Search - Digable Planets :: Beyond the Spectrum: The Creamy Spy Chronicles

The ticky ticky buzz the sun winks the sky...

My Uncle Stu | Boston | 10/31/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"
...I fumble through my fuzz and buzz mr. i



I thought I'd lost them forever. I thought, perhaps that was the lesson for me, their purpose in my life. Two great albums, a cool breeze rich with promise. Like a ham-fisted tyro, I tried to capture it, tried to hold on. But they ultimately went where all cool breezes go.



Then, they were back. But I read the Amazon blurb on the new album, warning that it was just a collection of their greatest hits, even mockingly asking "can a two-album group really qualify for `greatest hits' status?" But then I decided to trust the few kind reviewers who understood: You don't buy an album to collect the song titles. These may be culled from the same set of songs but they are completely new renderings, as well as some completely new tracks. If you are disappointed in this CD, you should more appropriately be disappointed in your own lack of musical sophistication. You've heard the lyrics before but you listen to this music not for the words, but for the vibration. I've said it before, listen in your belly, your center. Then come back and thank me.



True story: I was walking along `round Inman Square, had the Planets on my iPod. I saw an old acquaintance walking my way, coming around the corner. We used to work together, talked music, traded some bootlegs we burned for each other. Haven't seen each other in a while. Eye contact was established, heads bobbing at the same frequency. There was the moment when I went to pull out the ear buds. Wouldn't want to be uncouth. Then, I saw his hands going to his ears. We were close enough to see we both were digging our tunes. Simultaneously, we both dropped our arms. It was the ultimate act of non-verbal post-modern etiquette. There was a chuckle, the raised eyebrow greeting, the knowing glances, the nod, and we passed without interrupting each other's tunes. And somehow I'm almost positive he too was grooving to the Axioms of Creamy Spies.







"

I dig it.

H3@+h | VT | 10/30/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I admit I initially thought this was a new album, but then I saw the tracklist and realized it was a collection of sorts. So what we get here is a couple remixes, a couple b-sides, and the "better" tracks from their two albums. A few more tracks would have been nice, and I'd easily swap "Nickel Bags" for "It's Good To Be Here". Overall though I like what's included. Obviously a new album would have been more welcome, but at least we get something from them, and they are on tour as well."

Tight...

J. Lomax | Westchester, NY United States | 11/06/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As another reviewer said, the first reviewer's low mark isn't based on a valid point. The point of this album was to be a remastery of the better Digable tracks. There are also some tracks that did not show up on the albums, which is a bonus.



If you are new to Digable Planets, I highly recommend this work, for every song on this CD is ace. These people are the kings (and one queen) of psychadelic chill out hip hop. The rhythm production also helps out a bunch. Many of the tracks sample older songs, but the producers (including King Britt) do it so tastefully and respectfully that they would have been hot beats without the use of a sample.



Get this and I'm sure you'll be hooked. If you like them, also get "Uptown Saturday Night" by Camp Lo. There's another group I could go on about."