Reviews (7)

Moceanless
I am perturbed: out of the nine entities of electronica I once held so dear, all but one are either crashed and burned or spiraling in that direction. Most disturbing is Orbital, who released a completely extraneous best-of compilation on the heels of a mediocre LP, the kiss of death. Spring Heel Jack took a hard right into navel-gazing jazz two years ago and shows no signs of getting back on the jungle track. Rinôçérôse's sophomore album was a toothless wad of fluff, not only failing in its aim to capture a wider audience but alienating the group's core fans in the attempt. Freaky Chakra, after laying low for six years, has a new album, but only on vinyl. Aphex Twin remains prolific (if self-referential), but as always his demented sense of humor tends to compromise his listenability. BT's latest is a big pile of prefab poo. And I don't even want to talk about DJ Shadow.

Then there's Mocean Worker, whose website hasn't been updated since September of 2000, when Aural & Hearty came out, for reasons somewhat obvious when you listen to the album. I immediately disliked A&H when it first came out, but after reading all the glowing reviews here I decided to give it a second chance and picked up a used copy. Some other reviewers here interpret A&H's sound as a self-conscious parody of the crossover attempts of Moby and Fatboy Slim, but after having listened to it closely I would argue that the album is nothing more than just such a crossover attempt, and an inferior one at that. Overall it reminds me of Fantastic Plastic Machine's Beautiful: pockets of inspired brilliance surrounded by track after track of sheer padding.

Like Beautiful, A&H starts with a completely unnecessary throwaway track (even at 28 seconds, it goes on way too long), and it's a mixed bag from there. "Hey Baby" is a catchy little number, but with it Dorn immediately shoots himself in both feet: it's as fluffy as cotton candy, melting in the mouth and leaving nothing more substantial behind than a few grains of sugar, sure to disappoint the fans who loved the dark complexity of "Rene M." and "Son of Slam", while at the same time diverging too far from his customary sound to set any kind of tone for the rest of the album. Sure enough, on track 03 there's more trouble: "Air Suspension" is muffled and clumsy, too much beat and not enough bass, and has nowhere near the finesse to justify dragging on for nearly six minutes. Also, the use of Dorn's trademark analogue feedback noises, the smooth driving wheel of Mixed Emotional Features, is cumbersome and obnoxious here. Even then, this might have been a decent track, but the breathy, unintelligible vocal by Bono (did he not want to be recognized?) turns me off every time.

Things pick up a little with "Tres Tres Chic," which is almost as fun as Dorn probably thought it was going to be when he first conceived of it. "Intothinair," the longest track, is all right; it reminds me of a faster version of Slim's "Next to Nothing." Again, though, the feedback bass comes off as a square peg crammed into a round hole. Hey Adam, do you want to cross over or not? The exact same sample shows up to haunt the otherwise porno-funky "Thick Interlude". "Cha Cha Cha" starts with excessively hard tub-thumper beats, and then collapses under the feedback effect, which cuts through its kitschy samples like a buzzsaw. "Velvet Black Sky" is an altogether smoother affair, but it just makes me want to listen to the far superior "Counts, Dukes, & Strays". "Astroglide" is a decent enough excursion into jazzy d'n'b, one with a more toned-down feedback effect, but it also sounds like Dorn forgot he'd already included "Intothinair" and tried to make it over again. In "Waiting for Verdeaux," the feedback sounds tired by this time but Adam works it into the song's structure enough to almost pull it off. "Step" is awful from start to finish--there's no progression at all--and the only reason I can imagine for Dorn including it was that he had four minutes to fill and absolutely nothing else to fill it with. "Lighten Up Again" ends the album on a completely forgettable note.

The more I listen to this album, the more I think that, not too long into production, Dorn realized what a total mess he had on his hands, got irrevocably frustrated and depressed, and slapped things together just enough to make Palm Pictures happy and satisfy his contract, giving up all aspiration of living up to his usual amazing standards. "I never had such fun in all my life," the sample says at the end of "Boba Fett"--unnecessarily, since it's perfectly obvious that Dorn had all kinds of fun crafting each track on MEF. And it's equally evident that he had no such fun with A&H. If you're totally nuts about the Worker, I suppose A&H is worth a look, but it's depressing to think that the genius behind "Times of Danger" and "Floating" would end his career on such a mediocre note, not to mention one which is a clumsy and transparent attempt to get to a place he had no business being. Sometimes the crossover thing works--see BT's highly underrated Motion in Still Life--but mostly it's a recipe for disaster.

And the one artist who's staying true? Luke Vibert--YosepH is the most solid chunk of electronica I've picked up since, well, Musipal. He, plus newcomers Sasha, Royksopp, Weekender, and the E-Z Rollers are my only hope for the future.

Woohoo!
You know that thing - Dance like no one is watching.... Well, with this album you could care less whos watching - because they're probably dancing too! My husband is Mr Punk Rock. He can't stand my Techno or Dance Music. But he does like this album. He actually dances around the house with our 6 month old son singin - HEY BABY. This has replaced all of my "Old Faithful" albums, and is now the album I turn to when I need something fun. The mixing musical style on this album is clean. The vocals, unlike some other dance music, are understandable and singable (which just makes the album more fun.) And there are no words for the funky butt shakin' beats that are on this album. Way to go! WOOHOO!

10 Stars (out of 5)!
Without a doubt, the most fun you can have with your clothes on (of course, that doesn't have to stop you from ripping them off). By track three, they may spontaneously fall to your feet anyway.

Far more than a mere rumpshaker, Aural & Hearty is a deep and complex listening experience laden with hooks and brilliantly edited. The record flows, winds and ultimately deposits the listener gently on the side of the road before veering madly out of sight and sound. Don't let the inevitable comparisons to Fatboy influence you. This is twice the fun with half the pretense!

Do you love your Mocean Worker?
This is definitely NOT the album I was expecting from Adam Dorn, aka Mocean Worker...and probably not the album most of his fans were expecting, either. Who could imagine that the son of 32 Jazz head Joel Dorn and junglist extraordinaire would ever produce...a party album? What a bold step he has taken, because when you change your musical style, you run the risk of alienating your fans. The same goes for several other prolific artists, including Photek and Red Snapper, who along with Dorn are helping prove that electronic musicians cannot be defined by one musical style. Clearly, they are succeeding. Dorn had already overcome his sophomore jinx, as 'Mixed Emotional Features' was clearly a smooth and natural progression from 'Home Movies from the Brainforest'. 'Aural and Hearty' seemingly abandons those advances...or does it? Dorn is an artist who has the rare ability to not take himself too seriously, a trait often lacking in junglists and drum n' bassists alike. Most of the tracks are in the house vein, but Dorn throws in some lounge and breakbeat and some trademark Mocean Worker samples, and the whole thing comes off sounding like a cheesy, warped stew of Fatboy Slim's newer material and Basement Jaxx's old...but more effective overall. (One thing though: I would love to know the story behind Adam meeting Bono.) Dorn manages to simultaneously celebrate and mock the current state of electronic dance in general. I like it when an artist can laugh at himself, don't you? Now, the burning questions: Should 'Aural and Hearty' have been released under a different alias? Possibly, although the moniker "Mocean Worker" still applies to this type of music. Will this release cause Dorn the loss of some fans? Most likely. Does it matter? Not really, as this is an album which will appeal to both the underground and commercial markets, and will undoubtedly garner the attention of new admirers and renewed respect from old. It remains to be seen whether or not Dorn will return to his roots; I for one am hoping that Dorn will combine his jungle sensibilities with this new sound, and inject some life into a genre that is oft-viewed as increasingly stale. Heartily recommended.

I love this album
I love the fact that Mocean Worker has completely changed directions. This was a bit of a surprise but I really like it. Now Im not going to know what to expect when I by one of his records, I kinda like that. He's a real artist after all! Cheers Mr. Worker ... Read more

Amazon.com

What do you do if you're musically inclined in the strip-malled hell of Orlando, Florida? Since you're not exactly in a hotbed for good music, you've really no other choice than to spin your own. So goes the story of DJ Icey, one of the rave generation's most revered spin doctors. He sprang up in the early '90s, when every club kid wanted to hear, make, and buy old-school breaks. Icey was one of the few who actually followed through on this desire, which led to Mixmag's crowning him the King of Funky Breaks in 1998. Now that he's started his own record label (Zone Records), played at countless warehouse parties, and produced many of his own tracks and remixes, Icey proudly releases his Essential Mix disc. Following in the footsteps Fatboy Slim, Pete Tong, and Paul Oakenfold, Icey's contribution to the Essential Series is a cost-efficient and hassle-free way to bring a world-renowned DJ-producer into your own living room. Icey assembled an A-list cast of contributors for this mix: Orbital, Tsunami One, Sabres of Paradise, David Holmes, and Timo Maas all make appearances, as does Icey himself. Not bad for a self-made kiddie-rave DJ. --Courtney Reimer ... Read more

Reviews (18)

Another hit from the god of electro breaks.
Every album that DJ Icey releases always takes me by suprise - he keeps improving his skills while staying true to the funky breaks and electro beats that have made him so well known. In this appropriately named Essential Mix he throws in his own music along with other electro beat DJs and even threw in some progressive house to sweeten the mix. Overall this is a fast-paced funky mix that is essential to your DJ Icey/electro break collection. I would recommend this album to anyone new to this style of techno or hardcore fans - it deserves more than five stars.

