Green Tea Vol.1 (Flavoured Atmosphere)

"Tea" and "atmosphere" are apt qualifiers, as Blue Flame's Flavored Atmosphere is all about the electronica cream and sugar. In-house DJ Red Buddha mixes the label's own artists (Jazzamor; crossover smooth jazz guy Lenny MacDowell), as well as downtempo enthusiasts of various note for a bendy chill shoestring coated in worldly plastic sheeting. Foundland's "Everybody's Neighbour" is a nice ambient-flecked opener, setting up similar sounds from No Noise (jazzier) and Eitetsu Hayashi (pan-Asian). Bazille Noir's "Senor Sanchez" recasts bossa nova in bubbly beat form, while "Remember Tomorrow" from Mo' Horizons brings some Arabic influence into the mix. While they're nice enough, none of these tracks makes much of an impression. But that also means the title Flavored Atmosphere isn't a lie. This tea set won't get you dancing, and isn't expressive enough to hold direct attention. But it does have a strong background aroma. ~ Johnny Loftus|