Electronic > Trip Hop / Big Beat Electronic > Pinnacle

Advantages: Mellow; Different from his previous stuff; Less dark
Disadvantages: None, in my opinion.

...the music doesn't suffer. Blowback is quite bass-heavy as you would expect but that's definitely not a bad thing. I was initially hooked by the Wonder-Woman-theme-sampling insanity of #1 Da Woman (did you see what he did there?) but soon realised that the rest of the CD is even better than that admittedly kitsch offering. "Song For Yukiko" is a classic. The Japanese touches and haunting piano are different from anything else on the CD and leave you ...
...Anthony Keidis, Flea, Alanis Morrisette and squeaky-voiced fraggle, Cyndi Lauper, and, contrary to expectation, they work brilliantly with Tricky's dulcet tones to produce everything from the ambient to the raucous to seventies disco. If you're a fan of Tricky, you'll love this. If you're not, you'll still love it. ... Read review

Advantages: truly original, includes the classic 'Fun For Me'
Disadvantages: Roisin's original style may not be to everyone's taste...

Moloko are perhaps best remembered for the Ibiza anthems 'Sing It Back' and 'The Time Is Now', both of which were huge chart hits in 1999 / 2000. However, Roisin Murphy and Mark Brydon's debut album is altogether a more different sound and style. Influenced by a whole range of eclectic sources, its title is derived from the chat-up line that Murphy used on Brydon on their first meeting at a house party. The band themselves are named after a drink ...
...of cult films, 'A Clockwork Orange'. The album seems to be full of in-jokes and spontaneous thought, and is almost an obscure comedy script as much as at is a musical masterpiece... After being released in 1996, 'Do You Like My Tight Sweater' sold over a quarter of a million copies worldwide, but seems to have been ignored some what in the light of their more recent successes... However, it remains the best and most dynamic of their three studio ... Read review

Advantages: Generally excellent, varied, really wide appeal, no bad tracks
Disadvantages: slightly too chilled out for some

...hearing Silver and Gypsy from Animal Magic I was hooked. The album's ten tracks (including intro) are all completely different, from the uber-chilled out Kota to the more lively tracks such as the pretty bass orientated Sugar Rhyme. Having said that, they all follow a fairly relaxed theme, perfect for summer evenings with mates or post surfing... Unfortunately, this album is really difficult to describe and I recommend that you listen to a track ...
...me this is what sets Animal Magic above Melody AM by Röyksopp, Mishaps Happening by Quantic or Hotel by Moby. On that note, this album would, in my opinion, be loved by anyone that likes Moby, Röyksopp or any other chillout type music. Also worth looking into along the same lines as Bonobo would be Quantic (mentioned above, another artist on the Tru Thoughts label). Price: £11.99 (at HMV in the dance section, I would have been prepared to pay £20...) ... Read review

Advantages: Original, POUNDING BASS
Disadvantages: naff lyrics!

...dry and generally meaningless but in this type of music you expect that. To describe it is a Prodigy for the next generation is fair i think and this album really is a classic already. The general feel of the tracks is similar, with one or two exceptions, the receipe being an acoustic start, heavy build up and powerful, low frequency repetitive and catchy taglines. Since i've owned it, It's been on loop in my car CD player wowing my friends with ... Read review

Advantages: composition, easy listening, sound quality
Disadvantages: none

...with some smooth downtempo in Dial 'M' For Monkey, delivering quality tracks like "Noctuary" and "Flutter". This album carries a slow, measured ambience that caresses the soul. Downtempo (or Downbeat) is a very laid-back style of electronic music, similar to ambient music. It's usually permeated with funky head bobbing rhythms, the stressed beat coinciding with the downtempo e.g. the first and third beat of every measure (a segment of time in musical ...
...corresponds to the uptempo. Dial 'M' for Monkey makes use of looped jazz riffs and simple yet mesmerizing basslines, always letting the consumer retain more with each listen. In fact, Bonobo is best appreciated in its subtlety and "little" sounds. It's easy to listen to, as it has the tendency to migrate to the back of the mind, but it also has a lot of depth for those who are willing to pay close attention. Every single track is high quality, ... Read review