He did it again !!!!!
This mix is probably one of the best breaks cd's i have heard this year. Icey has plenty of Cd's out there but only 3 are available at common stores. Funky breaks,Generate and essential mix are available everywhere and Break to the Beat 1+2,Continouus play, Mixed and Selection you get at DJ stores. This Cd is probably leading the top with Selection and Funky Breaks. If you are an Icey fan this record is a must: It leads you from smooth icey breaks to fat banging beats you only heard him spinning on south florida raves so far. I would even say this Cd is for everybody you likes electronic music just because for the awesome track selection and the variety. If you need help finding rare icey or breaks cd's let me know: mschaerf@hotmail.com.

One of the best CD's in my collection
Grrrreat techno ! This is by far the best Icey album out there,and gives "electro breaks"a new meaning by putting in some elements of house in the mix.This is one I highly recommend,and let the whole cd play you wont be dissapointed!

Essential Mix an Appropriate Name
...I absolutely love it!! There is a good variety of sounds and styles all blended into one nice long flowing groove. It's techno. It's dance. It's rave. It's house. It's funky. It's hard to stand still. (okay, so I'm not a professional music critic; but I am a music lover from WAY back!) The most notable tracks are "Purple" (infectious and upbeat), "Party Going On" (semi-euro housy Amsterdam meets Miami kind of thing), "Pumpin" (an interesting experience which eventually bursts into extreme dancefloor exhaultation at the 2 1/2 minute mark), and my favorite "Everyday" (excuse me, but is that a Diva in my living room? well then light the strobe and crank up the volume!!). Overall I would say it is an excellent CD and it satisfies the musical gypsy in me. I recommend it highly.

Essential Mix an Appropriate Name
One rainy afternoon I was surfing on Amazon and this CD came up as a recommended CD. So I bought it. A few days later I slipped it into my player and from the very first song I became one of the "converted". Where has this gem been hiding? I absolutely love it!! There is a good variety of sounds and styles all blended into one nice long flowing groove. It's techno. It's dance. It's rave. It's house. It's funky. It's hard to stand still. (okay, so I'm not a professional music critic; but I am a music lover from WAY back!) The most notable tracks are "Purple" (infectious and upbeat), "Party Going On" (semi-euro housy Amsterdam meets Miami kind of thing), "Pumpin" (an interesting experience which eventually bursts into extreme dancefloor exhaultation at the 2 1/2 minute mark), and my favorite "Everyday" (excuse me, but is that a Diva in my living room? well then light the strobe and crank up the volume!!). Overall I would say it is an excellent CD and it satisfies the musical gypsy in me. I recommend it highly. ... Read more

Amazon.com

On a crystal clear English summer's evening in 2001, Norman Cook played a celebrated DJ set in front of an estimated 30,000 loved-up Brightonians, generating two hours of typically hedonistic party mayhem. It's these two hours--or, at least, an edited version of them--that make up Cook's first mix album in ages and a perfect souvenir of the night now known as "Normstock." Soundwise, the album sees Senor Fatboy doing what he does best--mashing up thumping dance floor favorites with a sweat-drenched party panache. Those expecting classic big beat belters are in for a shock, though, since Mr. Slim is more into straight-up house and techno these days--albeit with a party twist. So, we get some of 2001's biggest records--Basement Jaxx's "Where's Your Head At?," Raven Maze's "The Real Life," a couple from Santos--alongside a smattering of classics (Leftfield's "Phat Planet," an anthemic version of Underworld's "Born Slippy") and the off Fatboy number to keep the regulars happy. The result is a hot, sweaty, grimy mix that captures the sound and feel of Norman Cook's DJ sets, even if it does feel a touch out of date. --Matt Anniss ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Mr. Cook Presents: One of the Year's Best...
Great tracks, great composition...you get the sense this is a live set; complete with cheering crowd and a Public Safety message...everything becomes music on this CD...well done indeed.

Fatboy Slim mixes the old and the new and continues to make it his own. Certainly, he dances to the beat of a different drummer. Unlike many of the "world renowned super DJs" (where you can't tell their stuff on a mix CD from your own mix at home), Fatboy is distinct and awesome. Instead of waiting to see what everyone is listening to he is the one creating the new style that others will follow.

And besides all that this CD is F-U-N-K-Y.

Not Bad!
Fatboy Slim delivers overall solid beats and rhythms on this impressive mix CD. The style ranges from house to trance to electronica, and the whole thing works well. The disc sets the tone for the inefectious housed-up "Austins Groove" by Kid Creme, the trippy yet infectious "Where's Your Head At" by the ever-funky Basement Jaxx, and Fatboy Slim's own "Star 69." The disc does have a few minutes of filler, but I was overall impressed. Whether you're looking for music for a party or a good disc to workout with, "Live on Brighton Beach" is a smart move.

Really awesome, great CD
I bought this CD 5 months ago in an impulse. I just saw it on the shelf, and since I had recently started to love electronic music and had heard so much about Fatboy Slim,, I decided to buy it and try out my musical interest. The first impression I had wasn't a very good one, but that was before I actually developped my love for electronic music. However, after some days, some songs started to make me move, and i realised that the CD was awesome. The beginning is excellent, with the hybrid Born Slippy/Right here, Right now, which is the perfect opening for this kind of CD, it gives you the impression that you should get ready. Then follows Austin's Groove which is one of my favorites, among The Groovy Thang, The Real Life (I love that one) and Where's your head at?. I would have taken some songs out of the list, but none of them are bad at all; it simply makes perfect harmony. I think that the moment after Where's your head at? where the police start chasing people off the water should have taken out, and i would also complain about the pops and clicks in the CD, but that's because it's a live recording off vynil and can't be avoided. I seriously recommend this CD, because I don't regret at all having bought it, and it's always on top of my CD stack.

Quit your day job, Norman.
Put 35,000 people on a beach. Have a celebrity DJ play music at them for an hour. Release the result as a new album.

This album isn't really anything like any of Fatboy Slim's other live sets - in that it's not actually very good. It starts off with a nice, slow mix of Born slippy, progressing into a nicely funky remix of Right here, right now... and goes downhill from there. Vocal samples that are louder than the music playing are randomly dropped into the mix and repeated for minutes at a time, the sound stops entirely for ten minutes or so while Norman mumbles things at the crowd ("get the hell away from the water!"), and half of what's played seems to be either from Halfway between the gutter and the stars or You've come a long way, baby.

However, I don't like Fatboy Slim all that much. His "K-Roc solid state" mix is a better example of what he's capable of.

Great CD
Although the music style has changed a bit,(more house) it still is a great album by an excellente DJ. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Party Masterpiece on Speed/Prozac Cocktail
Mint Royale has put out a complex, upbeat, fun, musical party masterpiece of an album. This mere density of melodies and content of this album is amazing. "Deadbeat" is a bubbly, hyperactive dance tune of whimsy that will send all of its listeners into an orgasmic twirl. "Shake Me" has a nostalgic, old school sound that sounds like what "Grease 2000" might would be like. Other favorites of mine include "Because I'm Worth It" and "Diagonal Girl." This group has the creativity of the Beatles, yet they're hip, danceable, and square, all at the same time

3 1/2 stars. I'm here to do the job that you respect of me.
I decided to check out Mint Royale because they were mentioned in the same sentence as The Avalanches and Solex as "pop-pastiche" artists. What could be better? I love Solex and The Avalanches, and the idea of building pop songs from samples is very appealing. The comparison is misleading however. Mint Royale has a lot more in common with Fatboy Slim than the other two. Not that I'll hold that against them, but calling this "pop-pastiche" isn't correct. Mint Royale are more concerning with beating you over the head with giant beats than with crafting new pop songs. These are collages or DJ mixes, while The Avalanches and Solex are songwriters. There, now that that's cleared up...

I nearly winced the first time I heard "From Rusholme With Love." If you've seen Vanilla Sky, you know the song because it played in the unbelievable scene with Tom Cruise running through an empty Times Square. The song has a constantly repeating tabla melody, and if there's one thing that post-modern dance artists don't need now is another tabla beat. Countless R&B and hip-hop artists have used it, and I figure Missy Elliot's "Get Ur Freak On" should be the end-all tabla dance track. Strange how it got so cliche that fast. Anyway, things get better from there.

"Don't Falter" is one of the songs that feature vocals, and as such, comes closer to pop-pastiche sound. It's summer-y, and has some bubblegum lyrics, but since most of the music repeats, it still comes across as dance. Same goes for "Show Me," the best song on the album which features Pos from De La Soul. The music in this one is infectious. It features what sounds like a sample of chorus women singing, and that gives it an almost church-like quality. It's easy to picture Pos on the alter rapping to the parishners, "Here comes my boys, Plug 3 and 2 / My name's Plug 1, I'm here to do / The job that you respect of me." I've read some people comments that the music sounds "Latin" and mixes "the old with the new," but I don't hear any of that. More likely, they just chose the samples that best served the beat.

Sadly, a lot of what Mint Royale does is simply add instruments, take them away, and put them back like countless others do (Basement Jaxx?) . They do have their quirks though, and that's what stops them from being cookie-cutter. This is the type of thing you hear in car commercials where all the people sing along to it in the cars. You know what I'm talking about. If "Because I'm Worth It" isn't playing in a Gap store somewhere already, I'll be surprised. This is what Rachel Leigh Cook and her friends dance to wackily during the prom at the end of the movie. It outdoes anything Fatboy Slim's done in a while. (Does anyone really like that "Weapon of Choice" song, or is it just that video with Christopher Walken?) So if you *do* need some big beat music for whatever reason, make the sensible choice and put down the Fatboy CD and get this one.

