Orbital: "The Middle Of Nowhere" (ffrr)
Orbital's sonic appeal may be simple, but few can match its power. Merging cinematic atmospherics and moods with lush dance floor magnetism may look easy, yet only Paul and Phil Hartnoll can roll out five albums and still come out smiling. In fact, smiling is perhaps the best description of the mood which The Middle Of Nowhere evokes. Despite the japery of Newsround theme tune samples and bagpipes, this good humour is mined more from their ambitious experimentation than anything else. The recent single Style becomes a majestic moment to savour with repeat listens; the stunning Way Out rolls on and on with a beautiful techno drift at the heart of it, and I Don't Know You People seems effortless, although it would become tiresome and repetitive in other hands. After all, running around in circles was never going to be an option for Orbital.
By Jim Carroll
Howie B: "Snatch" (Pussyfoot)
Howie B's work as a producer (U2, Sly & Robbie, Bjork etc) and DJ (you supply the turntables, he'll supply the tunes) may be impressive, but it is with his own material that the genial Scot really goes into orbit. If Music For Babies was the cute baby pictures, and Turn The Dark Off a hyperactive toddler, then Snatch is where that kid grows up and runs riot in the playground. Mixing and matching, cutting and pasting, ducking and diving: Bernstein never sticks to one fabric when three, four or even five will do the trick. Sure, it's aimed squarely at the dance floor, but what a dance floor: peculiar break-beat gymnastics set the tone for Howie to throw everything from warped Cuban riffs to sounds which may once have been the property of a ragged Algerian rai band on top. Check To Kiss You for some premier H.B. licks or Manic Melody for the sound of a Hammer Horror spy flick.
By Jim Carroll
Various artists: "Incredible Sound Of Trevor Nelson" (Incredible)
When it comes to R&B, Trevor Nelson is The Man. No one quite comes near to the influence this smooth DJ (BBC Radio One, and every club worth mentioning in the field), broadcaster (The Lick on MTV is a must-see for anyone who swings) and industry guru has on the scene. This double album has 36 superfly cuts which showcase where R&B and modern urban soul are heading as we head for the end-of-the-decade party. You get your stars like Jay-Z, Sounds Of Blackness and Lauryn Hill, but you also get some very pleasant reminders of other sublime nuggets such as I Can't Get No Sleep from Masters At Work and the immaculate Baby Luv from Groove Theory. The word, I think, is smooth.
By Jim Carroll
