haven't heard much discussion of these, so here's
a few comments.
Better Daze - One Street over - Ubiquity- 15 tracks
Nice variety of tunes here. The SF label, Ubiquity, gives
the Ninja Tune label some competition on this one. Nice
mix of (live) Acid Jazz, trippy hippy hop w/ live
instrumentation & good vocals, including a remake
of "golden brown". Gets my vote for the best
US acid jazz/trip hop effort (so far) in '96.
Look for upcoming single w/ Fila Brazillia remix.
Planet Jazz - flying new world - Harthouse- 7 tracks - 46 min.
This collection of cuts were rushed out because of the
popularity of their recent 12" release. Some nice tunes
in the same vein as recent Alter Ego & Hartfloor full-lengths.
Though the vocals on a few tracks are nothing to rave home about.
Synth jazz, sometimes getting up to a house beat in the rpm
department.
Phluide - bifidus acidophilus - Nation - 16 tracks - 76 min.
I found this to be a mixed bag. Distort-freaks who also like
conventional techno might like this one. Kind like a cross
between the new MBM & Orbital albums...Most of the songs
are fine & fit well in any rock tinged techno/hip hop set,
though i found it not quite as interesting as the MBM
CD when listening from beginning to end (but more compelling
than the latest Orbital- am i the only one that finds
"In Sides" a complete bore?).
Templeroy - Deaf & Dumb - different drummer -10-15 tracks (3XLP, 2XCD)
This has a nice flow, from ambient to dub to tripped up beats &
house grooves. Some might find a few of the tracks a bit long...
but all work extremely well for any ambient or dub dj & few
would work well on the dancefloor to. "Core of the Earth" is
here in a re-recorded version that foregrounds the vocals more
than the original had. If you liked "Dubometer" & the
"Bastard Tracks" comp. this will definitely satisfy your
ambient dub urges.
Chris
KUSP