If you liked "Start the Commotion" by the Wiseguys...
I first heard Mint Royale's music on a dance mix CD -- the song was called "Don't Falter", and to this day I do not understand why this wasn't a huge hit during the summer of 2000; this bright, breezy, guitar-laced jam is the reason I bought this album. Luckily, there's a lot more on here. Here are my favorite songs on the album, in order:

Track #2: Don't Falter (I already discussed this one)

Track #1: From Rusholme With Love - this one is great. Has that 'Fatboy Slim' retro-bounce to it. Love it!

Track #4: Because I'm Worth It - More of that Big-Beat, Fatboy sound. Bouncy and hip.

Track #3: Show Me - Celebratory sounding. Samples a Bertha Egnos (South Africa) song called "Sesiya Hamba" and it shows. A member from De La Soul raps here. I want to hear the original song now...

Track #6: Take It Easy - Great song...nonstop dancing.

Track #9: Diagonal Girl - the fastest of all my faves...has a "chase" sound to it, like something BT would have composed for the movie "Go".

Hmm...need more convincin, eh? Alright. I am by no means an electronica expert...but I do dig the happier, fun stuff like Daft Punk's "Digital Love", Fatboy Slim's fun stuff -- especially "Gangster Trippin", and Groove Armada's "I See You Baby". If you like those too, you're in the clear. If you don't, you might want to listen to the audio samples (that is if your computer will let you!) first. But all things considered (seriously), if you like dance music with leanings towards 'Big Beat' ala the Wiseguys or Fatboy Slim, by all means -- proceed. Give 'On The Ropes' by Mint Royale a chance. You'll probably like it.

Thanks for reading!

C.H.R.

:::: Party up! ::::::
I don't even know how I heard about Mint Royale in the first place, but somehow I ended up with their mirth-driven album that keep giving me hours over hours of fun time.

This is the essence of coolness! A simple-minded 14 tracks that will jump you up on your feet and keep the smile on your face for 45 minutes (think about it - just ... and you have 45 minutes of smiling! And you can repeat it as much as you want!!! Pretty good deal don't you think?)

I can't point on a specific good single cause I like them all.
A mix of pop, easy latin beats, mixing of oldies ("Take it Easy"), dance and party sound.

Hip dance music!

FANTASTIC - Modern hip dance music with a retro flare
If the you like the Squirrel Nut Zippers but long for something more in tune with todays musical trends, this is the ablum for you. Fun upbeat danceable tunes have a slight 60's retro flare. I consieder it a must have for any good music collection. ... Read more

Reviews (35)

Mark Farina is the MAN
Yet again, Mark Farina delivers the goods. He has distinguished himself as an artist with impeccable taste as far as song selection goes (as fans of either Mushroom Jazz or Mushroom Jazz 2 will attest) as well as flawless mixing skills. Fans of United DJs of America #9 will love San Francisco Sessions... in fact, I think it is an even better mix than UDJA9. Farina fans should also look out for (the relatively rare release) from Imperial Dub Records that features choice tracks by Dubtribe Sound System and Dr. Dub (you might know him better as, oh... Doc Martin!) mixed beautifully by Om Records' favorite son Mark Farina. And on that note, a plug for Om Records... you can't go wrong with an Om release! Particularly worthy of mention/purchase are the Sounds of Om house release, Om Lounge, and Deeper Concentration. Whether you're a fan of groovin house or innovative jungle (Ming + FS' impressive release "Hell's Kitchen"), Om is a solid label with phat offerings, not the least of which is Mark Farina's San Francisco Sessions.

love it
You've gotta love this cd, and mark farina...It took a few times to listen to before i could truly appreciate it. Once you are familiar with the cd, it grows on you!...His style of house is very original..very jazzy, funky..if you are looking for something with hard dance beats, then this is probably not for you, and i would advise listening before you buy...but as i said, it will grow on you...tracks 3 & 5 are some of the best. I hope you enjoy mark farina's original style of house as much as i do.

In This House
Mark Farina created a masterpiece with this mix. While all house-heads are likely to love it, others who have not been exposed to house would love it to0. There is simply nothing to dislike here.

Compared to Air Farina...
...and experiencing Mr. Farina live... this album ranks 4 stars, 5+ being Air Farina & "live". Damned good CD, but I still prefer Air Farina. This man is a true prodigy, he never dissapoints.

Simply the best! Farina has never been better...
This CD was realeased around five years ago and still stands as one of the best mixed house cds ever. It is completely seamless, in fact if you set it to loop continusly, the beginning and the end mixes perfectly. This disc rarely leaves my player. It is only equaled by French Sessions Vol. 1 & Vol. 3. This cd really shows the skill and creativity of the Farina. He adds beautiful vocal samples from one of the tracks, throughout the mix, this small addition ties the whole disc together. Farina is truly a madman with a sampler. Buy this disc, support great artists and indie labels. ... Read more

Album Description

4th album on Ninja Tune from one of its oldest actsfeaturing guest vocals from Iriscience (Dilated Peoples),MF Doom, Blade and more. 2002. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

the best herbaliser album i think
this is the best herbaliser album i think...

This Album...got me completely hooked on The 'Herbal One'..
Herbaliser's fourth album, is a tremendous effort that blends the "Stoned" grooves of early Kruder & Dorfmeister, with his own Ninja-tune styled underground Trip-hop.....Phi Life Cypher on "Distinguished Jamaican English, and MF Doom on "It Ain't Nuttin"...as good as any of his Ninja-tune stablemates, yet star of the show is "Wildflower" on the exceptional "Good Girl Gone Bad".....Who explodes on the mic instantly, and Rap's & freestyles with such a unrelenting "Ragga / Hip-hop" sonic assault that (given on this evidence) it's arguably superior to the already tremendous "Ms Dynamite"......"Wildflower's" drops lyrical lines like "There are so many different sides to a person's Com-plex!!.....When you try & Box me in, I get Vexx!!!.....Don't bother put me in no, "Pigeon Hole".....Especially when It seems like I'm on such a Roll", in a confident yet unabashed style of many a pirate radio M.C., but to not give at least a mention of the Trip-Hop/Jazz Vocalist fusion of the title track "Something Wicked This Way Comes" would be foolish, and it opens the album beautifully and illustrates 'The Herabliser's' ear for a incredibly catchy hook, that simply cannot be ignored. The Herbaliser through his excellent Trip-hop psychedelia, and forsight into experimentation continues "Ninja-tune's" unblemished record of astonishing output.

Great!
Herbaliser is possibly the best group in the incredibly deep talent reservoir of the Ninja Tune label and this CD proves it. So far it is their best one, with great raps and jazzy, spy soundtrack-like music. Probably a best way to get to know this band. Get it. Anything from Ninja Tune is worth buying.

Something boring this way comes
I really liked "Very Mercenary", so I was disappointed when I put this disc in, only to find that the technical wizardry so prevalent on VM is lacking here. In fact, it's non-existant. Every single song ends with you suddenly remembering that you're listening to music. It just falls into the background, where I guess it belongs. Don't get me wrong. It isn't bad music. It's just nothing special. Rip it from a friend, but don't waste your hard earned money on it like I did. I miss my money.

Good, but didn't capture me like "blow your headphones"
The album toggles between rap and instrumental music. I'm pretty picky when it comes to rap. I've always liked the rappers under the Ninja tunes label more so than others out there. The rap songs on this album are mediocre, but I'm probably not the best person to judge.

The instrumentals are fun "Shaft" 70'sish style of funk, with # 5 being the hit that everyone will like. The instrumentals all have the NIce scratchin that you have come to enjoy from the Herbaliser. Over all I think its well worth the buy, however I'm going to have to say that "Blow your Headphones" is still the masterpiece. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The Avalanches are a much-feted six-man crew of sample addicts from Australia whose debut album, Since I Left You, is a bargain-bin vinyl throwback to the Daisy Age. This album is constructed like a mix tape and calculated to tweak the dance floor. Snatches of familiar rhythms bubble up throughout, giving the record a comfortable lived-in feel but also betraying the fact that the group hasn't dug very far through the crates to source their raw material. There's little doubt that this kind of sample reconstruction has become standard fare for retrogressive adolescents with precious little musical flair and a mania for collecting records. The Avalanches get full marks for their seamless mixing skills, but otherwise it all feels way too tidy, bristling with its own inventiveness when it should be striving for something that transcends its influences. --Chris Campion ... Read more

Reviews (65)

For Your Listening and Grooving Pleasure
Whatever formula these Australian mixers and sample connossieurs have come up with, for this debut album, seems to be some of the most refreshing sounds heard in a while from the genre of dub/electro/dance/house/mixing. I haven't been this impressed with an album of this kind, since DJ Cam's 'Mad Blunted Jazz' or even possibly the recent release from Pete Rock: 'Petestrumentals'. The Avalanches know how to generate some well-layered production and sample weaving. One of the fun aspects of listening to somewhat sample based records is figuring out the sample sources.

