Goldbug

Amazon.com
The best music is often the hardest to classify, and so it is with Ben Neill's latest CD, Goldbug. It might be acid jazz or ambient or new age or techno--often it's two or three at once. But then, innovation is Neill's forte; that trumpet you hear on Goldbug is an instrument of his own invention that combines acoustic and electronic elements and effectively turns Neill into a one-man band. From the playfulness of "Freezer Burn" to the low-key ambience of "Syntonic," this is all highly enjoyable, if unclassifiable, material; "Dark Gift" combines a straightahead beat with a jazzy trumpet line, and "Shirt Waste" wouldn't sound out of place on the soundtrack to the underground animated TV series Reboot. Call it what you like--just don't miss it. --Genevieve Williams

Tracks:

Tunnel Vision
Dark Gift
Route Me Out
Freezer Burn
Looking Last
Shirt Waste
Goldbug
It's Only
Syntonic
Blue Maroon
Tunnel Vision (Spring Heel Jack Holland Tunnel Mix)
Tunnel Vision (X-Ecutioners Mix)
Tunnel Vision (DJ Krust Levity Mix)

Amazon.com

The best music is often the hardest to classify, and so it is with Ben Neill's latest CD, Goldbug. It might be acid jazz or ambient or new age or techno--often it's two or three at once. But then, innovation is Neill's forte; that trumpet you hear on Goldbug is an instrument of his own invention that combines acoustic and electronic elements and effectively turns Neill into a one-man band. From the playfulness of "Freezer Burn" to the low-key ambience of "Syntonic," this is all highly enjoyable, if unclassifiable, material; "Dark Gift" combines a straightahead beat with a jazzy trumpet line, and "Shirt Waste" wouldn't sound out of place on the soundtrack to the underground animated TV series Reboot. Call it what you like--just don't miss it. --Genevieve Williams

Customer Reviews:

Orbital lovers should try Ben Neill.......2004-04-29

In the same manner that Orbital creates music that our ears want to hear, Ben Neill creates music that Orbital would like to listen too and so will you if that is your sort of thing. This music is art, pure and simple - however the tracks have many variations but are seated well within the realm of Trance/Drum and Bass. Ben Neill brings us Jazz that anyone can listen too (I hate Jazz, but this works!) and mixes his saxophone with break beats, Orbital type film scores, Acid Jazz, House and even Rock, but this is still Trance and Drum and Bass that propels Ben Neill's Goldbug into the same category as Orbital, the Orb and even Oakenfold's Transport or the work's of Leftfield.

It is a unique vision, but the music is sublime and comes across as some of the best sounds that you have heard from a relatively unknown artist. Ben Neill's Goldbug is an essential for any fan of trance, drum and bass, jazz or dance. It is an advanced piece of art that takes you on a journey into electronica and back. In fact this kind of music may have been the dawn of electronica/trance/drum and bass.

Anyhow if you liked ANY of the groups or music genres I have listed then give Goldbug a try. It is a revolutionary album with deep tunes and mixing that will blow your mind in terms of what one man can do... Moby style.

It really is that good.

an essential.......2001-08-07

Not only do I find this an essential peice of art in my collection, I made a list based around the existance of this album. Its not really supposed to be "tradional" drum n bass. Its really jazz with many elctronics and electroni influences. Although It has plenty of Drum work. Its just not a definite in every song. Kinda like some tracks on the orb's "orblivion" You hear the drum n bass work and the drums for a while, but the artiest doesn't [crank] out his work by making every song 160 BPM. Its a true album of art, and some of the best use of the drum n bass in a "artiestic way" instead of just trying to make the new "hip hop". I think fans of Intelligent dance music shoudl definitly pick this up. It goes well beside Underworld,The Orb, Orbital, even Banco de Gaia, and even fans of more underground rougher music should still enjoy the extreamly Big beats. The Sax throughout really fleshes out everything and gives it a great natural human feel.

Do not judge by genre, lest it be merely a follower........2001-04-25

I normally don't bother to do anything past rating albums, but another review that rated this lowly because it was missing elements of drum n' bass missed the point. Ben Neill has never been drum and bass, though it influences his work. Ben Neill is an experimentalist, in the sense of exploring his own path. All I have to say is, if you're looking for groundbreaking jazz-fusion/electronic music, Ben Neill is where it's at. This is his most accessible album, primed to bring his style closer to the dancefloor. If you're looking for textbook dnb that won't disturb your comfort zone, head to the Dieselboy section.

???? 'n' bass.......1999-07-18

I bought this cd expecting to find something unusual in it. But it is the same old story containing the same elements, except some high moments like "dark gift", "shirt waste" and "goldbug". But the album really misses the "drum" part of its genre.

Impressive...a must have for the Drum & Bass Enthusiast.......1999-03-29

Words don't do this CD justice...Ben Neill has created a work of art in "Goldbug", integrating the sounds of bass, techno, miami, and much more in a smooth and ingenius blend. You can't help but experience the sensation of every rhytmic beat. Whether you're looking for a cool bass tape that will turn heads when you're crusin' after hours or just like to spice up you're next party, pop in Ben Neill's Goldbug and turn up that voume!

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