DJ Spooky

One never knows what to expect with a recording from DJ Spooky. He's an artist who has been all over the map, and this is something that he continues to do as his catalog of excellent recordings grows. With DJ Spooky's 2001 release, Under the Influence, out on the Six Degrees Records label, he has created a long-running seamless sonic tapestry. Rather than creating yet another mix CD based on dancefloor hits and trends, Six Degrees created the Under the Influence series, which allows the artist or DJ to mix their own favorites -- recordings that are especially profound, inspirational, and significant to them. DJ Spooky's contribution is the first disc in this series. This mix is excellent with a capital "e." It's profoundly accessible, danceable, and even listenable, but DJ Spooky has maintained his wholly experimental edge with this release and from the moment his turntables power up to the end of the recording, just under 74 minutes later, it's pure magic. Enough good things can't be said about DJ Spooky's critically profound Under the Influence. Excellent work. ~ Matt Borghi, All Music Guide