"Since I Left You" starts the album off, with a 70s Pop feel, complete with strings, flute, a nice vocal dub, and that signature background guitar sound from that era. In "Stay Another Season", you will hear some of the music foundation from Madonna's "Holiday", before the sounds progress into a latin tinge, with a horse even joining in the medley. "Radio" serves as the pathway towards dancefloor groove, utilizing a myriad of synth ins and outs and pulsating bounce. It's certainly a House rocker! "Two Hearts In 3/4 Time" is probably the soundscape for 'ladies choice', when the ladies skim the party for a dance partner, who will offer a smooth presence and plenty of eye contact. The Fender Rhodes really make this tune an ultimate in the chill out and connection mood. I love "Avalanche Rock" because in 23 seconds, this songs drills in your head a sample of the beginning verse from Hip Hop MC Raekwon's "Glaciers of Ice". I am glad to see that some other people out there know of the Hip Hop group, Camp Lo. The Avalanches show their appreciation by using snippets from the Lo's "Sparkle", off of their classic first album, for "Close To You" and "Diners Only". I would describe these two songs as being neat breakbeats. "A Different Feeling" certainly creates that exact sentiment, with its ruminations through symphonic modernized disco and a little laughter! Those interstellar loops are also quite catchy. "Electricity" sounds like it takes its mass influence from the vibes of the west coast, and it even has that signature hi to low synth 'whistling' sound. This track could be like the current after-party funk sound for say, George Clinton. "Tonight" gets very alternative jazzy and swirls with a nice tone of Nancy Wilson. "Frontier Psychiatrist" is perfectly describe as a movie put to slightly Hip Hop music. The samples run the gamut, and that horse makes another vocal cameo appearance here. It reminds me of something DJ Vadim did with one of his last albums ('U.S.S.R.-Life From The Other Side'), and it will give the dancing crowd some 'therapy'! "Etoh" is basically a journey to another galaxy, with happy creatures whispering 'etoh'. Have a firm hand on your mixed drink, when this track comes on. "Live At Dominoes" shows the affects and effects of a party in full swing. This track would melt any House club. "Extra Kings" closes out the album by throwing listeners straight into oblivion, and echoing the album's circling mantra: 'Since the day I left you.'

This is the kind of album that you can put on in your place while you are sitting alone or with your roommate or lover, and somehow the phone will start ringing and folks will start knocking on your door, hoping to be a part of this hip party that you have created. At least in theory, that is how it should work!

Definitely get this album. You will be the talk of the town, and it is great to listen to while you are out driving to the club.

Dusting off the cobwebs...
Much is being made of the extensive sample clearence details which take up an entire page of the digipack sleeve, and indeed the Avalanches have managed to cram more musical references into 60 minutes than many producers could hope to acrue in a lifetime. But "Since I Left You" is far from a rough-hewn cut n'paste job; it is a tightly woven symphony where samples add texture and emotion, from subtle shading to dazzling illumination. This disc is no novelty; it's a fully fledged long-player, a complete unit from one end to the other. Wait, there're more superlatives!...It's a sumptuously gift-wrapped pressie from our friends down under - tear through the wrapping and ribbons, and you'll find the playful Frontier Psychiatrist, currently doing the business as a single in Europe and Oz (God forbid anything quite so original or interesting be unleashed upon the American public); shimmering, dusky interludes like Pablo's Cruise and Little Journey; and my personal faves, the emotive and brilliantly constructed album opener, Since I Left You and its "Holiday" sampling, horse-whipping coda, Stay Another Season. Don't bother waiting for the domestic release...you need this recording right now.

heavenly
I never thought of this cd as a dance pop kind of thing even though it has a lot of very danceable moments...I suppose I perfer to see it as a work of art. In case you haven't heard, there are a lot of samples on this cd...it probably took a decade for all these guys (there's like 8 of them) to collect all these records and stuff. They've managed to make something meaningful that stands on its own merits, even if you're too young to recognize any of the samples.
The earlier tracks and the later tracks stand out as individual songs (the first four tracks are all amazing, and two hearts is especially nice and a very fresh sound, frontier psychiatrist is very cool for turntablist fans), but most of the middle, from Flight Tonight to Electricity gets muddled together into a long piece of hyperactive stream of consciousness. This is not a weakness; rather, it illuminates the very natural flowing sound of what must have been a very technically difficult project. Of all the sample-collaging people out there, some of whom are Japanese and go overboard on kitsch, and others of whom take a more treaded jazz approach to things, the Avalanches have truly set themselves apart.
I suspect they might never make another album, and if they do, not for several years. They've made their statment well; this work will stand up to the test of time. For something so thick with pieces of musical and cultural history, this album is surprisingly light and heavenly.

Dance Floor Pleaser
The Avalanches' "Since I Left You" is an amazing record. It's got a flowing mixture of sweet downbeat tunes with glowing samples, and thick, bassy dance floor hits. Think of this: Junior Senior and Prefuse 73 meet the guys from Air at a Massive Attack show. It will keep you moving all night. It'll even make you feel good when you're sitting down, relaxing. It's safe to say it just sets a good aura. So, whoever gave the Amazon.com editorial review really has no idea what they are talking about. This CD belongs in your collection.

not for electronic music fans
I really couldn't decide how many stars to give. If I rate this as electronic music it gets 0, its really so embarassing. If I rate this as pop music it might get 3 just for the pure novelty. Its almost not even music. If this CD was a book it would be a documentary. I guess the reason why people love this cd is because of the many, many samples featured. Everyone is bound to hear at least a few samples from songs they've heard before. Put those samples in a new context and it passes as something creative. Only if you've never heard electronic music before though.

To sum this up. If you listen to pop/rock and think electronic music is repetative garbage then get this cd. It might chage your mind. For everyone else, here is a one sentence review: Avalanches sound like Amon Tobin for poor people. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Hot!
I went looking for this CD after first hearing it as the theme song for G-String Divas, the HBO documentary special about a year ago. Finally found it here, but it was on back-order for a long time. I absolutely love every song on this CD, it is my fav. I would love to see this group somewhere or hear more about them.

Wow !
The first time I heard a song from Touch and Go was during the movie ''Jump tomorrow'' . I bought this CD for this haunting song ;''Life is a beach''.

I was really surprised that the whole CD is very enjoyable .Cool, up beat electronic songs with horns. Ideal for a cocktail party or a drive to the ocean.

Would like to learn more about this group.

Fun music but hard to classify
The remix track "Touch and Go" is one of the season one songs for Queer as Folk and is even better in the version of track one on the CD. Hard to describe except as a fusion of swing jazz and dance club, most of the tracks are very seductive to listen to over and over again. The lyrics are both sexy and humorous, a great combination in my opinion. I would love to find more music like this so I hope someone else may have some suggestions. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Working with Blur on their Think Tank album clearly made an impact on Norman Cook. Palookaville, his fourth outing as cartoon dance hero Fatboy Slim, has a distinctly beatnik theme running through it. It also relies more on real instruments and proper songs, rather than Cook's laptop and fun floor fillers, swapping instant thrills for something longer lasting. That said it's unmistakably a Fatboy Slim record, and a pretty phenomenal one at that.

The trademark beach party anthems are still there. The Latino shake of "Wonderful Night," "El Bebe Masoquista"'s electro-funk, and single "Slash Dot Dash" with its snarling surf guitar all prove that there's life in Bigbeat yet. But it's the mellower tracks that stand-up to constant rewinds. "North West Three," a dreamy twilight tune dedicated to wife Zoe Ball, is a gorgeously romantic swayer and plinky hobo ditty "Put It Back Together" delivers a ramshackle shot of optimism in the Think Tank style, complete with a drowsy Damon Albarn. Meanwhile, the moody sub-bass rumble of "Long Way From Home" and road movie rocker "Push and Shove" find the middle ground and demonstrate that Cook's imagination is as active as ever.

All the usual cut'n'paste musical bric-a-brac's there. All the wackiness and cool grooves remain. It's just that this time they sound just as good in the living room as they do on the dance-floor. --Dan Gennoe ... Read more

Amazon.com

Earlier in the '90s, if the beats were funky, the scratching ferocious, and the rapping mediocre (or nonexistent) you could bet pound notes to crumpets you were listening to U.K. hip-hop. While U.S. hip-hop had gotten s-l-o-w and low (the better to accommodate its increasingly acrobatic wordplay), in Britain rock-the-house values still persisted. So now that fresh beats and turntablism have made a comeback stateside, old-skool Brit revivalists like the Wiseguys (a.k.a. Touche, a.k.a. Theo Keating) suddenly sound of the moment. On The Antidote,his sophomore effort, this wiseguy comes correct with an album that splits the difference between Fatboy Slim and Black Eyed Peas. The first single and second track, "Ooh La La," which accompanied a popular Budweiser commercial in Britain, boasts a chunky beat and a simple, mindless hook, setting the pattern that the rest of the album follows. It's a surefire formula, and Touche does it better than most--though a bit more of the fervid scratching that animates the leadoff track, "Re-introduction," might have made this Antidote even more soothing. --Jeff Salamon ... Read more

Reviews (43)

more like 4 stars but....
I had to give it an extra one to counter some overly poor reviews this disc has gotten. Not sure what the problem is but this is a really good cd. You get the 'hits' 'Ooh La La' and 'Start the Commotion'. You also get 'The Bounce'(which is really funky and deserves to be a minor hit too) and after the first minute and a half, 'Cowboy 78' is another smooth, funky song that incorporates some 'grunts' from those Sergio Leone westerns(now how cool is that?). 'Re-introduction' is also great though a bit on the short side plus you get a handful of good but not great songs with rapping on it(these are decent, but not very distinctive though one incorporates a line from a Depeche Mode song). Only 2 overly long, uneventful, instrumental tracks disappoint. If you like your Big Beat sound with a heavy dose of hip hop flavor(like The Freestylers), then get this. The price is comparable everywhere else so it's safe to buy it here. If you prefer your Big Beat on the more electronic/techno side, preview it first or just get something from Chem.Bros. or Crystal Method instead. I have it though, and am still listening to it(along with Fatboy Slim, Propellerheads, David Holmes, etc). Now, if only some commercial would use a song from Freddy Fresh('Badder Badder Schwing') or Indian Ropeman('Stand Clear'), maybe we can get official U.S. releases for their great U.K. debuts as well.

