Fog, The – Been A Long Time Album Review
If you’re into house music with that garage-y twist, Been A Long Time by Fog, The is one of those albums that kinda sneaks up on you. Released way back in ‘93 (yeah, I’m talking flannel shirts and cassette tapes), this gem came out under Columbia Records and Miami Soul. And let me tell ya, it’s got vibes for days. Produced by Frank Gonzalez and written by R. Falcon, it’s clear these guys were aiming straight for the dancefloor—and they nailed it.
Now, before we dive too deep, here’s the deal: the album is basically seven remixes of the same track, “Been A Long Time.” At first glance, you might think, “Wait… isn’t that just lazy?” But nah, not at all. Each mix brings its own flavor, like ordering tacos but getting a different sauce with every bite. You’re never bored because each version flips the vibe just enough to keep things fresh.
Two tracks really stuck with me. First off, there’s “Been A Long Time (Gio’s Doped Mix).” This one? Pure energy. It’s got this bouncy bassline that feels like your shoes are gonna start tapping whether you want ‘em to or not. There's something about how smooth Gio keeps it—like he knew exactly when to pull back and let the groove breathe. It’s perfect if you need a pick-me-up after a long day or just wanna feel like you're walking through Miami in the early '90s.
Then there’s “Been A Long Time (Habana Mix).” Oh man, this one hits different. It’s got this tropical, laid-back vibe that makes you wanna grab a drink and chill. The percussion has this shaker-like rhythm, almost like someone’s shaking maracas right next to your ear. Not annoying though—it’s more like, “Hey, come join the party!” If Gio’s mix is the life of the party, Habana Mix is the cool cousin lounging outside with a cigar, watching everyone else go nuts.
Carlos Santos did the engineering on this thing, and honestly? He deserves props. Everything sounds crisp without being overdone. Like, you can hear the little details—the hi-hats shimmering, the bass thumping just right—but it doesn’t feel like it’s trying too hard. That balance is rare, especially for an album from ‘93.
So yeah, Been A Long Time might not be some groundbreaking masterpiece that changes your life forever, but it’s solid as heck. It reminds me of simpler times, when music didn’t have to scream for attention—it could just exist and still make you move. Honestly, listening to this album feels like finding an old mixtape in your car’s glove compartment. You forgot it was even there, but once you press play, it’s like, “Oh yeah, THIS.”
And hey, fun fact: Riccione Vibe Mix sounds like what would happen if Italian espresso machines made beats. Weird, right? But also kinda genius.
Final thought: If you’re into house music—or even if you’re not—this album’s worth a spin. Just don’t blame me if you end up dancing alone in your kitchen.
