Reviews (3)

Is my experience unusual?:
So many times, I've enjoyed the rythm-section-dominated intro to a tune, only to be less than pleased with the theme to follow, either with the less-hip-lines in the 'other' instruments, or in many cases,(of stuff from the last 30 years or so),with the plastic-toy sounds of of poorly-chosen-and/or-adjusted electronic instruments and processors. No problem here; When you enjoy the very cool bass-and-drums/percussion of each of these tracks, you can relax in the knowldege that it will continue ininterupted.

Don Cherry Lives On!
I had the wonderful oppurtunity of seeing these two guys perform a lot of this material live just before this CD came out at the Vision festival in the spring of 2001, and let me just say that this is music that can really grow on you. I had been familiar with Mr. Parker's work for quite some time and had heard many good things about Mr. Drake, but had never heard his playing. I watched these two men pull up to the venue, and unload an upright bass and AN ENTIRE STATION WAGON FULL of percussion instruments, and then proceed to listen and play with each other non-stop for almost 2 hours, but I wasn't converted then... it was a little too much to take in all at once. I had to go home, buy the CD, listen and remember the performance, and really let their personalities settle in for a while. Now they have become strong role models in my life as a musician. This CD is a very good representation of what these two gentlemen do, they have found the common threads in many/string/wind/percussion instruments, and use them all as vehicles for expression and interaction with one another. Drake is a consummate percussionist and Parker is surprisingly multi-instrumental. And because of these multi-instrumental capabilites (and the many variations of music they create), and also the wisdom to take the only the best of what they recorded, and to organize the pieces in a balanced and vairied fashion, the CD remains interesting throughout. They have also made quite a few other recordings together with other musicians in various formats, and I highly recommend checking these out as well.

Grooves galore!
This is a marvelous recording by two of the premier
players on the jazz scene today. You will be surprised
by how much sound, how much groove, these two create.
This IS the real drum and bass music. Check it out!
Also check out the electronic re-mix of this called
Black Cherry, which is out on the same fine label. ... Read more

Album Description

2003 release on Rephlex features two exclusive tracks 'Ktpa 1' & 'Ktpa 2' plus a remix of 'Run The Place Red' from theBug featuring Cutty Ranks. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Originally $12
People look at this as a piss-take on an EP, just for RDJ's personal wealth and whatnot. And, truthfully, it is.
But that doesn't make the one "real" track on here not worth the money.
It does indeed, grow on you. Or else you love it right away. It's quite a departure from his normal works, rarely can you somewhat understand the lyrics, if there are any.
The rest is a collection of annoying noises which will either make you or your neighbours go crazy. Nothing really "musical" comes out of them.
So albeit is a rubbish of an EP, yet the first track is well worth the price, and if you're into ways of torturing people with different pitches of one noise, then you're set.

hyper spacial weirdness
Only true Aphex heads can apreciate this album. The first track offers a killer drum 'n bass journey. very hyper, withRDJ's insane trademark all over it, not run of the mill dn'b or anything. The rhythm fades out into static. It still pounds in your head and pulse as the second track begins which seems to have a distorted rhythm in keeping with the first, but then it just goes ballistic, think of tracks 2 and 3 as the inevitable comedown from the first track. Eat some chocolate covered espresso beans first and you will understand.

Raggae Mixed With Some Weird Techno
but man yeah yeah yeah its good and all that, but man, 9 dollars for three songs?! isn't that like an oxymoron?

No escape from noise
Run the place red, the first cut, is great. If you like the recent direction being taken by people like Tim Hecker and Amon Tobin, consider this the Richard D. James twist on that cut-up trend, with his trademark super hyper drum track. And, like RDJ's past stuff, suitably nightmarish and queasy.

The second two tracks are causing a bit of controversy, consisting as they do mainly of noise and analog-style knob tweaking sounds, high pitched shrieks, some distorted screams, etc. There is no beat, there is no melody, there is little apparent structure (although its marginally more structured than "Metal Machine Music," but only just so). This is some of the most uncompromising music RDJ has done, and for him that's quite a statement. Maybe this is his remix of Subotnick's "Silver Apples of the Moon". Anyway, it's not for the faint of heart. It doesn't kick ... and it doesn't make your booty move, so you might want to stay away unless you're a real noise head.

What a disapointment.
Two years, and this is all we get? The first song is decent. It has some rap/reggae guy doing his vocal thang, with RDJ's music behind the background. Except for the first 10 seconds, the music itself exceptional. Nice crazy d'n'b stuff with vocals. This song is worth getting, but not for $$$ ! The other two tracks... they are just noise. It's as if he hooked up electrodes to his recording equipment and twiddled with the knobs or something. Or maybe he had real songs and then encrypted them. Who knows! They are not music. They're most likely a sick joke by RDJ. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Goldie is jungle's most recognizable face. More than any other artist he is synonymous with drum 'n' bass. Aside from owning Metalheadz, a label at the forefront of the genre's development, he has attained public notoriety by producing Timeless, one of the most important LPs of jungle's first five years. Tracks like the moving, urban, epic tale of "Inner City Life"--a tale told in three movements--are among the tunes that define what jungle is. Others, like "Saint Angel," in which Goldie collaborates with fellow production wizards 4 hero, throb with virtually subliminal bass and electronic snarls. Other subdued and equally inspired items, including "State of Mind," combine live upright bass and drum instrumentation with the soulful wails of guest vocalist Lorna Harris. Timeless is exactly as the title implies--a classic. --Daniel Shumate ... Read more