A good pick up for Big Beat fans
If you like Fatboy Slim, that's big beat. And the Wiseguys follow suit, and that they do it well helps. I was particularly impressed with the tracks 'Ooh, La La' 'Cowboy '78' 'Start the Commotion' and 'Grabbin Hands' which has serious hip hop roots. They manage to combine good production value along with creative sample selection for a good sound. Granted there were a few songs to skip over, but the overall mood of fun the fumes from this effort is overpowering. The track 'We Be The Crew' just taunts you into thinking that you should write your own lyrics and flow right along with the beat. This is a good pick up for any fan of Big Beat, or Hip-Hop for that matter.

Half of one song does not a good album make
It's quite fascinating the power a few well-placed commercials can have on the recognition of a specific musical artists. Techno guru Moby inserted many of the songs off his blockbuster album, "Play", into numerous commercials and, as a result, generated huge buzz, followed by rapid sales. See that model work for Moby, other artists have attempted to do the same. The one conduit that seems to be a forum for these artists is the Mitsubishi car company. At the current time, there may be as many as four or five songs on the airwaves that found their initial introduction to audiences facilitated by Mitsubishi. Dirty Vegas' "Days Go By" is probably the best of the bunch, but the first group to make its splash in these commercials was an eclectic rock/big band group called The Wiseguys. There biggest hit, "Start the Commotion" got its start in a Mitsubishi ad (they also foisted "Ooh La La" upon audiences in a few Sony commercials). "Start the Commotion" is a very catchy tune. It reminds one of the song "Canteloop" done by Us3 about a decade earlier. It mixes rap lyrics with a mixture of jazz, big band, and rock. As catchy as it is, though, it is also way way waaaaaay too long. The sections of the song move by rapidly and, after about two and a half minutes, you're ready for the song to end only to find that it goes one for another three minutes and that remaining three minutes is nothing but rehashes of the bridge and chorus. It's unfortunate that this song creates that emotion, because for the entire album "The Antidote", it's really the only notable song there. "Ooh La La" is ok, but it is still essentially nondescript. Most of the other tracks barely even register when you listen. The quality of the first two and half minutes of "Start the Commotion" is enough to bestow a 2-star rating on this album, but no where near enough to recommend it. As one of the pricier single albums on the market, the listener will be sorely disappointed by buying this album just for that one song and hoping for other tracks to be as good.

I like this one
Great discman music, keeps you movin'! Only the track ooh la la is a little bit too long...

Touché! one of the best grooveébig beat lps of ALL TIME!
WOW! The Wiseguys comeback with yet another a-m-a-z-i-n-g album!! I am speechless on how good it is...sure there was the Budweiser and Mitsubishi commercial tracks, if you even remotely
liked that, the album just gets better and better. FatBoySlim, Propellerheads, Crystal Method, ETC have NOTHING on these guys
...Touché! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Calling fabled guitar god Jeff Beck "mercurial" doesn't do justice to the word – or the legend himself. While this latest blast of maniacal Beckology seems to form a loose techno-centric triptych with its predecessors, by no means is the guitarist resting on his laurels here. If anything, his continuing collaboration with You Had It Coming producer Andy Wright (aided and deliciously sonically subverted by Splattercell's David Torn and Apollo 440) has yielded one of Beck's most muscular--if willfully challenging--collections of musical future shock. Save for the elegant, orchestra-backed take on the traditional folk of "Bulgaria" and introspective respite of "Line Dance with Monkey' and "JB's Blues," the guitarist seems to have little interest in traditional lyricism here, instead coaxing an inventive maelstrom of unearthly, metallic timbres and alien modalities from his instrument on the angular "Trouble Man," the hypnotic grooves of "So What" and the Torn-icated, melodic minimalism of "Plan B." On "Grease Monkey" and "Hot Rod Honeymoon," Apollo 440 playfully fold Beck's notorious car-culture fetishes into an ironic sonic origami of retro-samples and tense electro-rhythms, the latter highlighted by his neo-country chicken-pickin' and incomparable slide work. That track may be cast as mock Beach Boys car tune, but there's definitely nothing nostalgic about the evocative, often hard-edged mood here; it might as well be subtitled "Beck to the Future." --Jerry McCulley ... Read more

Reviews (77)

A JB guitar masterpiece, but buried in commercial noise
"JEFF" is the third JB album in the last 5 years. Beck continues to push the guitar to the max. The guitar playing in this album is even more amazing and ferocious than most of his previous catalogue. Unfortunately, you must get past the overtaking drumbeats, sound effects, and numerous voice sampling to actually enjoy Jeff Beck himself. The fact that this album is a difficult listen causes it to end up as a "what could have been". There is no other guitar player who matches JB, but this album, while still very interesting, cannot really stand as a single proof of that.

The tracks are creative, hard-hitting and powerful, but I'm always tempted to play other Jeff Beck albums such as "Blow By Blow", "Guitar Shop", and "Who Else!" right after this one. Why? Because on those albums, you can listen all the way through not having to struggle to hear Jeff play. While "You Had It Coming" drew a substantial line between rock guitar and electronica, "JEFF" completely immerses itself with electronica. The last thing I'd want to happen is for someone to take these tracks and play them for trendy TV commercials or dance clubs.

I give this album 3 stars. The guitar work is absolutely fabulous and the album's overall daring task is chilling. However, it will probably take some time to appreciate the album as a whole as well as ranking it among the best Jeff ever recorded. As usual though, it's all about personal preference. Check out this interesting album and discover it on your own terms.

Jeff Beck returns with adventurous electronic offering!
Jeff Beck has always been a favorite of mine due to the often adventurous aspects of his playing. His new cd "Jeff" is no exception. His new disk utilizes electronic effects and mixing aplenty to get his point across. The songs range from a Beach Boys type knock off "Hot Rod Honeymoon" to the tradional "Bulgaria" with an orchestral arrangement and the vocal track "Pay Me No Mind" Beck's playing can be very emotion filled as in "JB's Blues" or "Seasons" for example. He can also rock as evidenced by tracks like "Pork-U-Pine" and "Grease Monkey". For the most part Beck's playing is ferocious as in Trouble Man" and he sometimes showcases his often neglected slide playing and his trademark bent notes. Occasionally the music sounds a little too clinical with all the mixing and electronics but overall it is a good Jeff Beck album. John Scofield's recent albums have also utilized some of these same effects albeit with a more jazzy and funky slant. The music has a sort of futuristic feel to it with a sort of Beck vs. machines and technology vibe. Fans of his last two disks will find plenty of excellent playing to keep them listening!

Scare Your Children!
Buy this CD. Play it loud enough. Your children will hear it and leave you alone for a while. They will also think twice before crossing you. Of course if they surprise you and end up liking it - you still end up with a great Jeff Beck album. Score one for family values. 'Nuff said.

The Best
Long before the Crystal Brothers/Chemical Method creators were in diapers reaching up and knocking over needles as Joy Division crackled out of boxy wall-mounted speakers, Mr. Beck was cranking out the foundation of Techno.
This is the definitive Techno album. Fusing blues and rock, metal and industrial, Jeff simply kicks. If you haven't listened to this with headphones, do it. No one does like Mr. Beck. Any fan of instrumental guitar improvisations and any fan of what Techno music does well, should buy this album.
Crank it.

Why, I Ask, Why Has Jeff Beck Gone Technoesque?
He may be one of the best guitar players around, but he needs the firm hand of a band to guide him in the proper direction. Really brilliant people sometimes make big mistakes...and keep making them.

This brilliant rock guitarist does nothing for rock. I can't understand this apparent love affair he has with techno, since techno A) saw it's hey-day in the mid to late 90's and B) lacked the ability to carry the same emotion, depth, and richness that other forms of music, especially rock and blues can and do. This cd doesn't really break new ground in that genre, and it really doesn't rescue techno from it's slow decline. Whereas "Guitar Shop..." anticipated the rise of techno music (a much better cd), this album merely rehashes every distortion that's ever come from the studio.

Where are the solos? I found it so hard to distinguish a guitar "sound" from some other kind of "sound" at times. Maybe this is what he wants, but if he thinks that this is enough to satisfy his long time fans (or new fans fond of his early work), it's not. Maybe if he had invested some time into lyrics NOT about cars, this cd would be a LITTLE better off. As it stands, I feel that Beck is merely toying with us. He's taken the time to record an album, but has done everything possible to turn it into a joke. Not very nice. ... Read more

Album Description

2003 album from the ''King of the Breaks'', the 12 tracksrange from the haunting, mid-tempo title track to thefunkdified ''Freaks in the House''. Includes a bonus videotrack, 'Cross Eyed Sally' (Robotic Raga Mix). Slipcase.System Recordings. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

DJ Icey show's us why he is the true 'King of Breaks'
II've been a fan of DJ Icey since 1995, when I first discovered his music Icey was, at the time one of (if not the only) US artists producing breaks that were on par with UK talent. I was in awe. From his re-mixes of 'Beach Ball', Groove Armada, Orbital, etc Icey always brings the funky breaks (pun intended).

