Comments for Various Artists, Altered Beats

A collection of cut-up hip-hop beat collage brought by theilluminous Mr Bill Laswell. Much alike last year`s "Destructionof Syntax" (on Subharmonic), this is a bunch of wicked beats from a range of D.J.s presented in a mixed tape style. Artistsincludes DJ Rob Swift, DXT, Prince Paul, DJ Krush, Invisible Scratch Pickles, New Kingdom, Valis, Spectre, Material. The common thread of these fine beat-munsters is Laswell. This is an excellent collection for any instrumental hip-hop and outer fringe funkdevotees. Some of the tracks even has a darker edge which makesthem quasi-trip-hop. An essential listening. Although the disc ran out of steam somewhere in the middle, The opening and closing tracks are absolute knockout. Look out for the international version with bonus tracks.