Reviews (3)

Gargling Madwoman Beats
Panacea gets a bit experimental on this one, assisted by weird Japanese girl Hanayo. The beats aren't your usual pedal to the metal hardcore D&B, rather flitting between white noise inflected digital hardcore, chunky breakbeats and surprisingly pleasant ambient electronica. Hanayo makes some odd noises to keep the whole thing edgy and different, ranging from eating (sounds like apples) to religious mutterings (I think from Bach). I'd definitely recommend this album to those with a penchant for the twisted.

dig this
gritty and lo-fi! audio equal to pokemon and tron in a head-on collision! great soundtrack for driving thru the Marina on a hell course!

It's not DnB!
Be forewarned: this CD is NOT Panacea's typical drum n bass style music. It's more like experimental dark electronica with Panacea at the decks looping samples realtime while vocalist from Japan, Hanayo, does her own thing. The keyword here is experimental--some of the tracks were amuzing to listen to though. The CD cover art and layout inside looks pretty cool but the music just didnt appeal to me. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Don't Leave Home without it
Absolutely breathtaking...although, it would've fit better as a "Progression Sessions" album, as it's in the same format(disc 1 - vocals, disc 2 - instrumental), but the songs are pure gold.Only one problem...the track listing for disc 3 is wrong; there are 11 songs on that disc, rather than 10 as listed. Track 7 should be track 8, and so on.Other than that, an excellent album in every respect.Highly recommended! ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Garage Drum'n'bass Jazz
When I heard this album first time I thought that Amon Tobin rented a garage and made another masterpiece. It's not just a mix of drum'n'bass and jazz, it is also music of contradictions - raw but sophisticated sound, serious with some humor tunes, electronic that sometimes sounds very organic, simple and complicated, cool and exciting... the list is long. Anyway, it is one of the best in this branch of electronic music Warmly recomended!

Rhythm Combination
As already mentioned, this cd sounds very similar to the work of Amon Tobin, however, I think there are considerable differences. Gilberto incorporates aspects of both funk (insane funk keys similar to Hancock's Headhunters) and jazz fusion (especially in regards to the bass), while Tobin samples mostly from traditional jazz. The sampled sax work is pretty similar; however, I don't think I am more partial to one album over the other. Gilberto also uses more vocal samples than Tobin does and many of them are hilarious (ex:Attn. K-Mart shoppers). Gilberto's music is also much more varied than Tobin's. Deliver the Weird sounds very similar to early squarepusher (especially the bass work), which I find to be a good thing. The last track, ridiculo, explores a tangent similar to the work of mu-ziq. Every single track is cohesive and charged with ample doses of rhythm, melody, and (most importantly) groove.

Sounds a lot more like Squarepusher to me.
Some of these songs sound like they sampled Squarepusher, were done by Tom J. himself, or just ripped him off. Anyway, they're very well done, similar to and nearly as good as say, Hard Normal Daddy or Big Loada. I suppose many of the songs sound similar to Amon Tobin as well, but I guess I just don't notice it as much. Probably because I prefer Squarepusher. (Although I certainly admire Mr. Tobin a lot as well.) Some of these tracks are really great and make me wanna get down and hyperfunky, but then sometimes they get kinda stale for me. Recommended.

Amon Tobin's First Cousin Delivers The Weird
When I first heard this, I thought the same thing that a lot of people thought: "What's Amon Tobin doing with yet another pseudonym?" However, closer inspection reveals similar influences but rather different results. Whereas Amon Tobin's pieces, particularly his later works, seem to have an underlying structure and several repeated themes, Gilberto's seem chaotic and more improvisational, at times meshing to points of brilliance, and occasionally disintegrating to dullness or apparent randomness. I'm generally not a fan of the cartoon samples either. The one at the end of the title cut to me messes up a really neat ending.
My favorite pieces:
I Was Young And I Needed The Money - The title cut is a good intro to Gilberto's style. The heavy drum'n'bossa influence is strongly apparent here, and the choral theme that appears a few times is my favorite part. This song, or portions thereof, was also featured in an interesting indie short I saw on Atom Films called Black XXXMas (no, it's not porn).
Giant Jumps - This song starts off with the usual weird stuff, and then coalesces into an electronic take on a hot jazz session. There are definitely echoes of jazz classic "Giant Steps" in here.
Earth Vs Me - The intro to this song is just slamming junglesque noise, the intricacies of which you could explore for a good while. I found myself replaying the first minute of this song and listening to the transitions. Lovers of Squarepusher's "Come Now My Selecta" would dig the opening, but the flavor does change a bit and it mellows out to a pretty solid track with the typical Gilberto influences.
Soulbath - This song would be at home on any smooth jazz station, and goes full on into the jazz portion of his interests. The guitar and the steady beat make for a nod-your-head, drink-in-your-hand summer afternoon kind of track.
There are some other great tracks on here as well, but these are the standouts that I replay the most.
I give it 4 stars for originality and quality, I'm reserving the 5th star because I had negative feelings about a couple of tracks and other details.

