Nominally based around a series of hard bop and film-music samples amplified with crunchy beats, Mellowdramatic is an exceptional record of downtempo grooves and late-night Rhodes keyboards. Producer Bernd Kunz has an excellent sense of atmosphere concerning what a laid-back trip-hop album should be, illustrated by tracks like “Minigame,” “Everything” and “Duo Trippin’.” – Keith Farley