ESL Music has brought together a really nice soundtrack to go with Eric Hilton's debut film effort, Babylon Central. It's heavy on reggae and dub, but doesn't hold back on the smooth, lounge vibes or downtempo killers you'd certainly be right to expect. Watching the movie you can't help but feel the story line parallels parallels Eric Hilton's life experiences; as it stars an upstart DJ trying to make good on his skills and motivations, who eventually brings it all together. Sorry if that's a spoiler, but there's no other way to say it. [ CD ] | read more...

The best thing about the new Quantic Presenta Flowering Inferno album is the way Will Holland has evolved his sound. At a glance you may wonder what makes Flowering Inferno different from Combo Barbaro, and honestly, it's a fine line. With the recording of Flowering Inferno's Dog With a Rope however, that line has now become a very, very fine one. When it comes to Quantic's music on the other hand, it doesn't matter what you call it, the man has a distinctive sound that rarely disappoints. Tru Thoughts describes this album as a "Tropical Soundclash", and while it is, Holland had a deeper goal in mind. [ CD ] | read more...

Rhythm & Culture is a label that has never really claimed its full potential. It's origins are steeped in the same brew that gave the world Thievery Corporation and ESL Music, though I'm not sure how closely related most people know the two labels are. It goes way beyond just being based in the same city of Washington, DC. Rhythm & Culture was founded by Thomas Blondet and Farid Nouri, co-founder alongside Eric Hilton (of Thievery Corporation fame), of the famous Eighteenth Street Lounge. Hilton regards Farid as one of the best DJs he's ever been exposed to, while Thomas Blondet is also a regular DJ at Eighteenth Street Lounge, and in fact, you'll find ESL Music's imprint is on this release. Literally. So you see, there are more than just convenient similarities between Rhythm & Culture and ESL Music, and yet, the former has carried on an almost invisible existence in comparison to the latter. I think this compilation should change a lot in that regard. [ CD ] | read more...