...this needs ritalin...
...i have listened to this several times and still dont know what to make of it...my reactions veer from "whutha'ell!?!" to "whutha'fu#k?!?"....enjoyable, omost pleasant one moment; jus plain noisy the next.
the best way for me to describe this is if you let a romper room full of hyperactive kids have access to some jazz records, a sampler, a recording studio and chocolate!!!
electronic-freejazz-on-acid...
even tho i gave it four stars i might give it only one tomorrow...and then five stars the day after that!
this is the armeggedon filtered thru the ghost of dizzy gillespie and medeski, martin & wood...
both calming and chaotic! (and now my head hurts!).... ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Drum & Bass.........on another level
I chose this CD by way of ol' school play ground tactics, "Eeny-meeny-miney-mo!" I had to choose between their old release and this one. A friend told me about Lamb, but didn't tell me there was more than one CD. I didn't want to buy both because they both could've been garbage. My only sample of their music was from The K&D Sessions CD by Kruder & Dorfmeister. The track "Transfatty Acid - Lamb" was one of my favorites on the CD. I'm glad I was able to purchase the Double CD versions of "Fear Of Fours" that included the Transfatty Acid mix. I really feeling this CD and the clever beats and drum bass that these kats bring to the game. Like another reviewer wrote: "The vocals aren't best" but in my opinion the beats and bass lines over shadows any vocals. My taste in drum & bass has grown extensively in the past year and the CD is welcomed with open ears.

oNe

Americans luck out on Lamb
Sometimes it's worth the wait, and for "Fear of Fours" this definatly holds true. So, It's been out for over a month in the UK, but do they get the extra CD? Nooo...it's an exclusive..well, sort of. None of these tracks are really all that rare. It's just that most of them weren't released here in the US. The b-line and Goreki remixes were pulled from the two UK b-line singles, the Cottonwool remix is actually a hidden track on the first album, and the other two remixes were pulled from UK singles as well. These are some of the best remixes of Lamb songs, although it might have been nice to have added the Little Things remix from the b-line single, and maybe The Night Has a Thousand Eyes, a b-side from one of the All In Your Hands UK singles. Also, it's not really a box set, it just contains an extra CD. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

The second CD is PURE
like the other Logical Progression cds, this is ambient/drum & bass at it's best. perfect background music for working on the computer...

GOOD VIBE
throw this cd down in an open space with wood floors. the sound is uniquely configured to bounce happily off of walls and fill some stage somewhere with a black man tryin to rap to fast drum & bass/ambient. and the ambient is what succeeds the best. this cd lays down a nice river of bass and drum.

100% Gold
I couldn't agree more with the other reviews. This is my 4th LTJ Bukem CD purchase and it is the best!!!! WOW! Deep-down drum and Bass grooves mixed with live instruments makes for an incredible combination. And to make things even better, its a 2 CD set. The first half is the live concert recording, the second CD is a collection of some hard-to-find studio remixes . - veeeeeeeeeeery groovy..

Unique session - drum'n'bass live !
Have you ever heard that any kind of d'n'b is basically techno music and so soulless and cold? If somebody says that just put on this Intense LIVE record. Usually 'live' means that the DJ mixes live but here all the instruments sound live! Musicians present all the sounds. That is what I was always looking for! Simply the perfect combination. It's a must for the ones whose musical interest extends wider than electro.