When I first picked up 'Generate' in 1997, I could not believe it, 'Generate' was is and will always be a seminal piece of electronic music, if you own this CD you know what I mean, if you don't you should get a copy immediately, and experience the genius first hand!

During the last 5 years, Icey has release a hand full of DJ mixed compilations which really bring the club experience home, and if you have ever heard this man spin live, you know without a doubt that Icey is a man that gets the rumps shaking and energy level through the roof. And so I waited for the new album of original music....

'Different Day'...There really is something for everyone (electronic music fans) here from the vocal styling of Jen Lasher on the title cut, to (in my opinion) the smash hits Searching (AMAZING!) and Dreams both featuring Melanie Rev.

Icey also delivers a bunch of tunes for the heads, Freaks in the House, will no doubt be the Breaks anthem for 2003 and Sinewave is smoking as well.

Enough from me, you can tell I'm a huge DJ Icey fan, and I love this record. Thanks Icey, worth the wait!

Icey is King
This guy invented a genre. He took Hip Hop beats, electro rhythyms, and jacked their I.Q.'s, brought in the "intelligent" elements. The melodic keyboards, the synth waves. He will one day be revered worldwide as the man who single handedly created funky dance music. The breaks revolution in England a few years ago. That was Icey influenced. Ive seen this guy from the beginning, he's definetly one of the top dance music producers.

This guy~s good ...
...not bad, chil - yet - up-lifing... I bought it ;o)~

"....Icey's the 'mix-master' of the 'break's domain....'"
Wassup, everybody? Just thought I'd give a plug to all you "technophiles" out there, who like listening to a good breaks album.
I really enjoyed listening to DJ Icey's latest album release "Different Day." With its funky break-beats and a little-tinge of "drum & bass," it makes for a pleasurable listening experiance. It's not overbearing by any means, unlike some of the progressive "hard-house" and some of the "nu-school break's" compilations out there. I'll go "out-on-a-limb" to say: Icey's the mix-master of the break's domain, by the impeccable-way he presents the material. I hope to see him spin some records, one-of-these-days. If you're down for some clean- fun with an ear for great music, then this is the album for you.

CREATOR EVOLVES STYLE
dj icey is the creator of this genre and in many people's mind own the world of break-beats so he's experimenting with his style as long as he's been in the business I'd expect nothing less now from reading the other reviews it looks like a lot of people are trying to compare this to the essential mix but that cd is the work of many people put together that many breakbeat legends put on stage with an awsome director such as Icey nothing less should happen but with one man's mind at work this cd is Icey at his best even if yall don't like it the first time you hear it don't come on hear and put it down listen to it some more and you will realize that Icey is ahead of his time and his evolution of the style will lead many more to follow the king of break-beat music! TRUST ME! ... Read more

Amazon.com

The third in Ultra Records' pioneering, yet dependably commercial downtempo series, Ultra Chilled 3 features more of the silky, jazz-flecked techno that's seen an explosion of popularity in recent years. The first of the two-disc set is packed with safe and sane choices from Beth Orton, Bebel Gilberto, and Koop, along with a Norah Jones-sung cover of Roxy Music's "More Than This." There are a few gems, starting with Alpha's melancholy remix of Coldplay's "Yellow," and ending with Sondre Lerche's quirky and carefree "Dead Passengers." In keeping with the general trend of the series, the second disc explores riskier ground, with Nightmares On Wax's stony trip-hop leading into Flunk's acoustic-tinged cover of New Order's "Blue Monday." Later, Chin Chillaz drop some rumbling dub behind "Trinity," while Freddy & Herman threaten to wake everybody up with an actual dance beat on "Aquarius." Depending on how tired you are of the downtempo scene, Chilled 3 is either a handy collection of post-yoga relaxation mood music, or an opportunity to burn a few great tracks before selling it back. --Matthew Cooke ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Big improvement from the second volume
I recently was perusing the chill out bins at one of my favorite record stores when I stumbled upon the third volume in the Ultra Chilled series. I was surprised to see a third volume, and a second compilation released in the same year. I loved the first volume (as predictable as it was), loathed the second because it was even more predictable than the first volume (good songs though but too predictable and the artists and bands were on other chill out compilations that I owned), and now the third volume. I must say that I will give Ultra Records props for not torturing me again with another compilation filled with artists I already see on my other compilations. Either someone saw my review for volume 2 or someone at Ultra Records finally grew a brain and realized that not everyone enjoys listening to the same damn song found on other compilations or the same artist and band in general. Now while the third volume is actual improvement from the second, it isn't completely flawless. The first disc I found to be utterly in disarray. The songs did NOT flow well together. David Waxman who mixed and edited the cd needs to take some major mixing lessons from David Visan from the Buddha Bar series, and fast. The first disc is just a complete mess. The only bright moments that I did like was tracks #1, #2, #4, #6, and #11. I loved Charlie Hunter and Norah Jones' version of Roxy Music's "More Than This". Great cover. I found the Alpha Remix for Coldplay's smash hit "Yellow" quite compelling and different from the version I am so used to hearing. The second disc of "Ultra Chilled 3" is ten times better than disc 1 and "Ultra Chilled 2". Frankly I think "Ultra Chilled 3" would have been better off as a single disc compilation with disc 2, but oh no. Ultra Records had to put that horribly mixed disc 1. Being a big New Order fan, I was pleasantly surprised by Flunk's cover of the '80s classic "Blue Monday". The vocalist kinda reminds me of Beth Orton, EVTG's Tracey Thorn, and Portishead's Beth Gibbons. Stunning cover. The track list in general flows well together. Despite my disdain for disc 1, disc 2 was good enough for "Ultra Chilled 3" to get a 4 star rating. Flawed but still good, and a whole lot better than "Ultra Chilled 2".

Without a few artists, this would be a total waste!
Other than the songs from Bebel Gilberto, Koop, Jazzanova and Norah Jones, this CD is total garbage! That's the last time I buy another Ultra CD. I really hated the 2nd Ultra Chilled and I almost hate this one even more because the songs I liked, I already heard before. Someone ought to preview this music before it's released because there are a LOT of stinkers on this 2-CD set. If you haven't heard anything from the artists I mentioned above, save your time and BUY their individual CD's(Especially KOOP's masterpiece!!!) because all of them are excellent and skip even listening to this abomonation. The rest of these songs sound like lifeless, soulless and uncreative [crud]! However because of the inclusion of the artists mentioned above, I'll have to give it a 3.

all good things must come to an end
What the hell happened to this cd? After #1 and #2 came out i was itching to get my hands on this one... and when i was done (yes i gave this piece of *poo poo* some 2 hours of my life)listening to this one... i returned it. Trust there are about 3 or 4 good songs, the rest arent even average...they SUCK.

Sometimes the first is just a primer..
The first disc of Ultra Chilled 3 seems to the trained chillout DJ ear as elevator music when compared to some of the mixes done by other DJs like Morlack and the others from the PsyShop crew. But on further listen, I decided to plow straight through to the second disc. 03:2 is excellent, and in my opinion could stand alone if Ultra had decided to go with a one disc compliation instead of two. I really like the track choice of the entire set, but I think the star reduction (in terms of rating) can be accounted to the mixing of the first and the beginning of hte second CD in the case. All in all, I think that it is a good record.

Flunk and Cinematic Orchestra are Real Jems
The two best songs on the collection. The rest of it is so-so, good for pretty, relaxing background music. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Great combination of music
This CD Rocks! Firestarter, Zoot Suit Riot, Walk This Way, Block Rocking Beats, so many songs to chose from. It is always in my CD Player

The best cd ever!
This was the coolest cd ever! There was a mix of songs and different singers. That makes you interested in other cds.

This CD Rocks Piece
The combination of songs on this cd is excellent. From Puff Daddy to Bush this has the best variety out of all the Jock Rock and Jock Jams cd's. I would definitley recommend this to any serious cd collector.

This CD is the BEST!!!
A great CD. Awesome songs like Semi-Charmed Life (3rd eye blind) One Week (barenaked ladies) and Machine Head (bush). It even includes an awesome Sportscenter Megamix with Famous phrases like "cooler than the other side of the pillow." and "I am amused by the simplicity of this game." Simply the best CD i have ever had.

