local mood corner

albums to listen to #3

Diplo’s “Florida” Big Dada 2004

This one’s special to me. This is the album that turned my way of listening to music all the way around. It all started with the track with reversed flutes and a groovy 808-drum beat: “Into The Sun”. This track is probably one of the best tracks i’ve ever heard. The flute loop works perfectly with Martina Topley-Bird on vocals. This album feels like an interesting journey through swamp fields. From the intro track with the crickets (”Florida”) to the album finale - it’s like a movie, but with no visuals. (there is though, visuals included on the extra DVD that came with the album on the re-release in 2005.) I’ve dug countless hours into re-listening to this masterpiece. The album feels more like a mix of different moods than an actual album. You got the old-school sample based trip-hop bits at the start of the album...Big Lost, Sarah. Then it moves over to a mixture of different genres, Way More - a club heavy - but also laidback track with trumpets and heavy drum programming. Money Power Respect, an interesting but well put together song featuing swamp vibes all over. Diplo Rhythm, a dance-able club track - featuring different vocalists. Ending with the trippy weed-based Works, the summer favourite “Summer’s Gonna Hurt You” .. and the album outro “It’s All Part Of A Bigger Plan” .. which is exactly what was in store for Diplo over the next years.

albums to listen to #2

Sneaker Pimps’ “Bloodsport” Tommy Boy 2002

This is a real gem of an album. The first time I ever heard Bloodsport I was shocked on how special the feeling of the album was. For me, the sound of it really gives me a feeling of walking down the street in an empty backstreet in a crowded city with grey weather surrounding it all. Chris Corner’s vocal and lyrics fit like a charm with the heavy acoustic guitar influenced trip-hop vibes. It is in my opinion, Sneaker Pimps’ best work. Now for that fourth album...

albums to listen to #1

Dudley Perkins’ “A Lil’ Light” Stones Throw 2003

Produced by Madlib.

A combination of Madlib’s most soulful crafted beats and Dudley Perkins’ knowledge, in the form of vocal. And even though Perkins’ voice might be a little off, or Madlib’s beats might be a bit out of rhythm...ain’t that just blending perfect matches? A little brushed off, non-perfect piece of art that results in a perfect listening experience.