Don't ask, just buy!
I got hooked on the progression series from wearing out my copy of volume 1. This album is pretty sweet because the first disc is live. MC Conrad rips up the vocals over the unbelievable tracks these guys lay down. It's pretty impressive to play as accurate as they can live. This disc wil NOT leave the player! Disc 2 is pretty cool too. If you like the first logical progression, you'll like this. All the tracks are very smooth and just sound great together. LTJ Bukem is a genius! BUY IT! ... Read more

Album Details

Lounge. K7 is Proud to Present 'soul Food', the Debut Album from Good Looking's Downtempo, Funky Sister Label Cookin Records. This Album is a Collection of Chilled Out, Spicy Grooves to Soothe the Soul & Warm the Dancefloor! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Stunning
I've been a fan of Bukem and his labels for a long time now, and this is one of my favorite releases (along with the Intense live cd from Logical Progression 3). It isn't drum n' bass, it's more downtempo, and it rolls with 70's style funk. If you ever need to prove to a friend that electronic music isn't just about dancing and beats, play this cd for them. If it can't open their eyes for them, then nothing will. Thank goodness for Bukem. He and his labels offer a welcome departure from the typical hardness of drum n' bass.

One of the best downbeat cds of the year
Buy this if you liked any of the Earth compilations.It has no drum and bass tracks but don't see this as a bad thing because every tune has a lush,jazzy feel that means quick bpms are not vital to make a decent tune.There are many 70s influences within the songs that gives the whole cd a kind of moody soundtrack feel.The addition of live musicians means that the songs have an organic feel that bely their machine fed origins.Essential. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

There ought to be a law
The REAL UFO is a British hard rock band that has been recording since 1972 and is still in business. How someone else is able to (mis)appropriate their name simply by putting an exclamation point after it is a matter that a good attorney should look into.

Straight-up Dark DnB
UFO! has got to be one of the most tallented dnb Djs from Phunckateck crew that I have heard. I've seen him live a few times and I was fairly impressed, with his deep dark driven bass tracks. Well his cd is exactlly how he plays live. If you like your dnb dark I gaurante that you'll love this cd. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Pretty nice right.
One thing Goldie is good at is variety. I like Dieselboy sure, but Ive heard him live and some of his cds, and many Drum N Bass djs mix cds, are sometimes too flowing, liek all the tracks are too similar. But Golde is good at picking all sorts of different styles and making them flow.

Is a bit commercial, with alot of anthems thrown in, but its still a nice mix.

What's better is the 2-disc English import version, more tracks, some longer, so on. Which is actually annoying, the English version of his "Incredible Sound Of...." included many more tracks too. Why does he take out tracks, and here a whole cd's worth on the American releases?

Oh well, again, its nice. Buy it, used if you can, or new if yuove got the spare money.

Slammin' drum'n'bass mix!
Goldie is probably the one of the most creative and amazing DJ's ever. His last CD,"Incredible sounds of..." was awesome beyond description,but this makes the cut as well. It's really just a great record to listen to at 2-3:00 in the morning: Danceable and just fun to hear. Check out more Moonshine and Thrustthedj releases. It's awesome stuff.

not really Goldie
This is a very top 20 hit tracks of dnb type mix cd. And do not think that this is some kind of Goldie launched mission. He has signed to trustthedj.com who is marketing him and selling his mix cds (they have a deal with Moonshine to sell this in the USA).

Once again over-marketing has killed whatever good might have been able to come out of Goldie. If you want to hear the "Goldie" sound get the latest Platinum Breaks 3. It is much more like a live Goldie show rather than this.

If you want to hear the latest popular sounds in drum and bass get this album. If you are specifically looking for the Goldie sound... look elsewhere.

Dirty Beats for Jungle Freaks...
Goldie has been inside the world of Drum and Bass for as long as it has been a vaild musical form. Can he still deliver his heart pounding style of mixing, and top end selection? Well if you want the nastiest of beats, yes he does.

This albums sound is so hard to describe because of it's flowing style. It moves aroud all areas of hardcore beats. It does, however, deliver all that has made Drum and Bass what it is today. Deep dark disgusting basslines, crispy crunchy drums, and minimal vocals, mostly for punctuation.

