Deep Forest

The band describes themselves as not a band. "Deep Forest" is a project, according to its creators. Therefore, the album is a stand-alone work, except that it enjoyed such an unpredicted success that it spawned a series of projects.

I first bought this album as an import in the early 90's. "Sweet Lullaby" had been getting some pretty frequent radio play on the San Francisco alternative rock stations, and it was simply intriguing. Nobody had ever heard voices like this. Mix in ambient jungle sounds. Synthetic beat. What a combination? Sound strange? It's not that different from what we hear today from Fatboy Slim and Moby, except of course with Pygmies. I don't think many have dared to replicate it.

Now, it's become a near-desert island CD for me. I've memorized the Pygmy chants. I've lost several copies of it--ex girlfriends, auto-thefts, etc. . . Always, I replace it. That's a pretty strong recommendation.

I've heard Deep Forest collaborations with Enigma, and Peter Gabriel, which are works of merit. Frankly, I think that this is still their most ingenious work.


Into Another World   October 8, 2005
Diane Kerner (Woodinville, WA)
7 out of 8 found this review helpful

This music speaks a language that is new to our ears, yet familiar in a way that can't be named. The first time I heard it was in a shop in Santa Barbara, CA over a decade ago. I immediately went up to the counter, asked what was playing, and purchase it. Years later, one of these songs would turn up as the theme to the reality TV show, Survivor.

If I go too long without listening to this CD, I am drawn back to it like a missing link.


Global music mix-Geniuses   October 1, 2004
Francis Tshabalala (Cincinnati, Ohio United States)
6 out of 7 found this review helpful

This is the best cultural mix album I have ever heard. Simple lyrics and sounds are cleverly mixed with sophisticated musical instruments to create a musical product that just blows the mind. If you are a genuine music lover, you do not have to understand the language-you just feel the human emotion in the music...which is universal and therefore a common language across cultures. I have all of Deep Forest's albums but this album is definately the best-so far. I know Deep Forest has been criticized by others for using "unathorized" material. I beg to differ. There is no such thing in a collective society such as the one the forest pygmies have-"what belongs to me belongs to all of us." They would have been offended if they had been offered monetary rewards. Just by being recorded, published and heard all over the world is enough reward for these simple and wonderful people. Some things just cannot be measured in dollars and cents. I am sure the pygmies themselves would agree. Even if this is not music from the forest...it could have been from mars, or anywhere in the universe...I still love it. And I am glad Deep Forest has a good ear for recognizing good music, the creativity and motivation to do something about it...and most of all, to bring it to the attention of the world. They should be encouraged rather than be discouraged by bad press. Love you DF!Keep up the excellent work.


Techno Bell   December 6, 2005
Derek Remiasz (Chicago)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

I first heard Deep Forest back when i was in high school, working at Taco Bell. We listened to Muzak's "Hitline" satellite program there and they used to play track #1- "Deep Forest", all the time. I was fascinated by that song....I wasn't sure if it was supposed to be techno, dance, ambient, or whatever. I wasn't even sure what language they were singing in. It took me a while to track down the artist and CD and 11 years later I am *still* listening to it. Marta's Song from Boheme also rocks....



Really marvelous   October 22, 2003
Mikey (Maine)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

This debut album from the African New Age Dance group Deep FOrest is one of my favorite New Age CDs of all time. In many ways, it stands out from many other albums that use African sounds. This CD in particular uses voices from the Pygmy and other isolated African tribes and blends them into dance music with New Age soul thrown to create a truly amazing experience like nothing before. "Sweet Lullaby" is a very good song but other tracks on here are better. I really like the last song on this CD. So uplifting and joyous. Get this album. It's worth it.