Keep Rockin On Jock Rock!
AWESOME! Best Music on one CD! IF you buy 1 CD this fall, BUY JOCK ROCK 2000! Some of 1999's best bands: Republica, FatBoy Slim, Third Eye Blind, Sugar Ray, and many more! AWESOME CD! A must have! ... Read more

Album Description

This 'Best Of' 2 CD set celebrates their success with Concrete Records from 1997-2002. Disc One features tracks from 'The Contino Sessions' to 'Scorpio Rising'. Disc Two features mixes of Death In Vegas tracks from a variety of artists. Concrete. 2005. ... Read more

Album Description

After a slew of top selling 12 inches on the City Of Angels label, Uberzone has delivered him much-anticipatedfull-length debut 'Faith In The Future'. This albumfeatures collaborations with The Crystal Method, RenniePilgrem, and vocals from Afrika Bambaata and SoulsonicForce, Beenie Man, Lida Husik and even Paige Hamilton fromHelmet. 2001 Astralwerks release. On tour this summer &fall with The Crystal Method. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

ÿberzone Delivers What He Started Many Years Ago...
The elusive full-length album by electro funk madman Q has finally hit the stores. With singles such as "The Freaks", "Botz" and "2 Kool 4 Skool" floating around for some years now, its about damn time that Q got this record out. "Faith in the Future" is a tour de force of electro funk rhythms, zany samples and out-of-the-ordinary sequencing. And Q doesn't go at it alone, production credits on this album include Rennie Pilgrem, Ken Jordan (Crystal Method), and the voices of Beenie Man, Page Hamilton, and Afrika Bambaataa. Q's style of pure electronic sound-scapes is done perfectly on this album. He manages to deliver the sounds of pure electronic craftsmanship with a natural, funky style. The opening track "Beat Bionic" is a great electro funk track featuring the masterful scratching of Davey Dave and Sure 2 B on the wild vocoded lyrics. Other highlights on this album include "Dreamtime" where Linda Husik's vocals are clipped and laced into a beautiful sequence that bridges Q's electro breaks with ambient styling for a purely euphoric result. "Bounce" is another great track with Q's signature programming styles. "2 Kool 4 Skool" is a great collaboration with Bambaataa, bridging the old skool sounds with today's breakbeat styles. The only track that I found disappointing was "Keep Go-In" with Ken Jordan (1/2 of the Crystal Method). The talent that they both have, I was expecting something that slams, instead of something that only brushes the surface of their talent. This track is just fluff, only a small step up from an old arcade game soundtrack. The rest of the tracks grow on you; this is one of those albums you can't jump to conclusions after one listen. This is one to listen to over the course of a few days, giving each track its chance to show you its real face.

Great Album - Great Music
Although many people have seemed to be disappointed by Uberzone's newest release, "Faith in the Future," I can't seem to understand why. His singles have always been great - creative and compelling. On the album, Q has revamped some of his old favorites and added a broad spectrum of new songs as well. Each track stands out on its own, and has something to offer. Frankly, much of this album is some of the best breakbeat I have ever heard. Also, the track, "Dreamtime" is perhaps one of the most beautiful and energetic songs I have heard in a long time. Wonderfully mellow yet pulsing with energy. At Uberzone's live performance here in San Francisco, the crowd went wild... Even more so than they did for Crystal Method who played after them! With a bit more time to develop his style further, I think Uberzone will become a powerful force on the electronic/breakbeat scene. Do yourself a favor and support a great up and coming artist! BTW - To address another reviewer's praise of Uberzone's scratching - Uberzone doesn't scratch. The awesome scratching on the album and live performances is Davey Dave, who has also been heard on BT's latest album (Not sure if he is credited, though... There is a a bit of bad blood over this one...) and here and there on Crystal Method's new release.

Guest appearances galore...nu skool breaks is here
After releasing many EP's on Astralwerks, we finally see a domestic release of a full-length album by Uberzone. Uberzone first made a name for themselves with the success of their single "The Freaks" back in 1998. The success of the track led to anticipation of an album, that has finally now arrived. Surprisingly, there are many guest appearances on this record by Beenie Man, Rennie Pilgrem, Afrika Bambaataa, Ken Jordan of The Crystal Method, and more. Most of the tracks on this album follow the same format as their older work; breaks with big beat and tribal house influence. Black Widow, the track that features Rennie Pilgrem was the most impressive in my mind (I played it 5 times before I went on to the next track). The amazing thing about Uberzone is that many of their tracks they released back in the late 90's still get played by breakbeat DJ's today. Their vision of how the music was going to sound in the future was brilliant (hence the title of the album, hint hint). Each track on this album delivers great intensity, and brilliant production....

Good thing I bought it on sale
I bought this CD b/c of "Bounce" and nothing's changed.
I was really disappointed with FITF b/c it's not my type.
Other than boring beats and climaxes that are waiting to happen,
but dont; FITF just isn't fit for me.
I'll take Euro-house anyday.

A little disappointed, but still quality work
If you have seen Uberzone live then you know that he is purely sensational. And if you know Uberzone, you know that all his previous singles have been dope. I guess that's why I was a little disappointed. This album is very good, but I expected it to be classic material, which it is not. If you are considering buying this album, and you are not familiar with Uberzone, you should understand that he specializes in ultra crisp, clean, science fiction like breaks. He is probably a bit of a science fiction nut or something....I don't know for sure but that's how his music sounds. But Uberzone always represents super quality production. He has skills for sure. The quality of the tracks is up to the brim......quality noises, sounds, samples, composure. See, I believe that when he created this album he created it EXACTLY the way he wanted it to sound. You just have to step off in his mind to appreciate where he is coming from............. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Electronic at it's finest
First let me say this - The artists and tracks that Urb magazine has pulled together on this compilation are definitely good music. But I would not call this a definitive guide to electronic music. There are definitely other bands that put out good electronic music at the time. But I guess you can only fit so much good music on an 80 minute CD (76:43 to be exact). That being said, let me give a short run down of the awesome tracks on this CD:
1. The Prodigy - Poison: gets better with age - Prodigy is definitely an essential - powerful lead in track for this CD
2. DJ Icey - Big Ditch: Icey is nice and dicey on this track
3. The Chemical Brothers - Block Rockin Beats: might have been played one too many times but it rocks every time you here it
4. Future Sound of London - We Have Explosive: the original is a good track and this remix is even better
5. Rabbit in the Moon - O.B.E.: This is how down tempo is done
6. Wink - Higher State of Consciousness: I would call it the anthem of acid funk - my favorite track
7. Keoki - Caterpillar: the driving beat and guitar sounds make it worth listening to twice
8. Underworld - Born Slippery: a sticky tune with a beat that makes you move to the music
9. CJ Bolland - Sugar is Sweeter: a very surprising track with some nice lyrics
10. Orbital - The Saint: shows the best side of Orbital with airy flute sounds and a nice bass line
11. The Orb - Toxygene: the comeback of the orb - a good ambient dub
12. Goldie - Inner City Life: good ambience - nice vocals
13. Reprazent - Share The Fall: the airy flute at the beginning leads to a good beat
14. Portishead - Sour Times: another good ambient dub
15. Everything But The Girl - Before Today: the best vocals on the CD with a hint of drum and bass
16. Crystal Method - Busy Child: one of the most played by the crystal method, but makes for a good driving last track

Hope this helps in making your choice to add this CD to your electronic collection. Now that I own Urbal Beats Vol. 1, 2, & 3, I can say that Vol. 1 is probably the best.

It opens the door to more!
The CD was great, not only do I listen to it but it opened up the door for me. I went out a bought the CD's of the Artist that where on it. I am new to this music but it is great! I love it! Prodigy, Chemical Brothers, Rabbit in the Moon, The Orb, Goldie, Ronie Size, and Crystal Method are real good CD's to look into if you like this too.

Electronica 101?
Obviously these 16 songs aren't all you need to know about electronica. I could think of another 16 right off the top of my head. BUT, this all good, and one of the better collections to come out of 1997. You got your big names like "Chemical Brothers", "Prodigy", and "Crystal Method", along side some more unknowns which is nice. Three of my favorites are the tracks by "DJ Keoki", "Underworld", and "CJ Bolland". All are excellent. I could have dropped a few of these myself, but I'll let you decide which ones. Though no compilation is gonna be perfect, I would say this is almost there. By not having it, you might find yourself in "Sour Times".

Tecno Heaven
This CD is a mixture of songs from various artists. If you just started listening to techno, you'll really be hooked after hearing this one. Out of the three urbal beat CD's, This one is the best. Because of all the different artists. Highly reccomended. ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Excellent Introduction To Techno/Ambient
This CD contains some of my favorite tracks of the genre, including 'Block Rockin Beats', 'Rabbit In The Moon', 'Sour Times' and 'Busy Child'. Probably the best overall mix that I have encountered. A very few of the tracks are a bit grating/overly repetitive, so it doesn't quite deserve five stars (maybe 4 1/2). If you like the samples, you will like the rest of the disc! ... Read more

Reviews (7)

A must have1
i am a techno fan and i must saythat this is one of the best albums ive ever heard. With their matrix-style of urban beats and fast - paced lyrics. Beating the crystal method out of the top spot, this wonderful mix of techno and rap/hip hop makes this a must have for anyone who likes a great beat.

rippin' tunes
This cd is full of high energy, crankin' techno. Everyone I know who has listened to any one of these tracks wants to immediatly go out and buy it. Times running out is one of the best high energy techno songs I've ever heard. If you get the chance, see these guys live, you won't regret it.

Mission aborted
Techno junk food with some Rap/R+B influences. Amazing how a 5 minute song can seem like 8 minutes, when the majority is ust the same, repetitive hip-hop rhythm scheme.

