After the sterling presentation provided us by the original Potion: Relaxin’ With Final Fantasy, I truly did not expect a sequel. It seemed to be one of those one-shot deals, a collection of timeless works in one package. You can imagine my surprise, then, when I noticed the sequel, Potion 2, while I was walking through my local Kinokuniya.
Unlike the first, however, Potion 2 includes vocal songs as well, a departure from the original’s easy listening, instrumental-only presentation. Still, this is a great compilation. With tracks from Love Will Grow, Pray, Dear Friends, and Celtic Moon, and the various Piano Collections, you’ll definitely still be able to relax to these tunes.
Among my favorites are Fisherman’s Horizon from Piano Collections VIII, Into the Darkness from Celtic Moon, and the excellent Acoustic Guitar Version of Eyes on Me, the Bonus track for this album. Naganori Sakakibara’s serenade in Eyes on Me is probably one of the most laid back things ever to come out of Square.
All in all, I highly recommend this CD if you liked the original Potion or if you missed it and are just looking for a collection of music you can end the day to. Run the hot water and get the bubble bath, it’s gonna be a relaxin’ evening.
