Let Us Play

In their ongoing effort to reclaim the crown snatched by subsequent sampler-pirates and turntablists, Coldcut's Matt Black and Jonathan More (joined by Paul Brook) drop their first album since 1994's PHILOSOPHY. Since PHILOSOPHY, acid-jazz has mutated into trip-hop and breakbeat, thanks in no small part to Black and More's activities as noted producers and as ringmasters of their pioneering Ninja Tunes label.
LET US PLAY is stuffed with ideas, from the loquacious liner notes, subversive messages, and busy artwork to the supplementary enhanced CD of computer games and videos. Coldcut add trickier rhythms and obsessive sonic detailing to their mellow jazz and hip-hop foundations. "More Beats and Pieces" recasts Black and More's pioneering scratch-happy classic as a Fatboy Slim-esque freakbeat stormer. The vibes-and-microchips magic of "Return to Margin" and "Music 4 No Musicians" recalls Tortoise's jazz/rock and Steve Reich transgressions. Dead Kennedys provocateur Jello Biafra lends a sardonic monologue to "Every Home a Prison". Other esteemed guests include progressive beatsmiths Jimpster, legendary CTI drummer Bernard Purdie, old-school master Steinski, Ninja Tunes' own Herbaliser, and Luke Gordon (Spacer), all of whom add their unique flavours to LET US PLAY's enticing musical kaleidoscope of psychedelic funk and state-of-the-art studio wizardry.|