"As befits the Ninja Tune label, a bit..." more

"As befits the Ninja Tune label, a bit on the dark side. As the title of the record indicates though, very much upwardly oriented. Rich, soft, glitchy-romantic, truly exceptional downtempo instrumental breaks and samples-based compositions." less

"Download everything by Jel. Start wit..." more

"Download everything by Jel. Start with this one. Start with "All Around (w/ Stefanie Bohm)." Then go download all the other tracks she sings on, with Ms. John Soda. Think of this as 10 or 12 recommendations as one." less

"Essential, down to every single note...." more

"Essential, down to every single note. While I'm trying to come up with words to describe some of the most beautiful and important 20th century compositions like Mmm, Skyscaper I Love You; Dark and Long; Tongue; Dirty; Cowgirl...have I named them all yet? And did I mention that they're all beautiful? This album, and the accompanying Born Slippy single, ignited the electronica revolution, in a way that even the most mainstream rockers will appreciate. Scary good." less

"Spooky, almost menacing, yet strong a..." more

"Spooky, almost menacing, yet strong and intimate lo-fi alt country/psychedelia -- even pretty. These guys are about doing and sounding like more than one thing at once. Start with The Orchids and Burned By The Christians, the two tracks best served by their samples -- which is to say that even the shortest tracks have more to tell you than you'll expect. While you're in the neighborhood, pick up Roomsound and Heron King Blues (in that order)." less

"I freaking HATED this, for years and ..." more

"I freaking HATED this, for years and years. Kind of hated it more because I was SUPPOSED to like it. Fuck me, it's GREAT. I was a jackass. What else is new?" less

"Perfect example of deceptive samples...." more

"Perfect example of deceptive samples. They sound nice enough, harmless jazzac, perfect for background at a civilized dinner party. Not that I've ever been to one of those. So anyway, it turns out that this is avant garde, even a sneaky bit cacophonous, in a very very good way...built on a deceptive foundation. Nice! And naughty! A truly unexpected surprise." less

"Among the very very very best 2 songs..." more

"Among the very very very best 2 songs at emu, and among the very very very best and most heartbreaking performances here too. I can't get over how good these are." less

"I'm almost scared to write a descript..." more

"I'm almost scared to write a description of this. So wonderful that there's no way I can do it justice. I'm going to try though, so check back later." less

"This is where you can see that Ralph ..." more

"This is where you can see that Ralph Towner isn't just one of the finest acoustic jazz guitarists ever, but also one of the most very very best contemporary classical composers. Skip the improv number. For something lighter and more traditionally jazzy, check out Live at Yoshi's too." less

"I don't have the vaguest idea how I c..." more

"I don't have the vaguest idea how I came across this, but I know EXACTLY why I downloaded it. Start with the title track. This is genuinely, unreservedly joyous in a way virtually entirely lacking from indy's mopy mainstream. Lighten up already, junior." less

"Remixes are frequently better than th..." more

"Remixes are frequently better than the originals. These are, and the originals were super." less

"Funkadelic? Now THAT's independent! L..." more

"Funkadelic? Now THAT's independent! Look past the cartoons and see searing political insight -- not polemics, but the context that real people live in. Astonishing musical innovation. Not that the cartoons aren't cool. Every Funkadelic record has LOTS worth downloading. This is one of a handful of Download Alls." less

"Also on the list of the best "2 best ..." more

"Also on the list of the best "2 best songs at emu." Dark, dubby, like a pounding heartbeat, getting ready to run from that scary flute-sounding thing at the beginning. Absolutely gorgeous." less

"Not one that gets a lot of attention,..." more

"Not one that gets a lot of attention, but it should. All ballads following the justly famous Vanguard sessions, and all sweet sweet." less

"Can you even believe this is here? No..." more

"Can you even believe this is here? Not me, man. Skip the "clever" stuff except for the first track. Once you do, and the gimmick fades away, you'll see this (these) as the pop masterpiece it is (they are)." less