CONSTANT ELEVATION

Astralwerks, primarily known for more techno DJ-based releases like Fatboy Slim, Photek, and Dmitiri from Paris, is trying their hands at some new material. Constant Elevation pops Astralwerks’ hip-hop cherry with a phat bass beat. What a welcome break from the norm. (No offense, Mr. Cook.) Spawned from 1997’s Deep Concentration, this outing focuses more on the hip-hop DJ and what ground is being broken in the field.
El-P opens the disk with the beat heavy “Day After The Day After”. Favorites like Peanut Butter Wolf and Madlib fuck shit up with “Rawcore”, and Z-Trip adds fuel to the fire with “Backyard Banger”. It’s hard for me to pick out a favorite song on this album, because everything seems to flow together so well. However, it is easy for me to pick out a least favorite track. The awkward and misplaced “Crazy” by Freestyle Fellowship is nowhere near as light and fun as the rest of this disk. And, being the second from last track on the disc, wraps up the CD leaving a sour taste in my mouth. And that’s unfortunate because the rest of it is so strong and fun. Luckily, Chief Xcel throws a blazing arrow into the gaping wound that is “Crazy” and makes me quickly forget how horrible it was. Wrapping the disk up with “Multitude”, Chief helps bring it to a sexy and quiet end. Concentrating heavily on piano and dark and brooding beats, the song has the vibe of a Shadow mix. Constant Elevation hits the mark with ten out of the eleven tracks, so if you’re a fan of hip-hop or DJing, chances are you won’t be disappointed.