Goldie, "Timeless"
Nov 23, 2005 15:16:54 GMT -5
Post by jaxxalude on Nov 23, 2005 15:16:54 GMT -5
Are there ever titles as appropriate as this one?
First, the facts. Buyoed by Urban Cookie Collective's "The Key The Secret" thread, I think it's of the utmost justice to start a new one about this album.
And what is the connection here? Well, Diane Charlemagne sings on both. And no doubt her excellent voice is one of the, er, key reasons for this album to be so cherished.
Other reasons? Well, maybe because it's arguably the best jungle/drum-n-bass original artist album of all time. The sheer beauty of it is staggering. Here, it's not only the rhythm science that counts; it's also the sonics, the ambients, the sheer sound of it. While all that talk of "musical drum-n-bass" often sounds silly and gives way to a lot of muzak in the process, this album is an example of how to make what was essentially a music catered to stimulate dancefloor activity at any underground club/party worthy of its name audible to a home-listening audience without betraying the essential and true spirit of its origins. Listening to this album ten years down the line still makes it a real tripping (in the good sense) experience. It's staggering how after all this time, "Timeless" gives justice to its title by sounding so alien, so confrontational of rules, so... futuristic! It's a work of art. Correction: a work of pure, unadulterated genius!
And that this genius work of art made it to the UK Top Ten Album chart, sell over 400 000 copies there alone and become a more-than-deserved cult favorite cited not only by dance/electronica fiends, but also by people way out of that scene is a testamentet to two things: 1) "difficult", abstract musica can reach the charts; 2) its importance and sheer quality.
Anyone has ever heard this album (or any jungle/drum-n-bass, by the way)? If so, share your thoughts, please.
First, the facts. Buyoed by Urban Cookie Collective's "The Key The Secret" thread, I think it's of the utmost justice to start a new one about this album.
And what is the connection here? Well, Diane Charlemagne sings on both. And no doubt her excellent voice is one of the, er, key reasons for this album to be so cherished.
Other reasons? Well, maybe because it's arguably the best jungle/drum-n-bass original artist album of all time. The sheer beauty of it is staggering. Here, it's not only the rhythm science that counts; it's also the sonics, the ambients, the sheer sound of it. While all that talk of "musical drum-n-bass" often sounds silly and gives way to a lot of muzak in the process, this album is an example of how to make what was essentially a music catered to stimulate dancefloor activity at any underground club/party worthy of its name audible to a home-listening audience without betraying the essential and true spirit of its origins. Listening to this album ten years down the line still makes it a real tripping (in the good sense) experience. It's staggering how after all this time, "Timeless" gives justice to its title by sounding so alien, so confrontational of rules, so... futuristic! It's a work of art. Correction: a work of pure, unadulterated genius!
And that this genius work of art made it to the UK Top Ten Album chart, sell over 400 000 copies there alone and become a more-than-deserved cult favorite cited not only by dance/electronica fiends, but also by people way out of that scene is a testamentet to two things: 1) "difficult", abstract musica can reach the charts; 2) its importance and sheer quality.
Anyone has ever heard this album (or any jungle/drum-n-bass, by the way)? If so, share your thoughts, please.