Reviews (27)

goldie loves you...
It's hard to call this album drum n bass. There's so much more to it than what most drum n bass gives you. From lush, rolling nature atmospheres to hard hitting pitch shifts teamed with female vocals to rnb piano type thing, this album tries everything. Goldie probably got mobbed by a lot of stupid hardcore dnb fans after the release of this album, but that doesn't matter now. He's supplied the people with one of the greatest CD's of electronic music, and taken "drum n bass" about a zillion steps forward. After this came out, a new breed of dnb artists popped up, throwing more emotions and soul into their previously boring and calculated stylings. Think Roni Size and LTJ Bukem. Two of the biggest names in dnb, and I think they were greatly inspired by Mr. Goldie.

Every facet of this album cries individuality and humble importance. It starts right off with "Timeless". 21 minutes? Yeah, that's right. It really doesn't have "three parts", it is all really just one big mix of cool stuff. It has a bit of a hollow feel, actually. There aren't many things backing the song up, but in that sense, it has a drifting and freelancing quality. After that, you're bombarded with heavy dnb beats on "Saint Angel". But this bumbling yelps and wacked drums last long enough to be enjoyable and entertaining, and it runs into "State Of Mind". This is a rnb inspired track with full female vocals. It has this cool warm rain feel, supplied by harp, and it makes you feel warm inside, as well. Enter "Sea Of Tears". This is quite possibly my favorite track on this album. Piano and vocal samples paired with nature sounds to supply a moving experience. You have to really hear it to understand. "Angel". Somwhat similar to "Saint Angel". But with cool vox. "Sensual". Hard hitting pitch shifts and a female vocal sample. Quite cool! "Kemistry". Apparently dedicated to the recently deceased Kemistry and Storm dnb DJ, Kemistry. She was a mentor to Goldie, and in the insert it says she gave him much inspiration. A touching song. "You and Me" is next. Great song to close with. Cool warm piano with some piano.

Yeah, I know I'm bad at giving song descriptions, but when you listen to this album, the whole thing will be like one song. The whole thing flows quite nicely, stopping occasionally only to showcase it's superb qualities. This is one of the great albums of my generation, and it should be remembered as a classic. Or even, maybe, Timeless. (yeah, I know that sounds cheesy, but it's true).

Classic.
Look no further, lads and lassies, this is the album that defined "jungle," that unsteady skittery mix of breakbeats and deep dubby base; rhythm, but no distinct rules for it. That's jungle. No mainstream artist has ever produced anything like "Timeless." The title (and first) track consists of three parts: "Inner City Life," "Jah," and "Pressure." Twenty minutes long, but it's instantly accessible. Probably one of the only jungle /drum 'n bass tracks where the instrumental part is actually more interesting than the vocal (All of the other tracks follow suit, particularly "A Sense of Rage"). No other MAINSTREAM jungle artist can do this! C'mon, we're all grown up enough here to admit that the only interesting tracks on Roni Size's "New Forms" were the ones with vocals!

A brief history on the man himself...Goldie discovered breakbeats at London's Rage nightclub with his then girlfriend Kemistry and her DJ-ing partner Storm. Rage utilised reggae soundsystems and DJs like Grooverider to push breakbeats to new heights. After exposure to this, Goldie created "Timeless" in 1995 (if I may correct the previous reviewer), and formed the Metalheadz label, now one of the premier labels in Jungle and Drum 'n Bass. Metalheadz is now also a club in London where Goldie is king and top-notch jungle can be heard every week. LTJ Bukem, Alex Reece, Roni Size....nothing these guys have produced can touch "Timeless"...well, because it truly is.

Timeless Drum&Bass
Goldie was one of the biggest artists of Drum&Bass or Jungle as it also is called and this is his life work. A real Drum&Bass classic, it's meliodic and beautiful with great samples and female voices on some songs, far from the hardcore stuff you might think of when you hear about Drum&Bass. "Sea of Tears" is a good example of that. Another good song is "Sensual" with a female voice and slow sound mixed with fast drums. The real classic is however the 21 minute long masterpiece "Timeless". Actually it's 3 songs in it but anyway, if you just like parts of it then just listen to "Inner City Life" which was a quite big hit for him. It includes female voices, haunting sound and ofcourse the obvious drum sound. Not all songs sound the same, and that's why i like this album. If you want a rougher song, then you'll like "Saint Angel" with a weird electronic sound and fast drums. Many artists have been influented by this album, Roni Size is probably one of the biggest Drum&Bass artisst out there right now with another good album in "Life Forms" on ATB's new album there was a song called "Cabana Moon" with clear influents from this album. "Timeless" is indeed Timeless.

Best D&B of all time?
"Inner City Life" and it's various mixes must be one the drum & bass anthems anyway. Heavy beats and bass combine with soulful vocals and productions combine to make this arguably album of it's genre and it's a double CD set too. Also check out Roni Size's "New Forms", the fellow king and his legacy.

