Pre-face:
With the recent debacle over the Sweet 'n' Sour Bitch-Goddess that is Napster, it has
become imperative that people take music listening into their own hands. I don't know
about all of you, but I've only had full access to Napster related stuff for a few months
(...ahem, *clears throat*...not that I've downloaded anything. That's only a rumour...)
and I've used the time constructively, catching up on over a decade of good shit that I
never knew existed. There is a world of Electronica/Techno (I speak of the non-dance
variety) out there that is being kept from Us by the RIAA. Hopefully you all will find the
rest of this article helpful in trying new stuff. Interestingly, a lot of this stuff is
still on the Low-Down here in the Midwest, so keep it on the Down-Low...
But in the words of the immortal Prodigy tune: "Oh my God that's some funky
(*stew*)" (I get in trouble with Mom and Dad for language...hence the editing.
Just kidding..
awwwww, shit, y'all, can I get a witness?! I said, can I get a witness???!!! Hit it....
...Ladies and Gentlemen,
This is the first installment of Low-Down Music to keep on the Down-Low:
Album #1: The Lazy Sunday Disc
Artist: 'Coldcut',,,Title: 'Stoned Chilled Groove'
Released in late 1998, the fact that this album is a remix album means that this is the
best place to start off the Sonic-Audio-Trip-TrancedOut-Review that will have you, by the
end, speechless in the face of the all-powerful...aw, nevermind.
Word.
Track #1: "A Zed & 2 L's"
This album starts off perfectly. Imagine you're in space, listening to the sounds of a
solid Bass in a pure Vaccuum...nothing but a good tune that keeps building, utilizing cuts
from some freaky 50's Sci-Fi movie. A remix of a tune by 'Fila Brazillia', this tune's
catchy as two monkeys on Speed loose in a Shit-shop with only one turd to toss, just
throwin' it around...
Prepare to chill, no dancing allowed. Sit your ass
down and listen, kids.
Worth: 500 cents
Track #2: "Right To Be"
..Takes track one to the next level. Brings up the beat, throws in some accompaniment, add
some ambiguous scratching and strings and weird vocal cuts/talking...you will be zoned one
third of the way through...
What makes this track is the diversity of sounds...just groovin' along, real slow-like...
Worth: 100 cents (p.s., put this song in your pipe and smoke it...)
Track #3: "Funk In The Fridge"
If you've never heard of Dj Food, then you've got some catching up to do...(Coldcut and Dj
Food used to be actually some of the same people, but Dj Food is now two Brits doing their
own thing...)
We're still very ambient at this point...
Worth: 85 cents (hey, this song is a good reminder: Check your fridge...'nuff said(if
you're in college))
Track #4: "Maiden Voyage"
Ok, Coldcut is slowly bringing this cd along,,you gotta admire the flow of this album,,if
you've ever been driving in a car at night for a length of time, you'll appreciate this
stuff.,.,this is a little drawn out, admittedly, tho'
Worth: 70 cents
Track #5: "Latneiro"
I think this is a remix of a track by Journeyman, but I can't confirm that...
Some weird Asian kid in the background is talking trash for a minute or two...sounds kinda
catchy tho', I must admit...
Worth: 85 cents
Track #6: "Freedom"
Shades of Crystal Method permeate this track...clean Drums, some crisp vocals...Coldcut
can change styles quicker than you can say "Anbesol."
Worth: 125 cents
Track #7: "Jericho"
Enter the 'Asian Dub Foundation' (shades of Bruce Lee). If you thought you knew
"rap," check this ish out. Some poor Brit kid is trying to exhort the masses
utilizing Iambic pentameter (known as "Flow" for those of ya who got love for
th' streets)
Also, the Asian kid is back, screaming...Hi-larious. This track'll bring a smile to your
ugly Mug. Also, it's catchy... "We're always told, to Shut Up and Dance, but ya got
to change this..take a chance!" Kaboom on our dumb-asses...
Worth: Priceless, like that Credit Card commercial...or else about 300 cents
Track #8: "Move Ya"
This track has some cool Martin Luther King Jr. vocal cuts...a way underestimated
tactic...
Boo-Yah, friends. Solid ambience still abounds...This track finishes off with some
Vocality (some young Lady...I ain't a fan of singing in general, so...
Worth: 75 cents
Track #9: "Freak Power Is Beautiful"
Ok, this is the track that plagues the booty and infects the mind...or is it the other way
around? More cuts of (I think) MLK...polished downtempo beat, some turntable
stylin'...and who could ask for a better hook than: "Freak (or is it
"kid",? i can't tell) Power Is Beautiful, baby", a la Young Michael
Jackson...
kinda interestin',
Worth: 300 cents
Track #10: "Run, Run, Run"
This track finishes things off smoother than beer in a bottle...very Orb-like (as in the
album "The Orb's Adventures Beyond the UltraWorld -1991)...atmospheric.
Worth: 50 cents
Like the title, this album is for some serious Chillin' Out...there's nothing here to make
you All Shook Up,,,However, if you want some good solid ambience (this is great study
music) ...you can go no higher...
Album worth (not a combined
total): 1500 cents
Album price: $14.49 |
