|
The 18 tracks of CD1 (78:21) begin with a Ninja Tune restrospective intro,
Steinski's "The Xen to One Ratio" (1:03) then proceed into a rap-oriented songlist which I feel unqualified to evaluate, but must admit these pieces present impressive rhymes, vibrant attitudes and some upbeat messages (i.e. no negative-stereotypical cop-killin', ho'-slappin' gangsta-isms). Instrumental tracks include
The Irresistible Force's dreamy, drummy "Nepalese Mix" (5:17), Coldcut's sample-infested beat-fest of "Give It Up".
Following the brief cut-n-paste-overload "medley" of "The Joy of X (Spotters Delight)" (1:44), CD2's (77:25) 14 selections launch into some masterly cross-genre-pollenization projects... As if the '70s bin in some forgotten vinyl shop exploded, Clifford Gilberto's "The 10th Victim" sparkles as retroactive funk and spunk meets '90s beats... Groovy, man!
Extracting different styles from the same era, the more obtuse swagger of
"Soul Pride" by Neptune struts on stand-up bass, harp plucks, electronic streams and all-over-the-place percussion, then shifts to an emphasis on e-keyboarding.
Expect clattering carnivalia, surging organ riffs and tropical heat from
Up, Bustle and Out's spirited "Los Locos Cubanos". Peppered with spattering drum hits, a hypnotic rhumba and soulful xylophonics emerges as if from arising from long-buried 33-rpms, in Amon Tobin's "Down & to the Left". With plenty of smokey beatnik accouterments, DJ Food (featuring Ken Nordine) gets into the surreal hipster-narrative of "The Ageing Young Rebel" (8:28). Also hauling crossbreed gems out of the something-new-something-old mine are tracks such as Chris Bowden's stand-up-bass-heavy "Original Sin",
Clifford Gilberto's vinyl-popping keys-and-horns of "Restless", Flanger's drum-scatting freejam "Quicksilver Loom",
Funky Porcini's lush-and-funky wash of "Big Sea",
Arc's brass-piano-vocal-beat blend "Arcane".
With 15 more-varied tunes, CD3 (77:48) (subtitled "Missed, Flipped & Skipped") is apparently an odds-and-ends gathering... "Twice the First Time" is an intriguingly enigmatic hip-hop/spiritual/rap/solo violin hybrid from Saul Williams.
Coldcut's shiny blips'n'beats of "More Beats and Pieces" sounds like a peppy computerdream. Sexy, dubby, and hazy "Dubble (Organ Swell)" (gotta love that double-entendre!) is a warm offering from
Funky Porcini.
Kid Koala's aptly-titled (and live) "Drunk Trumpet" is an old-timey amateur-hour jazz-combo kinda thing, etched with twitchy electronic riffing.
The frenetic Squarepusher mix of East Flatbush Project's "Tried by 12" (2:56) features fast, flangey vocals and rippling e-waves. Droning brass energies and downtempo piano chords are backed by smooth beats in the Fourtet remix of The Cinematic Orchestra's "Channel 1 Suite" (7:36).
|