PURE GOLD!!
Steve from Miami....Pure Gold is what Goldie has created with this artwork of an album. From begining to finish.The drum beats make love to your ear like a gentle lover, and the timing is simply perfect.This is not a hardcore dnb album or "shake your body" type of sht this is simply an artisit at his best displying his definition of sounds.If your a fanatic of Goldie then this is a must have no Goldie collection is complete with out "Timeless".No Drum n bass collection is complete with out "Timeless" period. ... Read more

Album Description

2002 album for the Mercury Prize Award winning artist, hisfirst for Full Cycle Records. 16 tracks mixed by the manhimself. Includes the singles, 'Sound Advice', 'Playtime','Scrambled Eggs' & 'Serious Intentions'. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Drum n' Bass Isn't Dead
So where has drum n' bass gone? LTJ Bukem hasn't changed a whole lot. Goldie and Grooverider are the masters but nothing really new from them. Roni Size keeps chugging along. This album is a masterpiece. Darker and heavier than New Forms. I was on a search for fresh drum n' bass and my search has ended. Get this album and lets help keep drum n' bass alive. Goldie and Grooverider, lets hear some new stuff. It's not too late for the masters to take back their throne. For now, Roni is sitting there. Also check out the remix album to New Forms called Replica. It's a Japanese import, and well worth it.

Roni Size Single-Minded; Excellent!
Touching Down is a groundbreaking album for Drum and Bass featuring a determined and ambitious Roni Size. He came out strong out live on early 2002 announcing a big year and he definitely matched his predictions. As soon as the first singles came out (Sound Advice, Playtime) they became drum and bass anthems moving crowds around the world, stretching the boundaries of sound at is maximum. And they kept coming: Scrambled Eggs, Feel the Heat, etc.

Unlike any previous Roni Size releases such as "In the Mode" and "New Forms," in this album, Size has no collaboration from other Reprasent or Full Cycle members such as Dynamite, Suv, Die or Krust. With almost no lyrics; this album features Roni Size solo, his virtues as a composer and producer. It presents Roni Size clean; his pure musical mind and his great artistic creativity.

Original and fresh, innovative, what more to say... Who but Size can include a harp in the composition of "electronic music" and get away with it brilliantly? This album mixes soft and harsh sounds, classic and new, and unexpected drum and bass elements. The result is a Roni Size's gift to Full Cycle records that will definitely make musical history and be talked about and played around the world. Once again Roni Size proves that Drum and Bass is here to stay and climbing to new heights.

Dont believe the hype
This album is nothing like Roni's last album: the beats and breaks here are completely repetitive. Listen to one song and you've basically listened to the whole album. No guest vocals either, nothing experimental or new. Just a plain album. A real let-down after his last album. The album had potential, but didn't fulfill my expectations. Get Aphrodite's last album instead. Much better.

absolutely avoid this album
this is one of the worst album i've ever bought it's too heavy for my tastes, i prefere something like "new forms" or even "in the mode" but surely not this one.... i think the first two where very sperimental records and (above all the first record) where good cds but this one is cheap teeny music i think it will be a 15ers choice...when the kids will grow they'll tear apart this album for something better i hope!!!! (i gave it 1 star cuz you can't give 0 stars!!!)

Good album but
I like this album but just kind of think it's more of the same. Good album to have but I would buy New Forms before this album. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

For those that don't know...
...this is called "BOOTY HOUSE"

Recognize

Excellent music for the un-offendable
Off the Chain for the Y2k is a very fine full set by DJ Assault (except the first three tracks, which are excellent stand-alone "bonus" tracks). I cannot recommend this album too highly to anyone looking for good, fast techno. I offer that recommendation with the following subtext - DJ Assault is RAW. Look at his song titles and listen to the samples. If you are still smiling when you are done, do not hesitate to get this album and put it on repeat. If you find the titles and samples to be the worst sort of misogynist obscenity, you are correct - go buy this album anyway and listen to it until you feel differently.

best dance mix cd ever
this is by far the best dj mix out on the market so far, it has techno and pop and many songs integrated into it. buy it now ... Read more

Reviews (2)

this is great stuff
I really liked this cd, good beats, "Human pony girl" is my favorite song, cause of the diversity of sounds. I got this cd, because i heard a song by them on the Tigerbeat6 compilation and oh my the song that is on that compilation compared to the songs on this cd are just a little different. Short and sweet.

ebonic karate
Straight from your Radio nearly did me in this weekend. Gold Chains invited me in for drinks, seduced me, locked the door, shoved me in a box. Seriously, that's how I felt after listening to this EP. Lemme 'splain...

My vision of the immaculate creation of Topher Lafata, the MC, lover, pimp, thug, and genius behind Gold Chains: lonely bike messenger/web programmer who devours every issue of URB sees nine-hour docu-drama on hip-hop culture. Something snaps inside of him. He downloads shareware music program and fuses new found insanity with his '80s synth-pop sensibility and lo-fi approach. The result is a world with a mythology that has me enthralled.

