Search - Various Artists :: Shadow Masters: New Used & Absurd

Compilations are like a box of chocolates...

PerfectFlaw | Indianapolis,IN | 10/20/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Here we have a admirable presentation of downtempo,trip-hop and drum and bass tracks by way of the Shadow Masters label,most are remixes but there are some originals. Now one of the things that I love about obscure comps,is going in with low expectations and getting suprised. In this case, I purchased this set for one song,and it was Dj Krush's remix to "Big City Lover". I had to have this track on a real cd ever since I heard it on another site. Krush samples Large Professor's "Lookin' out the front door"(Main Source),which appeared on the hip hop classic Breaking Atoms. Getting this track was enough satisfaction,but to my suprise this double disc packed a punch.



The first disc,which is more on the downtempo side is very strong. It was the last track,"Cake Song" by euro duo Agent 5.1 that blew me away. As a hip hop and beathead first,this is my ideal downtempo track. A deep beat with good vocals,except the vocals are more of a hook instead of verses and a chorus. While I can get down with some contemporary downtempo/electronica songs with the formal verse,hook,verse singing. I much prefer the hip-hop side of sampling vocals or just one hook with my downtempo beats. I had high standards for Zero 7's d&b remix of Doris Days "To Ulrike M"(Wallpaper) because the original was so good,and it delivered. Other standouts include Antipodes,Soulpower,and Always 2 Always. This disc deserves applaud,and is worth the price alone.



Disc two is a blend of the uptempo,dub style with splashes of drum and base. Typical of most comps with different sounds,the high level doesn't sustain from disc to disc. But Nonetheless,this one holds some solid to great songs. And once again,the last track steals the show, "Finger Painting",by Dj Part sounds like it should have been on the first disc,a perfect, beautiful beat without vocals. My other favorites were "Kosma","Grandmaster",and Cam's rendition of "Return of the Jedi". Some of the dub style tracks on here were too mundane for my taste,but as I always say,that varies for each person. I give five star ratings to pieces where I don't have to fast forward.Some of the songs on disc two require just that,but it doesn't take away from the overall effort.



I recommend this to downtempo heads who want a nice comp without too much ambient,abstract or"commerical electronica". This project has all those elements,but with any good comp,no one sound dominates.Above all if you want to just keep your head nodding to a nice groove,this one is for you."