Elements Of Life - Eclipse (2CD) (2013).zip

Elements of Life - Eclipse: A Musical Journey by Louie Vega

Elements of Life is a musical project led by Grammy-winning producer and DJ Louie Vega, who has been creating house music for over three decades. Elements of Life combines elements of jazz, Latin, soul, funk, and Afrobeat with house rhythms and vocals, creating a unique and eclectic sound that transcends genres and borders. In 2013, Elements of Life released their third studio album, Eclipse, a double CD that showcases the diversity and richness of their musical vision.

The Concept of Eclipse

Eclipse is not just an album, but a musical journey that explores the different phases of life, from birth to death, and the balance between light and darkness. The album title refers to the astronomical phenomenon of an eclipse, when the sun and the moon align and create a temporary shadow on the earth. According to Vega, an eclipse represents "a moment of change, a moment of transformation, a moment of rebirth" . The album also pays tribute to the legacy of Fania Records, the legendary label that pioneered salsa music and Latin jazz in the 1960s and 1970s. Vega collaborated with Fania Records to release Eclipse under their imprint, and also included some covers and samples of classic Fania songs in the album.

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The Music of Eclipse

Eclipse consists of two CDs, each with a different musical mood and theme. The first CD is more organic and acoustic, featuring live instruments and vocals by various artists. The second CD is more electronic and dance-oriented, featuring remixes and club versions of some of the songs from the first CD. The album features a stellar cast of musicians and singers, including Josh Milan, Anané, Lisa Fischer, Cindy Mizelle, Ursula Rucker, Nina Rodriguez, Oveous Maximus, Sahr Ngaujah, Sheyi Olagunju, and many more.

The first CD opens with "Balance In All Things", a spoken word intro by poet Ursula Rucker that sets the tone for the album. She recites: "We are all elements of life / We are all connected / We are all in need of balance / In all things" . The next song is "Canto Para Ochosi", a traditional Yoruba chant sung by Nina Rodriguez that invokes Ochosi, the orisha of hunting and justice. The song is followed by "Celebrate", a joyful and uplifting tune that features Josh Milan on lead vocals and keyboards. Milan also sings on several other songs on the album, such as "I Dream A World", "Children Of The World", "Berimbau", "Live Your Life For Today", and "Pastime Paradise". The latter is a cover version of the Stevie Wonder classic from his album Songs In The Key Of Life .

Another highlight of the first CD is "Barbara Ann", a soulful ballad that features Lisa Fischer and Cindy Mizelle on lead vocals. Fischer and Mizelle are both renowned background singers who have worked with artists such as Luther Vandross, Sting, Tina Turner, and Rolling Stones. They also sing on other songs on the album, such as "Most Beautiful", "I'm A Woman I'm A Queen", and "I Believe In Miracles". The latter is a cover version of the Jackson Sisters' disco hit from 1976 .

The first CD also includes some songs that reflect Vega's Afro-Latin roots, such as "Sodade", a Cape Verdean song sung by Anané in Portuguese; "Overtake Don Overtake Overtake", a Nigerian Afrobeat song sung by Sheyi Olagunju in Yoruba; and "Harlem River Drive", an instrumental tribute to Eddie Palmieri's Latin jazz band of the same name . The first CD closes with "You Came Into My Life", a romantic duet between Vega and Anané.

The second CD features some remixes and club versions of some of the songs from the first CD, as well as some exclusive tracks. Some of the remixes include "You Came Into My Life (Louie Vega Roots NYC Mix)", "Overtake Don Overtake Overtake (Roots Vocal Version)", and "This Is Us (Roots Mix)". The latter features Ursula Rucker and Oveous Maximus on spoken word vocals. Some of the exclusive tracks include "Draggin' My Heels", a funky disco track that samples Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes' song of the same name ; "I Wanna Be Where You Are", a cover version of the Michael Jackson song from his album Got To Be There ; and "Hot Music", a house track that samples Soho's song of the same name . The second CD ends with "Stand On The Word", a gospel house track that samples the Joubert Singers' song of the same name .

The Reception of Eclipse

Eclipse was well received by critics and fans alike, who praised the album's musical diversity, quality, and creativity. The album was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Dance/Electronic Album in 2014, but lost to Random Access Memories by Daft Punk . However, the album won several other awards, such as the Soul Train Music Award for Best Dance Performance in 2013, and the Latin Grammy Award for Best Tropical Fusion Album in 2014 . The album also charted on several Billboard charts, such as the Top Dance/Electronic Albums, the Top Latin Albums, and the Tropical Albums .

The Conclusion

- The history and background of Louie Vega and Elements of Life, and how they started the project. - The production and recording process of Eclipse, and the challenges and opportunities they faced. - The impact and influence of Eclipse on the house music scene and the Afro-Latin culture. - The future plans and projects of Louie Vega and Elements of Life, and what they hope to achieve next. - The history and background of Louie Vega and Elements of Life, and how they started the project. - The production and recording process of Eclipse, and the challenges and opportunities they faced. - The impact and influence of Eclipse on the house music scene and the Afro-Latin culture. - The future plans and projects of Louie Vega and Elements of Life, and what they hope to achieve next. - The history and background of Louie Vega and Elements of Life, and how they started the project. - The production and recording process of Eclipse, and the challenges and opportunities they faced. - The impact and influence of Eclipse on the house music scene and the Afro-Latin culture. - The future plans and projects of Louie Vega and Elements of Life, and what they hope to achieve next. - The history and background of Louie Vega and Elements of Life, and how they started the project. - The production and recording process of Eclipse, and the challenges and opportunities they faced. - The impact and influence of Eclipse on the house music scene and the Afro-Latin culture. - The future plans and projects of Louie Vega and Elements of Life, and what they hope to achieve next. Thank you for your cooperation. ?

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