Sound Mirrors
Ninja Tune, 2006
rating: 4/5
reviewer: filmore mescalito holmes


DJs Jon More and Matt Black, better known as Coldcut, are as close to modern musical royalty as I can imagine. Not only have they delivered several albums of the highest quality electronic production and freestyle mixes ever pressed, but, thanks to the notoriety earned from 1987's five-hundred-copy limited release Hey Kids, What Time Is It EP, the duo was able found the now sadly defunct NTone and legendary Ninja Tune labels. Ninja Tune remains one of the most successful, prolific, and influential independent labels in existence – host to The Herbaliser, Bonobo, Amon Tobin, and countless more of the finest trip-hop, electronica, and hip-hop acts those genres have ever produced. So, in reviewing something like the first new Coldcut album of original works in nearly a decade, the utmost of respect is due.

That being said, this isn't the best Coldcut album ever made (face it, it's pretty hard to beat Let Us Play!). But the trance-inducing, atmospheric yet minimal, Saul Williams-versed "Mr. Nichols," the classic Zen-jazz, orchestral trip-hop of the title track "Sound Mirrors," and the chillingly raunchy techno rocker "Just For The Kick" are enough to make me believe again, easy. A couple tracks do seem weighed down by the veritable plethora of guest stars, among which are the likes of Mike Ladd, Roots Manuva, Fog, and Robert Owens. The M.I.A.-style dancehall banger "Boogieman" doesn't do much for me either. But aside from a few little things, this is probably the best album we've seen in the new millennium from a mid-'90s techno producer (Moby, The Prodigy, The Chemical Brothers, circa March of 2005... yeah, no thanks). I just pray we won't have to wait around nine years for more. The world needs Coldcut.

1. Everything Is Under Control feat. Jon Spencer & Mike Ladd
2. True Skool feat. Roots Manuva
3. Man In A Garage feat. John Matthias
4. Walk A Mile feat. Robert Owens
5. Mr Nichols feat. Saul Williams
6. Sound Mirrors
7. Boogieman feat. Amiri Baraka
8. This Island Earth feat. Mpho Skeef
9. Just For The Kick feat. Annette Peacock
10. Aid Dealer feat. Soweto Kinch
11. Whistle And A Prayer feat. Andrew Broder aka Fog
12. Colours The Soul feat. Dom Spitzer