REVIEW: Various Artists, Abstract Vibes 2: More Vibes

(Qwango/Island)

- Lee Graham Bridges

Without a second glance, the cover art from the new Abstract Vibes 2: More Vibes compilation would almost lead you to believe this is another one of thousands of banal, supposed drum-n-bass lineups or otherwise self-proclaimed "techno!" collections.

Ah, but no. More Vibes is "an international collection of the best in chilled jazzy beats, celestial grooves, and dubadelic funk." Right on. This compilation is *brilliant*. It is completely soulful, 100% smooth, superbly dublike and funked-over. Of course, merely putting a compilation together is not an incredible feat, but Qwango (an offshoot of Island Records) and the actual compiler, Bruno Guez, have done a nice job picking a diverse crowd of musicians to present. For the genre specific, "Abstract Vibes" most likely refers to "abstract" hip-hop, also occasionally called (regretfully) "trip-hop" by the press. Some experts in the field include DJ Spooky and Tricky, but of course, artists featured on More Vibes are no novices.

The ten tracks presented are mostly instrumental, long sets of nonstop rhythmic ecstasy. Louise Rhodes croons, bold and buxom, through the rugged, mechanical beat of Lamb's "Trans Fatty Acid", and Vanessa Darby similarly rides her languid, alluring vocals rough-shod over the pounding rhythm of Lascelles' "Butterfly". Invisible Hands repositions us in the cosmos with the truly celestial funk of "In Between Times". "Mirror" by Paint is a sexy, gentle romp through the forest, by the bayou. Archive's "Old Artist" matches all kinds of dated sound textures (violins, deep primal drums, etc.) with light synth tones to moderately funky effect. "Gangsta S**t" makes a very jazzy appearance courtesy of DJ Cam.

Abstract Vibes 2: More Vibes introduced me to all the artists featured on the disc save the Sneaker Pimps and Lamb, and I was quickly impressed by the sheer, lasting groovability of all the work here. This is positively one of the best buys among compilations recently released, and well deserves to be bought by all. TRACK LISTING: Archive: "Old Artist", Sneaker Pimps: "6 Underground" (Fila Brazillia Remix #1), Lascelles featuring Vanessa Darby: "Butterfly", Lamb: "Trans Fatty Acid", Invisible Hands: "In Between Times", Small World: "Shuttle 3-5-8", DJ Cam: "Gangsta S**t", Ceasefire: "She Don't Lie", Paint: "Mirror", The 13th Sign: "Take Me To A Distant Bass".