Top Ten Downtempo CDs

OK list lovers, it’s time once again for a musical top ten that will surely add to your informational enlightenment quotient, also known as your “IEQ,” data that you can use to fuel your spiritual journey and achieve new heights of awareness and self-actualization.

Without further ado, let us look at my spiritually infused, top ten downtempo records of all time.

10. No Noise–Chakra Lounge Vol. 1 (Blue Flame Records)
I could never figure out why this record wasn’t more popular. It has everything you’d want in a cool, globally hip, slightly danceable release. Perhaps a major distributor in the U.S. and a scantily clad woman on an exotic beach somewhere the cover might have helped the cause.

9. Le Duc–Celebration (Nutone)
If only for the first track alone, the haunting and seductive “Paccaya” which sounds like a cinematic outtake from a hip medicine journey in some remote part of the world, this release is worth finding. The rest of the record follows in the Deep Forest tradition quite ably adding exotic, indigenous flavors to the down tempo mix.

8. Lunar Drive–Here At Black Mesa Arizona (Nation Records)
What happens when you mix a hot, young DJ from England with some traditional singers and players from The Rez? You get a really interesting mix of ancient and modern grooves that are truly inspired.

7. William Orbit–Strange Cargo Hinterland (Warner Brothers)
The genius of Orbit is on full display in the fourth and final edition of his “Strange Cargo” series, From the soulful, “She Cries Your Name” to the mesmerizing, “Montauk Point” it’s a tour-de-force.

6. Troublemakers–Doubts And Convictions (Guidance Recordings)
Another one of those should have been bigger records. It’s got it all, from cool Parisian ambience to jazzy-down-tempo noir, a truly complete experience.

5. William Orbit–Strange Cargo Three (IRS Records)
Yep, he makes the list twice—he’s that good. Beth Orton sounds really great on the sensuous title track.

4. Thievery Corporation–Sounds from Thievery Hi-Fi (ESL)
These guys totally get it. They work it all into the mix. Super cool grooves, spiritually based themes, an air of mystery, big fat hooks, etc. They’re modern mythmakers.

3. Zero 7–Simple Things (Palm Pictures)
They’ve spawned side projects (Sia, Mozez and Sophie Barker) and had other releases, but this one is tops. Ennui, hope, betrayal, despair, affirmation all get worked out with seductive and unforgettable melodies and grooves.

2. Tom Middleton–Lifetracks (Six Degrees)
From a co-founder of Global Communication, this one opens the doors to possibility with repeated listening.

1. Air–Moon Safari (Astralwerks)
The crème-de-la-crème. Erik Satie and The Beatles go trip hop. Doesn’t get much better than this.

by Robert Phoenix
Robert Phoenix moves freely among a vast array of realities, but tends to focus-in on music and human evolution.