Beyond the Spectrum: The Creamy Spy Chronicles [Original recording remastered]

Digable Planets | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 4, 2005)
• Original Release Date: 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Blue Note Records
• ASIN: B000B66PLQ
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #115,753 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

It's not clear why they didn't just call this a "greatest hits" compilation since it so clearly is one. That said, it does a decent job of pulling out the best songs from the DP's two mid-90s albums (though one should ask: can a two-album group really qualify for "greatest hits" status?). The seminal "Rebirth of Slick" is on here, as are other slices of jazzy mellowness from Reachin', like "Nickel Bags" and "Dial 7." It's good to see how much material is here from the underrated Blowout Comb, which features superior musical and lyrical material such as the deliciously dark "Dog It" and the light-hearted charm of "Jettin'." The album also features some exclusive material such as unreleased songs ("Three Slims Dynamite"), "Dedicated" (which only appeared on the B-side of a single) and remixes for both "Where I'm From" and "9th Wonder." --Oliver Wang

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I dig it., October 30, 2005

By 

H3@+h "Over 1500 reviews!" (thanks for the helpful review votes) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beyond the Spectrum: The Creamy Spy Chronicles (Audio CD)

I admit I initially thought this was a new album, but then I saw the tracklist and realized it was a collection of sorts. So what we get here is a couple remixes, a couple b-sides, and the "better" tracks from their two albums. A few more tracks would have been nice, and I'd easily swap "Nickel Bags" for "It's Good To Be Here". Overall though I like what's included. Obviously a new album would have been more welcome, but at least we get something from them, and they are on tour as well.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars don't listen to the guy above, October 17, 2005

By 

Ryan P. Gutekunst "¤¥§ RYAN §¥¤" (Chicago) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Beyond the Spectrum: The Creamy Spy Chronicles (Audio CD)

Just because you can't take the initiative to simply read the track listing on an album BEFORE you buy it doesn't give you the right to give it 1 star because it is not what you thought. That is your fault you didn't get what you wanted. Digable Planets are incredibly different than anything you will ever hear. Truly original and innovative unlike your Kanye West types and P-Diddy rip off artists. Thier sampling is only used to enhance the talent they already possess, not hide the talent they don't.

The track listing alone is worth the buy. I would recommend the other two albums as well.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the ticky ticky buzz the sun winks the sky..., October 30, 2006

By 

My Uncle Stu (Atlanta) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Beyond the Spectrum: The Creamy Spy Chronicles (Audio CD)

...I fumble through my fuzz and buzz mr. i

I thought I'd lost them forever. I thought, perhaps that was the lesson for me, their purpose in my life. Two great albums, a cool breeze rich with promise. Like a ham-fisted tyro, I tried to capture it, tried to hold on. But they ultimately went where all cool breezes go.

Then, they were back. But I read the Amazon blurb on the new album, warning that it was just a collection of their greatest hits, even mockingly asking "can a two-album group really qualify for `greatest hits' status?" But then I decided to trust the few kind reviewers who understood: You don't buy an album to collect the song titles. These may be culled from the same set of songs but they are completely new renderings, as well as some completely new tracks. If you are disappointed in this CD, you should more appropriately be disappointed in your own lack of musical sophistication. You've heard the lyrics before but you listen to this music not for the words, but for the vibration. I've said it before, listen in your belly, your center. Then come back and thank me.

True story: I was walking along `round Inman Square, had the Planets on my iPod. I saw an old acquaintance walking my way, coming around the corner. We used to work together, talked music, traded some bootlegs we burned for each other. Haven't seen each other in a while. Eye contact was established, heads bobbing at the same frequency. There was the moment when I went to pull out the ear buds. Wouldn't want to be uncouth. Then, I saw his hands going to his ears. We were close enough to see we both were digging our tunes. Simultaneously, we both dropped our arms. It was the ultimate act of non-verbal post-modern etiquette. There was a chuckle, the raised eyebrow greeting, the knowing glances, the nod, and we passed without interrupting each other's tunes. And somehow I'm almost positive he too was grooving to the Axioms of Creamy Spies.