This is a must have for any serious D-n-B fan. If this is your first trip into the genre, I envy your luck in finding this album.

why is there singing?
for goldie, it's a pretty good example of proprer mixology. the tracks are solid, but i just can't stand lyrics in my jungle, unless it's rastafarian stuff. minimal vocalization would make this cd a five star, by my count. ... Read more

Album Description

Celestial Records: "Celestial Squadron"16 tracks from the Celestial house of hits including songs by Naptron, Supernatural, Alien Nation, Phoenix Orion, Hive, Ellay Khule & DK Toon, Acey & Jupiter, Unseen Master and the Helmet Kidz. You'll listen to over 62 minutes of music made up of 12 previously released tracks (from the 12"s or LPs) and 4 forthcoming songs. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Unique and crazy at the same time...
I am getting sick of the average, typical music that is so popular today... This album is very differant than the commercial music out there... and it's only five dollars...that is why I bought it and the fact that I like Hive... but after listening to the whole album I take it everywhere

Cyberspace G-lowrider Funky Stuff
El Chupacabra, Body Snatchers, Close encounters. I think that you'll find aliens exsist inside our midst! Sweet, new, and very spooky! This is a complilation that should be in everyones hiphop collection. "X-files" meets Menace to Society" with some deaf back to Cybertron beats. If you think that Rap has been stagnant then listen to some of what The Celestial Squadron has to offer. ... Read more

Amazon.com

A virtual pioneer in the realm of breakbeat, Danny "LTJ" Bukem first came into prominence as a DJ at Speed, a London nightclub that catered to the celebrated drum & bass cognoscenti. With his influential Good Looking and Looking Good music labels now quite popular in the U.K., Bukem also has a solid reputation as a producer and record executive. This double disc is a compilation of several outstanding Bukem performances, along with a number of remixed tracks by his favorite drum & bass compatriots. Including classic cuts by progressive electronic artists like Photek, DJ Crystl, and Peshay, LTJ Bukem has compiled a cutting-edge collection of studio/hardware-based dance music which proudly display mid-nineties breakbeat innovations straight out of the United Kingdom. This one's highly recommended. --Mitch Myers ... Read more

Reviews (37)

One of the finest drum and bass recordings
Logical Progression is my favorite drum and bass album of all time. Sometimes very jazzy, I really enjoy LTJ Bukem's approach to jungle, fusing light, melody, female vocals, atmosphere and natural soundscapes over a clean, smooth drum line and deep soulful bass. It is a lot more relaxing than some of the harder, darker, more threatening, more repetitive jungle. The first Cd is a collection of singles from Bukem's label, Good Looking. It includes Peshay, PFM, Chameleon, Aquarius and Tayla, and Bukem himself. "Horizons" and "Demons Theme" are two outstanding Bukem tracks that truley demonstrate Bukem's approach to melody in Jungle. PFM's "Western" features Bukems MC, Conrad, and proves Conrad's versatility. The second disc is a Dj Mix by Bukem. His mixing is flawless and he creates a mix in which the breaks, synth lines, and atmospheres crossover without any notice, and it sounds like one continuual piece of music with many dimensions. I would recommend this cd to any one into electronic music, or anyone with an open mind. If you enjoy this you should check out the first Promised Land, a dj mix with Bukem and Conrad, or try to track down Regression Sessions another Bukem Dj set.

correction
In my review I incorrectly compared 'so long' on disc b to an Aphex Twin piece. It is 'dannys song' on disc a I meant. Sorry about that.

Neither good dnb nor ambient
This compilation is likable after listenieng to it a few times but it lacks both originality and excitement in my opinion. Almost all tracks follow the same pattern, the drums are rather uniform making it sound like d'n'b had nothing more to offer. If you like smooth repetitive grooves than it may be your thing but if you want to listen to some good d'n'b check the likes of Roni Size or Talving Singh instead. There are a few pieces that have some interesting loops and rhythms and a good ambiental feeling to it (note though "So Long" on disc b seems to be influenced by #5, disc 1 on Selected Ambient Works vol.II by Aphex Twin) but these are few and far between to make up for the overall dull feeling of the compilation.

Good, but gets old fast
This is a fun album, but drum and bass gets old- and fast. If you're like me you'll find that after a few weeks of fairly regular listening it will mysteriously slip to the back of your CD collection, where it will probably collect dust for some time to come. It's more a novelty than anything else. Less music and more technical wizardry, Bukem is no doubt a talented man when he's on his machines, but his musical vision is so narrow that the album quickly bores the listener. Drum and bass isn't a very diverse genre anyway, and after you hear variations on the same drum sequences, you'll see what I mean. The reason this and other mediocre albums get such rave reviews is because of the unusual cult following that drum and bass music seems to have. Like much "underground" music, those who follow it do so with a near religious fervor. Look around, you'll see that most drum and bass albums either get five stars or one star. A narrow genre usually acquires fanatical followers with narrow musical appreciation so this is no surprise. Just be warned. It's a fun album, but it will wear you down quick.