The disc opens with "Straight From Your Radio", a romp of alien gangsta lyrics ("10,000 years ago I invented rhyme with a couple of cobras and a Chinese chime") and a mix of hip-hop, industrial, gabber and acid beats, sliding effortlessly between shuffle and straight four-on-the-four. "I Treat Your Cootchie Like a Maze" combines a similar vocal style with musical genres that would destroy most artists' careers (Baha Men-style shouting, accordion, house beats and an industrial-style bridge). Once again, Lafata pulls it off gracefully, with tongue in cheek wit. "Let's Make It" shifts gears into full-on electroclash and a falsetto vocal that would make Beck blush. Lafata quickly returns to his pimp role on "Mountains of Coke", then finishes off with the exciting eighties synth-pop-inspired "Human Pony Girl".

I can't think of another artist who compares with Gold Chains -- and that's a good thing. Maybe the fun of Bogdan Raczynski meets Schooly D meets eighties cult band Vicious Pink. On paper this sounds like the nightmarish collage-work of a studio-bound madman. However, Gold Chains' persuasion convinces the listener that "this is how it is, yo". Lafata's eclectic mix of genres makes sense because he does it buffet-style, gleaning the surface of each rather than making a full meal of any particular style. If you love progressive hip-hop, live for laptop rock or enjoy a bit of both, Straight From Your Radio will be your new addiction of choice ... Read more

Album Details

Studio Distribution proudly presents a quintessential 3CD collection taken from the huge !K7 'Electro Boogie' series of mix CD's. This boxset features three mixes by Dave Clark, Depth Charge and Aux 88. Includes tracks by: The Unknown DJ, DJ Assault, Aux 88, Third Electric, Soft Cell, Octagon Man, Drexciya and many more! also contains an 'Old Skool Cut Up' featuring: DJ Jazzy Jeff & Fresh Prince, Dopplereffekt, World Class Wreckin Cru, Knights of the Turntable, Unknown DJ, KT-19941 & Hi-Fi 3. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

If you like Electro, then here is your religion:
First off, this is really a 3 album box set, consisting of 'AUX 88 Presents Electro Boogie', 'Dave Clarke Presents Electro Boogie Vol II The Throwdown', and 'Depth Charge Presents Electro Boogie'. Being that these are three seperate CDs, they should be reviewed accordingly.

AUX 88's disc isn't mixed very well. Still, the track listing is there. A good set as long as you can get past the poor mixing.

Dave Clarke's disc is the best mixed of the three and his track selection is really good. Electro electro electro. The last track is his 'Old Skool Cut Up', where he spends 12 mintues doing an hip-hop/electro collage.

Depth Charge's set is by far the best. It's very bazarre, and wickedly cool. Check out 'Little Computer People', it's a great track. Also notice 'Tainted Love' in the track listing. To answer your question, yes, that is the Soft Cell track. This just goes to show you how daring this mix is.

Overall, this is an excellent box set. ... ... Read more

Album Details

Three More Mixes of Title Track - Grooverider Remix, Opital Remix, Short Temper Mix. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Grooverider remix kicks!
I can't tell if this is the version of this single with the grooverider and Ed Rush/Optical remixes. The original version of this song just doesn't quite work, and Grooverider reinterprets it for the dancefloor as probablythe best argument yet to mix jungle and metal. (with the origianl mix beingone of the best arguments against). Ed Rush and Optical do somethingsimilar, but not quite as impressive. This would get five stars if itweren't for the original. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

cali4nia drum and base
Hereitc and Josh Swissman break out with the fattest jungle ive heard! The first time i heard this i was in love, i just had to get a copy of my own. A true drum and bass rarity, you wont find anything this good in your local mall! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Robo Acid Circus Electronicus....with your ring leader: Otto
If the world wasn't crazy, Otto von Schirach would be on TRL. His music is something to behold. Everyone seems to talk about Squarepusher, Venetian Snares, Richard Devine, Autechre, etc., etc.....Otto is in his own category. The music of Otto von Schirach is akin to Tom Waits driving an ice cream into a blender full of PCP and pickle juice. The man rhymes, sings, entones, and basically mangles speakers with extremly sharp and bright frequencies high and low. At high volumes, this music has a strange effect on my dog (and my dogs). Amazingly, Otto appears to be evolving quickly. I have the first 2 of the 3 12"'s that will combine to comprise Ear Juice Synthesis, and am highly impressed. They are steps ahead of Escalo Frio, which was leaps and bounds ahead of 8000 B.C. Otto is definately an artist to watch, furthering Schematic's reputation as one of the most consistent and best Electronic Music labels on Earth. I reccomend immediately buying everything in Schematic's catalog on vinyl and on CD. I did it, and look at me.

imagine, if you will...
the sounds of skinny puppy (noise-beat era), autechre (tri repetae era) & the slightest tinge of kool keith all mixed together as one. that's what we have here. if you like that type of thing, you will like this. this is a very talented individual. he knows exactly what he is doing. this and 8,000 B.C. are the best (and easiest access) points to start with otto's stuff. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

