Mark Farina

His eclectic down-tempo mix albums in the Mushroom Jazz series may have brought him national recognition, but any longtime Mark Farina fan knows that the San Fran by way of Chicago DJ can just as easily lay down a tight, up-tempo dancefloor-orientated mix. Seasons One represents the first such mix he released to the general public. Released in 1996 around the same time as the first Mushroom Jazz album, Seasons One never received the acclaim it deserved -- partly because Farina didn't have much name recognition at the time, and partly because Mushroom Jazz's unexpected level of success diverted potential listeners. But just because this album doesn't get mentioned or played as much as the Mushroom Jazz albums or the more well-known San Francisco Sessions mix doesn't mean it's not worth your time. Actually, it's one of Farina's better mixes, and that's mostly because he drops an uncharacteristically linear set. Nothing here departs too far from the trademark West Coast house sound that would become synonymous with Om Records by the end of the '90s. Every track here is up-tempo, and none depart from your standard house aesthetic. Furthermore, of the 12 tracks, half feature diva vocals, usually interspersed by instrumental tracks. It's this straightforward approach that makes Seasons One so easy to enjoy. If anything, it's too straightforward for its own good; this is partly the reason why it was so understandably overlooked upon its initial release. Yet, though it may be straightforward, the set features some really soulful moments, such as Kerri Chandler's "Two" and Sound Experience's "Find Love"; moments such as these not only allude to the late-'90s Om sound that would soon emerge, but also stand as proof that, even as a fledging DJ, Farina had an ear for first-rate deep house with a sun-shiny California vibe. ~ Jason Birchmeier, All Music Guide