Designed to be part of an ongoing series of chill-out albums built around urban motifs called the Metropolis Series,
Chill Out in the City ultimately proves successful as a nonstop mix of downtempo electronica with a trip-hop/lounge/acid jazz feel.
Sandy Solomon's mix doesn't feature extraordinary mixing, but it's somewhat understood that downtempo music never mixes too well, particularly a set of records this eclectic. Some of the featured producers include
Heights of Abraham,
Baby Mammoth,
Tetris,
Jaffa,
Org Lounge, and
Mo Horizons, among others. The tracks come from a handful of labels, with Pork Recordings, Stereo Deluxe Records, and Water Music all represented multiple times on this 12-track mix. There are a few moments such as
Org Lounge's "French Horns" where drum'n'bass rhythms rise to the surface. Mostly, though, the music moves at a snail's pace and is heavy on jazzy sounds like horns, keys, and snares. Definitely a laid-back mix. Too bad it's not more exciting or interesting. It's quite nondescript, actually, and, in that respect, is fairly lackluster. Definitely intended for peripheral or background listening.