A classic case of half the album good, half naff...
Firstly, the production on this album is fantastic- clear, crisp and precise- true audio pleasure. Sadly, not all the tracks are much to write home about. 'Mother Vip' is a work of dark and twisted brilliance and'What you won't do' is effortlessly cool.
'HyenaI' and 'Kaiser Salsek' are also well crafted tracks. The rest of the album is dull and lurching, the two penultimate tracks are scarcely worth listening to and the Left Hand Man mix of 'What You Won't Do For Love' is not bad without being much special. My version of the album does not include the final three tracks listed so I can not comment on them, however I would recommend this album to those of you after something a little more unconventional than your usual jump-up drumnbass.Definetly worth a listen...

just the jungle , PLEASE...
Timeless , we all agree was the lick. The follow-up ROS just got too experimental. Drum and Bass fans definately pick this one up, but , if this is your first venture check else where. Goldie you're the man but let's get back to the basics.

Nothing like the new mix Incredible
This album isn't all that good, but await the new album Incredible

Better than Saternz Return.
But he needs something better, or a good kickin'. Whats up Goldie mate?? eh? girlfriend dump you or something. If so sorry to hear it mate but just cheer up ok? nice one. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Far Beyond Expectations
I consider this to be one of the best works from Andrew Coleman, aka Animals On Wheels. Skittering breakbeats over ambient-style instrumentals, some of the tracks feature extremely whacked out jazz samples including one from a piece by Thelonius Monk. The melodic structure of the songs is beautiful and engaging. Although it shares certain stylistic elements of Drum & Bass style music, you won't ever hear the "funky drummer" (at least in any recognizable form). Genre-wise, it was at the forefront of what they started calling "click hop" or "drill and bass", but even so the quality of the melodic structure is unique among those genres. If you're into electronica/IDM, you should certainly explore the entire Animals on Wheels catalog, as well as Andrew Coleman's solo material which is also very good. Catch up with Andrew at animalsonwheels dot com.

OFF DESIGN ALBUM
VERY COMMON MUSIC LACKING ANY IDENTITY OR GROUND BREAKING FACTORS ,WITH LOTS OF DRAMS 'N' BASS,KICK DRUMS AND JUNGLE BEATS RUNNING EFFORTLESSLY TO COMBINE UNHARMONIZED MELODIES.IT'S OK FOR THIS GENRE LOVERS, LIKE FATBOY SLIM,BUT THIS ONE IS FAR BEYOND WHAT U EXPECT.I RATHER CALL THE TITLE OF THIS ALBUM "MISTAKES IN SOUND SESIGN".

Shagadelic Baby!
Animals on Wheels are Head and Shoulders above the rest with their amazing "Fall like Dandruff". It will entrance you ... Read more

Reviews (5)

One of the Best efforts in the "Logical Progression" series
Mc Conrad finally gets to lend his considerable talents to part of the ongoing "Logical Progression" series, and seeing as he's been a mainstay from it's early beginnings, it seems only natural that he gets to compile an influential tracklisting of his chosen tracks.

Firstly if your considering buying this, It's strongly recommended that you track down the limited 3 Disk edition (which is the version that's been reviewed here). As it adds a superb 3rd disk of remixes, that are worthy of a standalone release by itself. (although bear in mind, that this is also much harder to come by, but more than worth the effort).

The album is broken down into 3 distinct regions....Disk 1(Logical progression) which along with Mc Conrad's chosen tracks, largely features Conrads vocals on the majority of tracks, and picks out a plethora of sophisticated intelligent Drum'n'Bass tracks, that centre around Conrad's commanding vocal.....the highlights include: "Halcyon Voyage / Logical / Malik", and for such a accomplished tracklisting it would be hard to pick a standout, but if pushed I'd have to pick "Futures Call", it's the magnificent vocal breakdown with a slight Rhythm & blues feel, that's is as stylish as it is refined. Heavy emphasis on keyboard earmarks this track, along with production that is both confident and exemplary, and based on this evidence Conrad has produced a disk truly worthy of the 'logical progression' brand.

Disk 2 (studio Exclusives) seems to be pitched as more of a rarities disk, with either material that is exclusive to this album or more likely tracks that also featured on a handful of releases, and are not as widely known, and feel a little more experimental with the sound, and possibly tracks that seem ideally suited to Bukem's own "Earth" series (which compiles various artists, with various musical fusions of Drum'n'Bass/Breakbeat). Not that this disk is any less worthy, and although it is an instrumental disk, such is the proficiency of material here (Big Bud - Indian Summer / Makato's- - Take my Soul Baby / Future Engineers - Merge / Nookie's - Solstice), that the material here arguably stands up as well as the first disk. In fact it could be argued that people that like a little more experimentation in their music may consider this the superior disk.

The Final disk (Disk 3), is solely devoted to remixes, and so some of this will & won't be familiar to listeners. What everyone will agree on is that this is one mere filler remix disk bolted on to the album, in an effort to charge more, as Makoto's remix of "Future's Call" is arguably superior to the original, and more diligently arranged. Rantoul's interpretation of "Strategies & Plans" deserves a mention of its instrumental bliss, and is as much downtempo electronica, as it is intelligent D'N'B, the warm keyboards evoke memories of prime era 'Stevie wonder', and remain strangely hypnotic. And with further excellent remixes by "PFM / Big Bud / PHD / Blame....etc", Conrad by keeping a tight control on the quality his maintained an exceptionally high standard of quality throughout this disk (in fact this is applicable to all of the disks).

