Pure Chill (CD - 2005)

Audio Remixer: Pete Lorimer.

Yes, every collection of electronica claims to consist entirely of "gems" or "classics" or "greats." In this case, though, the claim is pretty well borne out by the content. These 16 tracks all fit well within the "downtempo" rubric, but are otherwise nicely varied in flavor and texture: you've got your laid-back Latin track (Christophe Goze's "Mañana [Afterlife Remix]"), your horn-heavy collaboration with a 1980s icon (Thievery Corporation's "The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter," featuring David Byrne), your "acoustic" version of a club hit (Blank & Jones' "Mind of the Wonderful," which still sounds pretty darn electronic), and so on. Moby is here with his very quiet "Blue Paper," and Fila Brazillia takes care of the requisite retro-lounge entry with their delightfully Eurotrashy "Mammon Dad." Other featured artists are less well known, but no one drops the ball; this album offers a solid 76 minutes of chilled-out electronic bliss. Recommended. ~ Rick Anderson minimize