Track Listing

1. So Far
2. Make Things Happen
3. Can't Get Through
4. Mesmerized
5. Those Things
6. Sometime
7. Get Down
8. Let Me Be
9. Fire
10. Shake it Up
11. Body Never Lies
12. Side to Side
13. Giving it All

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #131928 in Music
• Released on: 2007-03-20
• Number of discs: 1

Album Description
Those Things, the anticipated sophomore artist album by electronic music's soulful maestro Miguel Migs...The long-awaited follow up to the internationally acclaimed `Colorful You'( released in 2003 on Astralwerks/ Naked Music. Those Things finds Migs meandering into the old school funk and soul side of the dance music spectrum focusing on his trademark high caliber production and tasteful quality song writing that he is best known for. Drawing inspiration from his diverse musical taste and background, Miguel serves up a tasty blend of 13 original songs featuring an all star line up of special guest vocalists, including Reggae legend Junior Reid, Sadat X from Brand Nubian Fame, LT, Lisa Shaw, Tim Fuller, and Fred Ross from Sly and the Family Stone. The result is an album that takes you on a ride through a unique listening experience crossing the boundaries of dance music with a sound that Miguel has seamlessly blended together.

Amazon.com
Sun-kissed house grooves are once again the order of the day on Those Things, the second solo album from Bay Area DJ/producer Miguel Migs. In contrast to 2002's Colorful You, however, this go-round has Migs taking his blissed-out beats in a more organic direction by throwing a variety of live instruments into the mix. On the title track, for instance, house queen Lisa Shaw's vocals bounce atop a percolating bassline that juggles multiple synths, rhythmic funk guitar, an overdriven guitar solo, and vocal samples. Other tracks are laced with trumpet, sax, and congas. For the most part, this eclectic approach bears fruit by giving Migs a deeper bag of tricks to use in working his deep house magic: "So Far" and "Mesmerized," which both feature the superb vocals of LT (a.k.a. Aya) have more than enough of that bubbly warmth that put Naked Music on the map, while more novel tunes like "Shake It Up"-–where Brand Nubian's Sadat X tells the tale of a night out with some cliché but more playfulness-–are unexpectedly beguiling. Migs, widely known for his skills in the studio, has hit a new a high with Those Things, and even dance-music skeptics will find this organic flavor of house difficult to resist. --Brent Kallmer

Customer Reviews

It only gets 4 stars because of Aya (LT) and Lisa Shaw


I am a Miguel Migs fan, which is why I didn't hesitate to buy his latest cd, "Those Things." But as a deep house head to another deep house head, I would be doing you a great disservice if I didn't warn you that if you're looking to buy this disc for that really deep house vibe done the way only Migs can do it, you may want to reconsider ... or you may definitely want to grab a copy off the used table.

You'll find that soulful but airy vibe on tracks by Aya on the "So Far" and "Mesmerized." ("Mesmerized" gets played at least twice if not more when I do play it.) And you'll find some playfulness and sexiness on tracks such as "Shake It Up" and "Side 2 Side." Lisa Shaw's divine on the danceable but smooth "Side 2 Side." Aya also delights on "Giving it All" and if you're into reggae, you'll sway to "Fire."

My main problem with this cd, though, is its erratic feel that never seems to leave from beginning to end. I don't know what to expect when the next track starts, but as soon as I realize my vibe from the previous track is ruined by that next track, I search for another song to get it back, know what I mean? I hate skipping around on a cd. That's usually not a good sign.

There's no continuity between the tracks, and that left me a disappointed listener. For example, after "So Far" sets a great tone, "Make Things Happen" comes on with it's disco 80s-sounding track, leaving me wondering what the heck happened to the "vibe." Lisa Shaw's vocals do nothing to make me feel better about this abrupt change. It just feels like we're being teased throughout the whole cd, and that's an issue for me. Not used to that from tha Migster.

After all of that, I still think this slick-sounding (sometimes too slick) disc is worth adding to your collection. Out of 13 songs on the cd, I like at least six. And it's not bad party background music. The disjointed sound of the overall cd won't make the party skip, but it will make keen deep house heads wonder what was really up with Migs with this cd. We just know better and we've heard better. I'll stay tuned to see what Migs does next. I hope it's something better than "Those Things."

If you're new to Migs, definitely don't pick this cd up as an introduction. Instead, get "Nude Tempo," "Nude Dimensions I," "24th Street Sounds," or for some real deep house, pick up his "NiteLife 3" disc. That disc alone is an experience in itself. After you hear these, I promise you'll wonder why you ever considered "Those Things."

Pure Quality!!!
Miguel finally drops his sophomore artist album, & it's everything you'd expect from Migs. To the other 2 Amazonians giving this a poor review, "What were you expecting"? This is Miguel Migs at his finest, everything about this album oozes quality. There are lots & lots of vocals here, but they're all easy on the ears; not some big obnoxious diva blasting your eardrums to bits. If you enjoyed Miguel's last album, you'll love this one. If you're looking for more of his older sound check out "NRK:10", it's 3 discs of record label NRK's greatest tracks & all full unmixed 12' mixes.

kool not just as inspiring and discoed
cool album....but lacks the coolness and nightclubbing appeal of songs such as take me to paris,let this go and brand new day.........he is the best house dj around so couldnt he get more soulful lounge tracks???