This edition of the "Logical Progression" is probably (after the original Bukem effort) the finest in the Logical progression series, sure....Bukem's effort is still the defining moment in the series, but to detract from this albums sheer brilliance would be unfair. For an album that spreads 27 tracks across 3 Cd's, you'd be forgiven for thinking that there'd be a lot of filler mixed in amongst this. And fortunately you'd be wrong, not only has Conrad complied an album to rank amongst the best in the series, but he's also devised one of the strongest triple albums seen in many years........essential to anyone with a passing interest in this form of music.

This may be even more bigger than the first LogProg !
The MCd CD is such a compilation of very different kinds of music that expands your mind to its extremities. What these guys offer is revolutionary. Very recommended to all the open-minded listeners. Be careful !!! Its rather a strong experience.

Good set from Good Looking
So I was initially a little hesistant to get LP4 since it is presented by MC Conrad and in fact CD1 is all tracks by him and his band.

I don't mind MC Conrad but usually prefer a set without him. But I was amazed at how much I liked CD 1. He actually only raps over 4 or five of the tracks, with others being instrumentals and a version of 'Logical' from PS5 with female vocals laid over it. Also the tracks he does do vocals on are a cut above his older stuff (though you do still hear some of the same old lines like the bit about spaghetti..) Over all the tracks are fairly mellow, sort of similar to some of Big Buds recent stuff.

CD 2 has some great tracks as well. Especially 'Merge' by Future Engineers. It was this track that convinced me to buy the CD and it is well worth it. Admittedly I love everything the Future Engineers do, but this track is absolutely amazing..

Also the version I picked up is actually a Limited 3CD set where the third CD is all remixes of the tracks of CD1 by various Good Looking folks (i.e. Blame, Nookie, Big Bud, etc.). So if you can find that I'd recomend it over the 2CD set since in this case it was the same price..

CLASSIC D&B FOR REAL HEADS
LTJ Bukem and the Good Looking camp do it again, opening hearts to the magic of Drum & Bass. Definitley pick up this release! I am lucky enought to have it on vinyl to DJ at clubs. I LOVE D&B!!

jack
very disappointed with the cd. Does not live up to the hype...sorry...but not as sorry as I am now that I am stuck with a cd and won't play it anymore...oh well ... Read more

Album Description

2002 reissue of their beautiful third album originallyreleased in the winter of 2001. This limited version nowincludes a bonus 10 track CD featuring, 'Sweet (Soul ChildRadio Mix)', 'B-Line (Andy Votel Remix)', 'Gold(Hiphoptimist Alchemy Mix)', 'God Bless (Pulsinger Mix)','Transfatty Acid (Kruder & Dorfmeister Session Mix)','Cotton Wool (Fila Brazilia Mix)', 'Gorecki (Live InBrussels)', 'Sweet (Live In Brussels)', 'Sweetheart (LiveIn Brussels)' & 'Bonfire (Live In Brussels)'. Features allnew artwork. Packaged in a slimline double jewel case. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Talent and its Multiple Expressive Outlets
Lamb has been known to bounce all over the spectrum of electro-anthems, sometimes introducing the soothing sensations of a melodically calming voice into a fray that was previously lorded over by maddening beats and sometimes taking something beautiful and crafting a lovely rendition of madness around it. This seems to be one of their multiple talents; to take strange components and to make beauty out of them. Still, compared to the previous releases by the band, "What Sound" is something of a tame homage to the spectacles of the past. This isn't to say that it is bad in any way because that is far from the case, it is just that this calmer, less chaotic adaptation of ethereally haunting sounds came as somewhat of a surprise. Worse still, it came as a surprise that many people missed. The series Six Feet Under, aired on HBO, actually brought this album to light somewhat by adding the hauntingly surreal track "heaven" into their list of songs. Before then, many of Lamb's US audience weren't aware that Fear of Fours had been supplanted by something newer. This was a sad affair, too, because the album is actually a nice progression in the evolution of a talented duo.

Some of the songs here are haunting in their own rights and some are simply flavors that I have to be in the mood for, making it a difficult album for me to work all the way through in one setting. Still, I can't leave the album alone because there are so many pieces showcased herein that are wonderful works of art, done with almost surreal vocals and sometimes surprisingly soothing instrumentation. This is especially true of "Heaven," which seems almost spectral in its haunting mix of vocals and sounds, and in the love song to her angel, "Gabriel." Others take different approaches and achieve the same ends, like the bizarre inclusion of "I cry," for instance, which is something somber that is placed to an oddly achieved minimalist beat, or both "Sweetheart" and "Small," which use a strange array of incorporated sounds to forge oddly catchy beats. This isn't to say that the album is without accelerated tempos either, because "scratch Bass" moves along nicely and even "Sweet" does so to a lesser extend. Still, if you're expecting the same versions of Lamb you've seen before, this is something using a different approach. - Also included with the re-release is a second album filled with remixes, something I won't cover because, well, they are simply old songs with new masks to wear.

