

Average customer rating:

Great for massage, yoga, meditation,...or just relaxing.

Liquid Gardens
Levi Chen
Manufacturer: Yin Yang
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | New Age | Styles | Music

Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Alhambra
Celtic Zen

ASIN: B00000JWFO
Release Date: 1999-09-14

Tracks:

Innerlude
Essential
Jade
Tsunami (...And the Flood)
Leo Rising
Ascension (The Journey Is Home)
Meditation/Levitation
China
Lasiana
Anjo
Cathedral

Customer Reviews:

Great for massage, yoga, meditation,...or just relaxing........2001-02-16

I'm a massage therapist and I almost always play this CD during my massages. My clients (and me too!) enjoy the detached quality of the music...perfect for drifting away to a far away place. Just beautiful music.

Average customer rating:

The Yin and the Yang
Cappadonna
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

East Coast | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Gangsta & Hardcore | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00005AA0S
Release Date: 2007-01-16

Tracks:

Grits - Cappadonna,
Super Model - Cappadonna, Ghostface Killah
War Rats - Cappadonna
Bread of Life - Cappadonna, Killah Priest,
Love Is the Message - Cappadonna, Raekwon
We Know - Cappadonna, Da Brat, Jermaine Dupri
Shake Dat - Cappadonna,
Big Business - Cappadonna,
Revenge - Cappadonna, Timbo King
One Way 2 Zion - Cappadonna, Culture

Average customer rating:

Excellent!
som-mo acid soul from the Atlanta Underground
Sound and Maturity Beyond a first effort
Sound and Maturity Beyond a first effort
Very Phat Music: A Taste of the New

Venus and Mars
Seek
Manufacturer: Yin Yang Music Cafe
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Soul | R&B | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00000I7TZ
Release Date: 1999-02-02

Tracks:

Somedays
Like Breathing
Aimes La Vie
Lucipher's Wings
Venus and Mars
En Mi Vida
Before You
Mountains
Labor of Love
Interlude
Ask Yourself

Album Description

Futuristic Soul; Soulful Pop; Eclectic Soul

Customer Reviews:

Excellent!.......2000-07-06

I heard the group performing live in downtown Atlanta (June 1999). They have got to be the best group I have heard in a long time. I bought the CD right on the spot after the group finished their performance. I would recommend it to anyone!

som-mo acid soul from the Atlanta Underground.......2000-03-20

These guys have a sound thats blowing up the Atlanta under ground scene. Another Yin Yang Cafe' delight and it's about time Atlanta gets it's props for it's acid-funkjazz and urban soul scene. www.funkjazzkafe.com is one of the best tours you might see Seek on. I've seen them perform at Yin Yang and other spots around ATL. I don't think they nor the lead singer sounds anything like Nea or Brand New Heavies. But they both put out great music and I think all real music lovers would love this one.

Sound and Maturity Beyond a first effort.......1999-09-26

The sound and maturity is beyond a first effort of most groups. On Venus and Mars you will find "nice touches" including interludes which help bring a fresh mix to the flow of the CD.

Now to the music:

Track 1: "Some Days" A pleasant easy listening song. Its strengths come from the match between the simple lyrics and the accompanying guitar.

Track 2: "Breathing" A moderately paces track with plenty of sexual analogies done tastefully. The base cord, and the lead singers textured way of singing is this songs strength.

Track 3: Interlude done in French.

Track 4: "Luciphers Wings" One of my favorite tracks! There are so many nuances that make this song special I can't do it justice. Its strengths include the way the vocals are handled and, those nasty drums.

Track 5: "Venus and Mars" The title track. This song would probably get the most radio play. The lyrics include references and analogies between relationships and Venus and Mars.

Track 6: Interlude done in Spanish

Track 7: "Before You" The strengths are found with the solid keyboards and the over all sound. It's easy to listen to this song. It also puts you in the mind of LES NUBIANS.

Track 8: "Mountains": A kind of slow track. Maybe it will grow on me.

Track 9: "Labor of Love" One of my Favorites. Another songs you can put on and just listen and enjoy. It's an easy listening song with its strengths coming from its simplicity. The vocals are there, the percussion is handled correctly and the guitar towards the end is also great.

Track 10: Interlude done in French

Track 11: "Ask yourself" An up tempo song with a strong base guitar presents. Towards the end there is Isley Brothers style guitar.

I think that you will not be disappointed with your purchase.

Sound and Maturity Beyond a first effort.......1999-09-26

The sound and maturity is beyond a first effort of most groups. On Venus and Mars you will find "nice touches" including interludes which help bring a fresh mix to the flow of the CD.

Now to the music:

Track 1: "Some Days" A pleasant easy listening song. Its strengths come from the match between the simple lyrics and the accompanying guitar.

Track 2: "Breathing" A moderately paces track with plenty of sexual analogies done tastefully. The base cord, and the lead singers textured way of singing is this songs strength.

Track 3: Interlude done in French.

Track 5: "Venus and Mars" The title track. This song would probably get the most radio play. The lyrics include references and analogies between relationships and Venus and Mars.

Track 6: Interlude done in Spanish

Track 7: "Before You" The strengths are found with the solid keyboards and the over all sound. It's easy to listen to this song. It also puts you in the mind of LES NUBIANS.

Track 8: "Mountains": A kind of slow track. Maybe it will grow on me.

Track 10: Interlude done in French

Track 11: "Ask yourself" An up tempo song with a strong base guitar presents. Towards the end there is Isley Brothers style guitar.

I think that you will not be disappointed with your purchase.

Very Phat Music: A Taste of the New.......1999-06-18

I was exposed to this band while visiting friends in Atlanta. This CD has blown me away. I have been searching for a band to fill the void left by N'Dea Davenport leaving the BNH--Seek does that. There is a lushness in the grooves that really get you involved. Although the lead singer is not as strong as N'Dea she fits with the rest of the band like a glove. If you like anything remotely related to Acid Jazz you must buy this disk.

Average customer rating:

Yin Yang
Anna Fisher and Jawge Hughes
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000MZQ6KQ

Product Description

1 Song For My Father 2 I Can See Clearly Now (Oboe) 3 Yin Yang 4 Jamaica 5 At Home 6 Life In The Arena 7 I Can See Clearly Now (Vocal) 8 Jamaica Dub 9 Puedo Ver Claro 10 Contented 11 Hip Hop Hooray Oh! 12 I Can See Clearly Dub 13 Contented Dub

Pop Music:

Pop Music