E V I L R O B O T S:

	Dubbed Out in DC ESL Music 1997
Man, this CD is the bomb. Seriously. This CD, as with all compilations in the ESL cannon is "compiled, rolled and smoked" by the Thievery Corporation. When you see the words "Thievery Corporation", you immediately put whatever it is in your ears. That's the rule. Anyhow, Dubbed Out in DC is a great collection of locally produced dub influenced tunes for the DC area. One of the many wonderful things about this CD is that it proves that all local DC music isn't all Fugazi and Henry Rollins. That's a relief. Don't get me wrong, the whole hardcore thing has it's place- just not in my ears. Dubbed Out in DC includes tracks from Thievery Corporation, as well as notable contributions from Thunderball, Kevin England, and an appropriately titled "As Red as My Eyes Can Get" by Peace Bureau. It must also be noted that this disc is subtitled "11 Tripped Out Grooves From The Capitol of the United States of Kiss My Ass". That pretty much says it all.
	Eighteenth Street Lounge Soundtrack vol. 1 ESL Music 1997
This disc is also dope, but of a slightly different flavor. This is also compiled by Thievery Corporation, but it is not a collection of associated artist's music as many of their other compilations (Like Dubbed Out in DC and Covert Operations). Instead this is a collection of songs that one might here if you were to hang around in the Eighteenth Street Lounge in DC. Please note that ESL stands for "Eighteenth Street Lounge". Now you know, and knowing is half the battle. So there's a load of good stuff on here including a superb version of "Harlem River Drive" by Marden Hill. Also included is a track by Dub Tractor and the bonus final track- Thievery Corporation’s "One". Good stuff. If only you could hear these two discs. Well, you snooze you loose. Maybe you should have been paying attention a few years ago when they were released. Or maybe you had just hurry up and invent that time machine. Ok, I'll throw you a bone, and point you in the right direction. Here's a definite bonus.
I got two CD’s that you can get. I also have two CD’s that you can get. Go t the sto’ and pick ‘em up. Or get online and push buttons frantically until they show up in your mailbox. It’s your choice. Do as you will, but not possessing these CD’s makes it hard for me to want to invite you over for some barbecue…
	Eighteenth Street Lounge Soundtracks- Jet Society ESL Music 1999
This album is compiled along the same lines of the first ESL Soundtrack, but is actually vastly superior. As in the first Soundtrack the music is not necessarily "electronic" as could be expected. There is a lot of funky, mellow jazz-type tunes on here as well. A heavy emphasis is placed upon some deadly organ/electric piano (i.e. Fender Rhodes, etc) grooves with possessive beats working behind them. Quite a recipe for aural stimulation. I really can't do justice to this album by trying to describe it in too much detail. Plus I'm lazy. So I'll just say this- it has seriously powerful relaxin' effects. It will make you take it easy. And I must say that the aptly titled "Hi-Fi Trumpet" by Stereo Action Unlimited is about the best thing I've ever heard. It made me fall in love whatever I happened to be looking at, and I was in New Jersey. Is that saying something?
	Om Lounge 3 Om Records 2000
Finally, not an ESL product, you say. You’re sick of me going on and on about them like they pay me or something. If only they did… Hey, screw you! Anyhow, Om Lounge 3 is the third installment (obviously) of the ultimate middle tempo compilations put out by San Francisco’s Om Records. This one is the best yet. These guys know what they’re doing, no questions about that. Sometimes I think that they are tailoring these disc specifically for me. Please nobody tell me otherwise as it may throw my whole world-view out of whack. Nobody wants that, no do they? Especially since I know where you all live. Om Lounge 3 is about as good as it gets if your are looking for a sampler of superb mid-tempo tunes. It’s electronic-based music that can easily fit into that oh so vague realm of "acid jazz". This isn’t the Brand New Heavies flavor of acid jazz, but more the, say Thievery Corporation or United Future Organization flavor. It’s pretty spicy too. This is the kind of musicature that exemplifies the Kickin’ Back lifestyle, just as does Bossa Nova. For Chrissakes, the second track on this album is called "Mackzen and Relaxin’". They know what’s up. Om Records is the same label that USA DJ Supreme DJ Mark Farina records on, so you know it’s quality. Take my word for it, it makes rollin’ around in your convertible that much cooler. You don’t have a convertible? Get with it, baby and go pick yourself up one. It’s the future now (i.e. 2000)- and you obviously know how to use a computer, so aren’t you rich?