Its hard to recommend this to fans of Lamb, because some people simply do not seem to like it. I'm not certain why, exactly, because the album still has most of the major components that the other albums had within them. I personally find it highly enjoyable and liked "Lamb" and "Fear of Fours" as well, but would tell anyone thinking of purchasing it to reset their mindset first. Then, you will find something that is enjoyable on another in ways you liked and new ways as well.

Very emotional Trip Hop Cd
This is an extreme work of art I love this cd. It took me a while to get to it, but it has become a cult favorite. After "Fear of Fours" I began to doubt there abilities because it sounded like Demon Music. But this cd is a beautiful work of art. With producer like Guy Sigsworth (Bjorks Producer.) how can you go wrong. If you are looking for other quality trip hop artist with emotion look for Mandalay,Santessa and Airlock.

back
after fear of fours, they relaxed a little and just let go...this album is like the first its
quality...

...for someone looking for something real.
The first time i heard Lamb was live and what suprised me was their ability to keep the atmosphere as energetic yet gentle as the music. But more powerful than this, Lamb maintain this energy in their recorded work. Their beautifully abstract music is held together by touching lyrics that offer insight, if you're willing to hear them. 'What Sound' is fresh and intense but not as driven as 'Lamb'-their earlier work. There is, however, no need for compensation as 'What Sound' continues their constant raw explanation of love. 'Gabriel' is simple and perfect. This is a fine musical achievement - daring and sacred. ... Read more

Amazon.com

When Kemi Olusanya, one half of the jungle DJ duo Kemistry & Storm, died in a car accident on April 25, 1999, she took a big chunk of drum & bass history with her. Along with partner Storm, in '92 Kemistry first convinced Goldie to check out Grooverider and Fabio's legendary hardcore night at Rave, the birthplace of jungle. Goldie launched his Metalheadz label soon after, and Kemistry did a lot of the day-to-day management and helped discover such breakbeat microsurgeons as Photek and Adam F.

Kem & Storm's status as torchbearers--not to mention as superb mixers--meant they had access to dub plates and advance promos before most jungle DJs did. But their insider standing is a little too apparent on DJ Kicks, which finds them hewing closer to the jungle party line than most parties might like. Program your player to infinite loop, and you can start listening any place you want--at track 1, Dom & Roland's impressively gloomy "Trauma"; at track 9, Decoder's impressively gloomy "Stash"; or at track 12, John B's impressively gloomy "Pressure." It really doesn't matter. Wherever you start, wherever you finish, you'll wind up in the same condition: impressed, and, sure enough, slightly gloomy. The tracks compiled here, though expertly woven together, abide by the relentless march so much of the music has become. Every track is excellent in its own right--who can argue with Dillinja, DJ Die, or J Majik?--and in fact no CD offers a better snapshot of big-label jungle circa 1998. But the surprise, innovation, and good times you'll find on some of the music's second-tier labels aren't here. That doesn't make DJ Kicks bad--in its own monochromatic way it's quite bracing--but it does make it an unsatisfactory swan song for one of jungle's great figures. --Jeff Salamon ... Read more

Reviews (11)

resparked my interest in dark drum n bass
one of the better collections out there (another good one is grooverider pure dnb 2). the strength/weakness is that almost all the tracks sound the same. personally i like this consistency-- they maintain nice tight atmospherics and keep the rhythm pounding. i especially like the tracks that incorporate snippets of NON-DIVA-ISH vocals, e.g. the haunted voice midway through the mix muttering "now things are closing in..." Closing in is the right phrase, this is a claustrophobic skittering set with tension & no release. nice tracks from bill riley, john b, digital & spirit, & the usual metalheadz suspects. kemistry died a few years back in a tragic auto accident, but she won't be forgotten. peace

This is how it's done
One of the few DJ mix CD's that has stood the test of time for me, I initially bought this mix after seeing Kemistry & Storm in Washington DC a week or so before the tragic car accident.

After Kemistry's death it became something different.

I've since become a hardcore drum'n'bass fanatic and I can honestly say that the best DJ's are the ones who can MIX.
Kemistry & Storm were innovators and it really comes through with this caustic and bracing 74 minute set. They never sought recognition for their track selection, yet the selection here is superb with now classics like "Clear Skies" by DJ Die, "Hyeana" by Goldie, and "Uneasy" by Jonny L. What they wanted to convey with this mix CD was a moment in time when Drum N Bass was still very volitile and experimental. They wanted to showcase the brilliant tension and precision that these tracks produce and demand of the listener. You see, its all about the MIX, and so few DJs truly understand this. LTJ Bukem, Randall, Bailey, Dieselboy and Grooverider are the other masters of this style. What made these 2 Metalheadz DJs the best of the best was championed with their extremely difficult 'double impact' style of mixing. 'Double Impact' is achieved when all of the beats, basslines and harmonies line up and are released all at once. The beats and the basslines from both records drop at the same time and you get double the impact. What should happen is that in the middle of the mix, a 3rd tune should come out of the first 2; and should only exist because of the first 2. If you want to understand what true mixing is about then pay attention to the transitions that take place in tracks 1-8. This CD is a definate must have for any potential junglist out there, and especially for the DJ who wants to learn to tell a story, and not just play a bunch of tunes.