Great CD
This has one of the best intelligent drum&bass beats I have heard so far. Good to dance to as well as kickin back too also, so buy this cd! ... Read more

Album Details

Drum and Bass. This Volume Delivers 12 New Cuts of High Quality, Progressive, Electronic Soul Music - Deep House, Jazz-Funk, Drum N Bass and Latin. Hand Picked by Ltj Bukem. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

brilliant construction
The album starts off in a 'film noir'-esq style jazz and expands into a sun-sparkled and upliftling series of jazz-funky tunes. With some soothing female vocal work this vol. 4 collection is great for reflective moments enstilling peace and pleasure. Most chill and beautifully crafted with some 'good-looking' talent ;).
Danny Bukem is way, way out there.

Very chill
Like the last review said, this is not a jungle album. The Earth series the LTJ Bukem is occupied with smooth house, r&b, and what might be considered tip-hop. If you like Kruder and Dorfmeister you'll enjoy this too. A great album to chill out to ( I also use it for studying ), my favorite track from this is John Beltran's Aztec Girl. It has a great vocal track and incredible synthesized horn sounds. I recommend this to anyone how enjoys intelligent electronic music.

A Change Of Pace
Well, LTJ Bukem is back with his 4th installment of the Earth series. Right off the bat you are in for a total change of pace from the Drum & Bass King. This has much more of a House feel with lots of interesting blends of dance mucic of all kinds. If your a hardcore D&B fan chances are this is not up your ally, but if your open to a nice smooth and fun ride down the fresh dance highway, this is going to be a treat. ... Read more

Album Details

Drum N' Bass. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

A new genre has emerged with this compilation
Blame, as one of GLO's most progressive members, seems to be able to find the way how to bring new shades into the style called drum'n'bass. With murk tech-step pressing all other d'n'b genres down, maybe this sound can be a healthy opposite pole of that. It's very Good Looking, but still, more than that, very exciting and rather experimental. If you are looking for something you haven't heard before, if you are into Good Looking, but tired of Bukem's self-reproducting softbackground-slowbass-rollingdrum scheme, and need some new faces with new sound, then this is the music for you. Pay attention to 720 DEGREES - maybe they will be the successors of the rather faded GLR.

Well, I love the CD Case
...Music from good looking isn't very popular in the states. When it arrived I knew from the moment I tore open the package that the wait would be worth it. Blame does not fail to please with this double disc compilation from his 720 Degrees Label. The CD Case itself is a wonder! The artwork and design are naturally wicked, with the spacey kind of feel but the way the CD's are held in their compartments is something ive never seen before, some sort of locking mechanism, if u have ever bought a cd and the pieces that hold them in place broke, u can discard that fear with Two Revolutions. Now, anyways...on with the music review...

Many great artists showcasing some of the best stuff ive heard from good looking. Blame's style is definitely futuristic and more hardcore dnb then LTJ himself, people do associate them together but their styles contrast HEAVILY. Whereas Bukem hails from the jazzier side of things, Blame is keeping it technical and spacey.

Two revolutions is no exception. Many great tracks abound in this mix from 720, among some of the highlights are Seba's Lost key, The Future Engineers have a track on the first disc called Organism, sample this. The track is magnificent work from two artists I would expect nothing else from. The second disc has much to speak for itself, Blu Mar Ten making two appearances, Osaka is a definite highlight. Blame's Sphere is like the album representing track, while maybe not the best in my opinion it sums up Blame nicely for his style. Lastly Blu Mar Ten's Butterflies and Moth's is a new favorite of mine, it has this sleek down and dirty beat that will catch on to you. Check it out all, definitely work from Blame that cannot be missed. Peace....

Totally brilliant
Many of you will automatically associate Blame with LTJ Bukem. However, while they are both prominent figures in the Good Looking collective, they should not be thought of as one in the same. Blame's label, 720 degrees, is ambient drum & bass, but it has a lot more of an emphasis on the beats. This may sound like a vague distinction, but it's important. Blame's style is a lot more driving than Bukem's, and is consequently more energetic. Just compare anything off of Bukem's album to Bypass (on CD 1), and you'll see what I mean. And this emphasis on the beats makes the album more accessable to those who enjoy techno, big beat, and the harder forms of drum & bass. Overall an absolutely tremendous album, one that should not be missed.