Funky........Funky.....Funky.......Get up and dance
This is (some of) the best that they have done to date,.....but that is, until the new one............... STOP AND PANIC......hits the stores........Get down and do some serious Steppin' at the next dance parrrr T

Slippery, Funky, Rhythmic, Dirty, Blended, Screaming
Bottom line is you wont regret buying this cd, ever. Escpecially when you are about 10 minutes into the last tune and Cirrus whips out their banjo. ... Read more

Amazon.com

As another slab of exceedingly danceable, electro-laden funk, the Lo Fidelity Allstars' Don't Be Afraid of Love makes for addictive listening, whether you've already learned How to Operate with a Blown Mind or not. The moody opening track, "What You Want," certainly gets the party started, but it does little to set the tone for the rest of the album. Clashing guitars give way to Lisa Millet's emotive vocal on the Balearic "Lo-Fi's in Ibiza" and from there on in, it's hooky samples, pure Vocoder soul, and familiar, frenetic acoustics all the way. On the heels of their On the Floor at the Boutique compilation, this release will leave you feeling anything but low. --Ruby Tuesday ... Read more

Reviews (17)

EXCELLENT ALBUM
Lo Fidelity Allstars' latest work "Don't be Afraid of Love" is an incredible CD with all kinds of great sounds in it. Some tracks are mellow and laid-back; like "Just Enough",which will have you paralyzed with its chilled-out beautiful music and fuzzy voiced lyrics...after that,you're back on the dancefloor when the next track "Cattleprod" starts blowin` up. Every song on the album has something worth listening to. Even the secret unlisted 13th song(that starts playing about 30 seconds after track 12)is great. Some pretty awesome stuff here...check it out!!

I'm serious. I love this CD and I don't exactly know why. Maybe its because the Lo Fidelity Allstars were able to bounce back from the loss of their lead singer after "How to Operate with a Blown Mind". Maybe its because I just picked this up off the music store rack for no apparent reason and happened to like it. Maybe its because the Lo Fidelity Allstars have such a good way of creating atmosphere with their music. Could be because "Don't Be Afraid of Love" seamlessly blends rock ("What You Want" and "Cattleprod"), soul ("On the Pier"), funk ("Deep Ellum...Hold On") and out-and-out dance music ("Lo Fi's in Ibiza" and the awesome "Feel What I Feel"). Great music! Keep listenin'!

I wanted to love this cd
What happened to the Allstars since "How to Operate With a Blown Mind"? What happened to the overwhelming fast, intense, dark, futuristic sound of this band? Why have they gone soft? I miss the lyrics most of all, they were a huge part of this groups sound. I mostly listen to electronic, mostly breaks and drum + bass, and just hate the mellow soft stuff, too boring. I wouldn't say that this new cd is bad though. I am just disappointed, and compared with How to Operate I think this cd is definetely lacking.

Don't knock it till it's knocked you
So wrekked train is gone. Their 'morbid' poetry is gone. Their mindless rough beatings of musicality in general is gone. What Lo fi replace it with, however, is something so diverse one can only respect them. Critiquing this album would be simple and worthless - but so would be critiquing the first album. Honestly - what made the Allstars allstars? Their difinitive style... and it's still here, folks. Quality artists will always be quality artists. The Allstars will always rock out to anything they can get their greedy little fingers spinning. The hardcore hip-hop edge is gone from this CD but it is replaced with an eclectic blend of dance, R & B and funky grooving action that will leave you in a stupor. Wipe that drool off your chin, junior, Lo Fi's still got it.

Lo-Fi....doesn't have a comeback...
I bought this CD when i was just into really pure techno stuff...
and fatboy slim...anyways...
i walked into my local sam goody and saw these guys on a rack, and i had seen the name from the Skint records site, and listened to their loop on there, and i was all...hey, those guys could be pretty good!
so i bought the cd, and was all "HEY! what is this? it has LYRICS!" the only song i really dug was 'dark is easy' cos it had plenty of turntable scratching.
anyways, i put it away for a few weeks (or months) don't remember...
and then i stuck it back into my cd player and was astounded by the sound. (heh, funny!)
it was put in the #2 slot in my cd case, ('cos i ALWAYS had my cds with me no matter where i was. even in my BASEMENT!) but after fatboy slim. geez he has neat music.

the beats are always great and lo-fi, the vocals always vocoded, and all the songs feel complete.

so in conclusion...if you're into JUST techno, you probably shouldn't get this cd, but if you're into ALL genres...doesn't matter. but if you're into lyrical techno, BUY THIS!!! RIGHT NOW! ... Read more

Album Description

Death in Vegas is a band that has an endless capacity for reinvention. Their three studio albums Dead Elvis, The Contino Sessions and Scorpio Rising have all been markedly different. Over the years, the band has evolved immensely and has continued to build their fan base.

Richard Fearless and Tim Holmes have used this creativity and flexibility to put together the 16th volume in the Back to Mine series. Its varied tracklisting will not disappoint. After collaborations with Liam Gallagher and Paul Weller on their Scorpio Rising LP, it was recently revealed that DIV are to produce the next Oasis album. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Death In Vegas - Back to Mine ... a treasure box!
Okay, okay, okay, don't listen to the joker who says to save your money on this one, cause he's wrong! If you are a fan of the Back To Mine series or just like very, interesting, well mixed, with a bit of thought behind them, comp albums then this album is by and far worth your precious dough. If you love music, and I'm talkin' about all kinds here, because this CD has got it all... Death In Vegas have out done themselves. This album is loaded with pearls! If you are a fan of the beat, this albums with satisfy, if you are a fan of the groove, this album will satisfy, if you are a fan of songs that will break your heart and then turn around and make you realize you love life just because of music, this album will satisfy. I'm tellin' you! Every song on this album is worth the price alone:
1- The Upsetters 'Cloak & Dagger" - just a chill reggae beat that'll slap a grin on your face as soon as you hear the flow. Sweet and slow with horns... yes, please!!
2 - Fad Gadget - 'Back To Nature - oh, another great track from the minute it starts, totally awesome 80's track that'll have you singin' Back to Nature by the end. Clever and catchy... and a terrific beat.
3 - Gene Clark & The Godsin Brothers 'Only Colombe' - alright, Gene Clark's vibe is felt on this album twice, once here and later with Dillard & Clark, yet on this one you get the up beat Clark, sounding a bit Dylan-ish, with Only Colombe, a great song and the beat, oh my god, this is a old school song don't get me wrong, but it has such a great beat and flow to it... and the piano. If all songs were like this, music would solve the worlds problems.
4 - Nina Simone - "My Sweet Lord" Simone covers George Harrison's classic and makes it totally her own. You'll feel like your right up front for Sunday gathering, but Church music, to me, rarely reaches this level, but you'll be praising right along with Nina. Great song for a sunny day!
5 - Songs: Ohia - 'Soul' The gem of this treasure chest that Death In Vegas has given us is in this song, Soul by Songs : Ohia. Not much is said about this song in the albums liner notes, which rock by the way, and I couldn't find this song on any of Songs: Ohia albums. (I'm not that familiar with Songs: Ohia however, yet that is no more) Death In Vegas put it out for us and thank you, because this song has such beauty to it. The vocals are heartbreaking and the backing is simple and perfect. This is one song that truly gets better every time you hear it. I hope you feel the same because I can't imagine anyone listening to this song and not feel anything. Another song that could change the world.
6. Nitty Gritty Dirt Band - 'Nashville Blues' Remember, all types of music are on display here and this is great pickin' and playin' music from the NGDB, a toe tapping tune... no vocals needed, the music says it all.
7. Dillard & Clark - 'Polly' Another Gene Clark song and this time is country Clark, yet it doesn't matter, this song is a diamond. I know I've said it already, but this is another song that will break your heart and fall in love. Songs don't get much better. Dillard & Clark only had two albums, but this one song cements their legacy in my mind. Musical bliss.
8. Sam Gopal - 'The Sky Is Burning' Delving further into the musical basement, Death In Veags come up with this psychedelic tune that is as chill as the day Gopal recorded it. Another great groove that puts you right back in the day. The lyrics are from another world! A+

9. Bo Diddley - 'Elephant Man' - Hey, Bo Diddley!!! No not that song, this song kicks the crap out of that song and every song and person that never gave Diddley the proper respect. If this tune was on the radio today it would be #1 without a doubt. Don't be surprised to hear this in a car commercial or some advertisment someday. A pumping tune. Bo knows.
10. Cowboy Junkies - 'Sweet Jane' - Oh, and Death In Vegas brings it down, oh so slow and so sweet with Sweet Jane by the Cowboy Junkies, it's also in Natural Born Killers by the way cause when I first heard it I wondered where it was from as well). But the Junkies do Lou Reed more justice than maybe neccessary, or perhaps they even out do him, you decide?
11. Au Pairs - 'Headache for Michelle' ... and right back to the funk with this one. Out of his head!! (you'll get it) Great drums, guitars and the vocals, oh man, this lady has got soul! Feel her pain and groove with her. She will seduce you, no matter!
12. Piero Piccioni - 'Psychedelic Mood' A dope beat with the a nice organ piece flow and guitar. A swingin' tune that'll make anyone nod their noggin'.
13. Joy Division - ' Decades' Just start clapping your hands now and playing air keyboard cause this song will control you. Classic Joy Division. Again the beat... the beat, awww!
14. MMM - 'Donna' This is as much techno you'll get on this album, one song, and when one song's this good, you don't need any other. Gets awkward at the end, but hey, it's techno. Read the liner notes on this one, interesting to say the least!
These songs should be delt with from beginning to end! Once this album is in your view, buy with confidence! Once this album is in your head, you'll never be able to shake it.
You will thank Death In Vegas one day, and now so shall I, thank you, Death In Vegas, thank you!

Not worth buying
This CD isn't very good--the only song I enjoyed was Cowboy Junkie's Sweet Jane (which is awesome).

Don't waste your money! ... Read more