Masters at Work!
After hearing Roni Size, DJ Krust, Amon Tobin, and a few others I feel that this cd stands up to any of these fine artist. Kemistry & Storm have put together a musical journey for serious listeners of this genre. It is a dense sound that takes no prisoners and rightly so, since anything less does no justice to this art form. Though I've heard of very few of the artist on this cd, the fact that I was still able to enjoy the music is to me a testament to the mixing skills of these two.
Every track has a mood to it, and though you may not like the mood it's certainly not trashy and vulgar(anyone heard little Kim lately?) and straight ahead jungle beats, with the exception of the Sci-clone remix "Everywhere I Go". I was sorry to hear of the death of Kemistry(it seems that we always loose the best and brightest too early)and while this may be the only cd they've done together it is worth the money and time to listen.

forboding
This is the best dark drum n bass mix I have ever heard. Listening to this well formed mixed brought me from the sidelines to trying my own hands at the decks. From begining to end, this mix takes you a journey which is something many mixes never do... yeah it is a cliche but it is true. Listening to this... you want to be a in a club, packed in, with low blue lights. All you can see are those few headz around you and some this mix pounding your ears.

buy it now.

Please spare my dog...
"As sluggish as wet cement yet as treacherous as quicksand, digital rhythm is industrialized to extreme densities, processed past the timbral spectrum of metal, reinforced to the tonecolour of concrete. Bass is synthesized from analogue frequencies..."

and so it goes on

Its impressive enough that someone could write such nonsense, but to include it in the sleeve notes is a spectacular achievement.

So, what do we really have here?

This is a drum & bass mix. But what kind? Think of witches (indulge me for a moment!). There are good witches, who cast love spells and the like, and there are evil witches, who do bad things such as turning princes into frogs.

Good drum & bass would be LTJ Bukem (check out his outstanding Logical Progression series), with his intelligent samples, delicate motifs and a focus on melody. Evil drum & bass would be...

...well, it would be this CD. This mix is the clearly the devil's work, but the involvement of the cloven-hooved one is no bad thing. In this instance, the opposite of good is not bad.

This quality of the mix is top notch, and if you fancy driving your car at 120mph while your ears bleed, this is certainly one for you.

Dark, brooding, dangerous and evil. And really quite splendid.

Kemistry & Storm may look sweet enough on the cover, but they will kick down your door and shoot your dog if you so much as glance at them! ... Read more

Amazon.com

DJ Krust has often professed not to have an overt thought process as he goes into a mix; he has said he doesn't enjoy thinking too much. He is, by self-definition, a creature of now. Which explains why this collection, and subsequent mix, is such a varied-yet-symmetrical piece of work. From the softer vocal strains of Mine's "Reel Time" straight into the self-produced black-hole darkness of his own "Freak Show," Krust creates edgy and attractive chaos while dropping in many classics along the way (his "Kloakin Device" remains one of the greatest slices of drum & bass in many a year). And what of that continuous-mix disc? Kick back, recreate, and let the wonderfully thoughtless Krust take you on an instinctual mix that underscores both his talent and his imagination. -Steffan Chirazi ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A treat from the Reprazent boys and their new label
History Lesson: Roni Size made a gigantic debut with his groundbreaking LP "New Forms", which he made along with a collective of equally artistic and bang-on artists, known together as Reprazent (which featured Krust, Die, Suv, and Onalee). Things have been quiet since that album in 1997, and if you don't count the solo Krust LP and Roni's side project Breakbeat Era, we all wondered where the gang was? Well, this comp answers that question. The groove collective known as Reprazent has formed a label named "Full Cycle" and is using "Through the Eyes" as a media kick off. It is 2 disks; disk one being some tasty tid-bits from the new stable's library, and disk two is a DJ session of many of said songs by Krust himself. The cover of this CD is black, which is important, because there is also a white cover cover (listed here in ... as same title, but as by the artist Roni Size), which has different songs on the 1st CD and has a DJ set by Roni Size on disk. ... for more info: both the CD and the site are dope. (PS - the new Roni Size/Reprazent joint is unleashed in October).

Breakz Breakz Breakz all up in yo face!
I have the Roni Size and Die presented Cd's as well. But Krust's cd really reprazents the new Through the Eyes album. CD's very in tracks so you might not get 1 or 2 on the other. Krust is the like the Grooverider for the Bristol Crew. Those are my two favorite Drum'n'bass djs! You can find three versions: Die, Size, and Krust. And I'm pretty sure Suv has one too, but not completely sure Buy the Krust version! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Best CD this year.
Gold Chains brings it up a notch and delivers the best album on 2003. The style, lyrics and sound are innovative and unique.

The 3rd Gold Chains album.
Just gave this cd the fourth listen over and I must say it is a very solid cd. A lot of good songs located on this unknown cd. If you ever get the chance, see the band live they bring even more energy to their live sets and really pump up the volume in the room.

Grab this cd, it's worth the price. Right now Gold Chains is doing their US tour after they had just finished their UK tour. ... Read more