Album Notes

The musical work of ZEN-MEN has been audible work since 1995. Buddha Bar, Café abstrait, SpaceNight, Klassik Lounge, Klassik Radio; productions for and with DJ Jondal, Porsche Design; special productions for ligne roset, Life Ball, …
„2512-Christmas“ was created after many requests for a „slightly different“ Christmas album. ZEN-MEN carefully combined a harmonic selection of traditional German and international melodies. The new instrumental versions sometimes keep their traditional origin secret for a while… The high quality approach of ZEN-MEN productions brings in this album a professional, female, French Sax player, a studio guitarist from London and more fine audio ingredients. Musical relaxation in soundscapes of Lounge, Jazz, Ambient and Chillout – Balm for the Soul.

More information and inspiration at: www.ZEN-MEN.de

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review at http://christmasreviews.com/wzenmen2.shtml

"Here's something fun. All the way from Germany, the über-talented Zen-Men deliver holiday electronica on 2512--Christmas that is smooth and scintillating. This synthesized mood music is cool, clean and contemporary, and it nicely walks the line between jazz and new age.

The 11 instrumental tracks include three German numbers. I particularly liked Kling, Glöckchen, klingelingeling. Although I speak no German (French is my game), I strongly suspect that the tune is all about bells, and it's a memorable, hand-clappin' presentation. The album's centerpiece is the extended (almost 14 minutes!) version of Silent Night/Stille Nacht, which includes the soulful sax wail of Frenchwoman Gaby Schenke. This piece is the perfect close to the album, which overall provides 56 minutes of chill-out time on an international scale. It should be noted that a shorter version of Silent Night/Stille Nacht also opens the album; I always enjoy it when artists "bookend" an offering in this fashion.

The inclusion of Schenke's excellent sax on four cuts warmly enriches this contemporary take on holiday favorites. With each number averaging over four minutes, the release bursts with nicely developed stories of high-tech Christmas. This music would provide excellent ambient holiday background filler for any seasonal event, and it's very easy on the ears while doing that last-minute wrapping.

My thumb's up for Zen-Men's 2512-Christmas. If you like relaxing instrumental music with an electronic edge that is totally smooth and accessible, this is a great choice for you.

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2007)"