Blame Does It! Great drum and bass CD
I like when i can find drum n bass that musical, groovey, dancy, jazzy, and futuristic all at the same time. Blame has his own style, his own taste, and rocks...there no shortage of crazy drums and percussion, all done with style and attitude with that jazz edge to it all...a welcome break from the darkness engulfing jungle today... 16 of the 22 songs are brand new, with highlight tracks splattered all throughout the CD. (Check out Sphere by blame on cd2...nuff said) ...some jazzier, lighter tracks that dont skimp on the bass or the phat beats and percussion...if you've ever seen Blame live, you know what i mean. I think he upstages Bukem whenever he plays. If you like this style of DnB, its an ESSENTIAL buy showcasing what the fellas at good looking records are coming out with these days... ... Read more

Reviews (8)

what?
i wish ak1200 would go back to spinning trance or at least get out of the carolina's for awhile. i dunnot dig this cd and i dunno why i bought it. :p

I can't believe this made it so far
I am from Central Florida and I have been subjected to AK 1200's cheesy jump up for way too long and it pisses me off that I ran across this DJ.I wouldn't be so harsh if he just stuck to spinning acid jazz and trip hop-- that is what he is good at. And once again, this cd dissapointed me like all his supposed "drum and bass" Cd's.

Listening to this embarasses me.
Lackluster drum & bass without any driving force behind it. What a disappointment. This mix never picks up, and the sound qual is for the birds. At a time when we need good American D&B DJs the most, It pisses me off that we pay so much attention to crap like this. If you want to support a better American DJ without diving too underground get Dieselboy's THE SIXTH SESSION. Above and beyond that, check out Stakka + Skynet, TEE BEE, RAM Trilogy, and anything on METRO or BC RECORDINGS. DON'T SETTLE FOR THIS SORRY REPRESENTATION OF D'n'B!

ak1200!
This album was good but I don't think it was as good as "Fully Automatic"...

Good Ak
Good ak, not the best I have heard though. Get Lock and Roll. It is 1000x better. Still, a decent buy. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Ok, But There is Better Out There
It was worth listening to once. But I probably wouldn't purchase it again. Not too much improvement on his last album.

didn't know...
I guess I didn't read far enough into it, but I didn't realize it wasn't a full length cd. But, being a huge jump up/Aphrodite fan, it was...well, nice. I don't have much to say about it except that I agree with the fact that the "rapper" didn't compliment the song very well...didn't flow well and along with the standards of the others that Aphrodite has featured like Jungle Brothers and what not.

Foreshadow of a Great LP
While this is only an EP, it gives the hungry junglist a nice snack before Aphrodite's full-length release in Spring. He mixes in some old school beats with his signature use of sick, Sick, SICK bass lines! All of the tracks have good momentum-his layering and use of cuts seems to get more refined with each release.

My only gripe is the MC that is featured on "Hoochie," Schooly D. Perhaps it's just the lyrics, but, I don't think Schooly D compliments the music very well.

In short, if you like jump-up jungle, you will like this CD. Just remember that these tracks are taken out of "context," in that, with the full length release, the tracks will be (they better be) mixed together for a continuous sonic assault. That's what it's all about, isn't it? ... Read more

Album Description

Seven track EP featuring mixes & outtakes from his acclaimed1998 & second album 'Saturnzreturn'. Contains 'Mother VIP'(Vocal Mix), two mixes of 'What You Won't Do For Love'(Radio Edit & Left Hand Man Mix), 'Hyena I', 'KaiserSalsek', 'Judged By Colour, Hea ... Read more

Reviews (2)

My this is crummy.....
I purchased this after hearing good things about one and a half years ago.. when I was still into DnB. Though I thought I liked it at the time.. it has gradually become apparent that this is just plain bad music. Though some brief moments on this CD redeem it a bit, it is totally out of proportion in that 95% of this CD is nightmarishly repetitive and unimaginative tripe that would bore even the most rusted Metalhead out there. I hate to bring star averages down.. so this gets three.. but just barely. Two or three tracks have hints of excellence: take 'Hyena I' for example, great sound effects and slick breakbeat. 'Kaiser Salsek' has a cool rooster/guitar hybrid noise that maintains interest for approximately 12-15 seconds. However, vomit-inducing tracks like 'What You Won't Do For Love' (all fifty versions of it) along with the mindlessly repetitive ones like 'Mother VIP' and 'Seen by Sound..Bred by Anger' or whatever the heck it's called are a sorry excuse for music and almost offensive to the listener! Don't get me wrong, there IS good DnB out there.. even repetition is good if it's good or executed well, but this CD is simply sickening. If you want DnB, go for Photek like the previous reviewer's suggestion. He's right on there. I just suggest not throwing your money away on this one, because it was destined for a bargain bin before it was released.

