Customer Reviews

Lost in Space-Drum 'N' Bass

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3 star:		(1)
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For a label that I'd never heard of (Lacerba), prior to hearing this album on vinyl around a friends house, and spending the next year trying to find it on Cd. This has to be, if not, the finest collection of Ambient Breakbeat, intelligent Drum `N' Bass & Electronica on a 2cd album. Then it most almost certainly rank amongst the top five. Firstly, those expecting something along the lines of a hard hitting, Dancefloor filling collection of bass heavy Drum `N' Bass, need not apply. This has far more in common with the nocturnal, clinical jazz-fused grooves of something like a "Ltj Bukem" or "Peshay" release, than the dancefloor heavy, raging breakbeat/Basslines of "Andy C / Hype / Roni Size".

It's certainly not an album, that works outside a chilled, sedate environment, as a lot of the tracks here, are fairly quiet (certainly in Drum `N' Bass terms), that belie their subdued sound, with a layer of complexity more commonly found in Electronica. Ideally listening to this late a night, either at home, or driving will illustrate what is so brilliantly exceptional about this album. If anything, this isn't even a traditional Drum `N' Bass compilation in the usual sense, as a large percentage of the artists here, or not either generally associated with Drum `N' Bass, or incorporate Breakbeat / Drum `N' Bass to some degree in their work.

But please don't let this put you off, as although admittedly there are small pickings in terms of traditional D'N'B artists and some relatively obscure artists featured here, the majority of artists work on this album is either Remixed or (better Still) `Reinterpreted' by D'N'B artists. So with familiar hands such as : Omni Trio, E-Z Rollers etc lending some heavyweight support to this album, with a fantastic collection of ambient breakbeat, Jazz-fusion, & earthy breaks which are as tirelessly melodic as they are inventive. The real jaw dropping stuff comes in the form of artists that touch on breakbeat sounds or have had their tracks reinterpreted/Remixed by other artists, or haven't had their work remixed but hand in stunning tracks of their own. (Sneaker Pimps, Ultra living, The Amalgamation of Sounds, James Hardway ), which move into either the more experimental end of breakbeat Jungle (Squarepusher's track being an staggeringly exceptional example), or understated cerebral instrumentals with shimmering production, and a very organic sound that encompasses everything from sax, Flute, Guitar, piano & Bass with all kinds of subtle studio trickery enhancing the sound.

Those that have a penchant for downtempo Drum `N' Bass/Breakbeat, that has been largely cross-bred with multiple genres (Jazz, Trip-Hop, Ambient, Progressive Breakbeat, Jazz-funk), and have experienced and enjoyed such exemplary examples such as these examples below, will find much to enjoy here:

Ljt Bukem - "Journey Inwards / Promised Land"
Peshay - "Miles From Home"
Adam F - "Colours"
Plug - "Drum 'N' Bass for Papa"
Amon Tobin - "Supermodified"

(Sorry if I've left out any favourites, this is just supposed to be a very rough guide).

For those in need of a fairly direct comparison of a similarly styled album, then arguably, it's closest rival would be LTj Bukem tremendous "Earth" series, which collates various artists that provide a different (sometimes only, marginally related to Drum `N' Bass) take on the boundaries of D'N'B / Breakbeat, and sacrifice accessibility for something a little more artistic. And fused with various other genres, to produce something a little more broad in sound and construction. Whether it be a soul-Jazz flavour, Breakbeat-funk, or jazzy D'N'B, it's all associated with Drum'N'Bass/Breakbeat to some degree.

Anyone considering this album, would be extremely well advised to seek this out......although considering the extremely limited amount of copies in circulation, your probably going to have to put in some significant time and effort trying to find this, as it's long since been a deleted title (which is odd, considering it come out in 2000..???), but it truly, truly is worth the effort (the 2cd version, which seems to be even rarer, is the definitive version, to get). This is an utterly absorbing, tranquil, soothing album, that never truly got to be appreciated by the audience it deserves, if you do find a copy (I had to hunt for this for a year, to get it second hand), then do everything in your power to secure of copy. (or at the very least download it, or Copy it from someone), for one of the greatest ambient, intelligent Drum'N'Bass albums ever made.

Lacerba's Lost In Space compilations typically include several gems that make your purchase more than worthwhile, with the rest of the tracks still weighing in as above-average listening fare.

First of all, you can skip the 5-star review by fetish_2000. The artists mentioned (and the phrase "2cd album") betray the fact that it's actually a review for Lost In Space 2000 -- it's an appropriate review for that album, but doesn't belong on this page. discotrain's lukewarm and egotistical review is semi-appropriate only if you're expecting a danceable album. This is a concept album and does what it sets out to do (even though I agree that Raymond Casey continued to improve in track selection with the later Lost In Space releases).

Here's the full tracklist:

01 - Tessera - Freefall
02 - Cool Breeze - Can't Deal With This (Alex Reece Remix)
03 - Ruby - Salt Water Fish (Peshay Remix)
04 - S. Hosoe - Ridge Racer (Jazz Step Mix)
05 - Ballistic Brothers - I'll Fly Away
06 - Jammin' Unit - Totally Intelligent (Plug Mix)
07 - Kid Loops - Digital Beatdown
08 - Hunch - Template
09 - James Hardway - Swing It
10 - Lab Rats - Give My Soul
11 - Minx - Dreamtime (Drum & Bass Mix)
12 - Life - Runnin'

Tessera's track is a decent opener -- the drums are snappy and the bass hook is addictive. Alex Reece's remix is one of the livelier cuts on this compilation, with better drumwork and a rolling bassline, well-structured buildups/breakdowns, and vocal samples which aren't used excessively. "Give My Soul" and "Runnin'" were other standouts with addictive basslines. Peshay turns in a shining remix -- haunting atmospherics anchored by a recurring whistling pattern, and a long, DJ-friendly buildup which gives way to the amen break and pulsing bass after almost 2 minutes. The vocals seem to have their own rhythm, not very melodic, yet it really works. James Hardway's contribution is more of a d&b-flavored jazz piece than the other way around, which appears to be his signature, but just isn't my thing. Neither did I care for "Ridge Racer" -- that one really is just boring.

This album is more soundscape than soundbite, and will reward the patient listener. If you're a completist, you'll definitely want to snag a copy if you ever find one, but unfortunately it ISN'T as good as the later releases and is rare enough it will likely be the last to join your collection, anticlimactically. If you're a new collector, you'd be better to start with Lost In Space 2000 or Divaz'n'Bass, both of which have a stronger track selection and are more readily available.

In Terms of Drum N' Bass, This is the best, in terms of greatness among music in general, this ranks among the top ten. The best drum n bass songs are compiled and selected for this glorous complimation of Drum n bass music.