Good EP!
Aptly titled,it is definitely a colourful orbit around a larger body of work(Saturnzreturn).Also, I see that he has sort of moved over to the more precise,minimalistic style of DnB,the kind that is implemented so well by artists like Photek.Goldie in no way can match up to Photek when it comes to this,but he definitely does a very good job trying!

1)MOTHER VIP(VOCAL MIX) : An eight minute summary of the hour long orchestration "Mother" from Saturnzreturn.I've made a 23 minute edit of the original track(since it is painfully long to sit and listen to! ),and the Vocal Mix on this EP is nothing compared to the edit I listen to!

2)WHAT YOU WON'T DO FOR LOVE : Very nice track! Lush,soulful vocals by Diane Charlamagne(the Goldie/Diane team has always made brilliant stuff! ),an excellent chill-out tune!

3)HYENA 1 : Easily one of the best pieces here,dark bassline,very fitting sounds and samples used,everything just falls into place!

4)KAISER SALSEK : Extremely WILD! Some excellent beats,get ready for a ride with this one! Could've been slightly more intresting,but a fairly good tune.

5)HEARD BY SOUND,JUDGED BY COLOUR,SEEN BY BLIND : Kicks off with a nice beat.I don't know why,but it reminds me faintly of the brilliant "Dark Angel" by the great Doc Scott even though it does not come anywhere close to matching the excellence of "Dark Angel"!

6)UNKLE : This song is absolutely EXCELLENT! This track never fails to keep the listener interested,listen to it,you'll know what I mean! Well done,Goldie!

7)WHAT YOU WONT DO FOR LOVE(LEFT HAND MAN MIX):Nicely implemented remix of "What you won't do for Love" by Doc Scott.The "Dark Angel" sample came as a bit of a surprise,but definitely a pleasant one! Doc Scott is one of the greatest,though,I can't see him making anything below absolute excellence ! (be sure to check out "Lost In Drum And Bass" by him).

A major complaint I have about this album is that the European version does not have the last three songs viz.,WHAT YOU WON'T DO FOR LOVE(BELIEF SYSTEM MIX),TEMPER TEMPER(GROOVERIDER REMIX),TEMPER TEMPER(OPTICAL REMIX).These songs are very good,so make sure you buy the US Version! Also,be sure to get Goldie's recent album "INCredible Sound Of Drum n Bass",this album is truly INCREDIBLE,it'll blow you away! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Fresh indeed.....
Honestly this is one of my favorite Ninja Tune/NTONE releases. A perfect mix of hip-hop, dub, and jazz...but some how extremely unique. It seems that there is so much generic down-tempo stuff out right now, but Fink is head and shoulders above the rest. It's too bad this album did not get much promotion in the states, I assume it did much better in the UK. Don't sleep...peace,

Mr. Scruff meets an ambient dub excursion in scratchappyland
Definatally an album of two halves. It starts with the sound very much associated with NINJA TUNES. Laid back jazz samples, scratching, amusing samples and nice fat hip hop beats. V.nice. Then after the third track the metamophasis dub wise begins. "Ever since I was a kid..." is an absolute corker of a track which leads brilliantly into his cover of FRANK CHICKENS "we are ninja". The highlight has to be the tracks "Tubb story" (reference to king tubby dub pioneer???) and "phionix dub" which rattle you with nice fat dub basslines and brilliantly built up abstract beats. SUPERB!!!

Schizophrenic daydream beats
Fink may hail from the trip-hop capitol of the world, but the playful mood of Fresh Produce stands in stark contrast to the grim aesthetic favored by Bristol's better-known electronic auteurs. Fink stretches the beats and pushes the groove into muscular electro territory. The results are never short of humor and groove. ... 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