Ever since creating its own genre, IDM, the Artificial Intelligence series of CDs has spawned not only thousands of bedroom-twiddlers, but hundreds of left-field comps that often try to reinvent the wheel. Further Electronics aims to gather a global spread of artists and record labels working in the field of abstract electronic music. But like pretty much all of these compilations, the worldly view is actually limited to the U.S., the U.K., and Germany. Especially Germany, where excellent government support allows musicians to receive grants for making all this noise in the name of art.

There are still some choice cuts, including the excellent vocal of Nikakoi's "Mtavary" and the loose drumming jam of Metamatics' "Here to Go." Hopefully, the inclusion of Rephlex artist Global Goon will help expose shoppers to lesser-known labels like Sub Rosa and Shitkatapult. But unlike more focused compilations -- Mille Plateaux's Clicks & Cuts series comes to mind -- the point of Further Electronics gets lost, as most beginners will just pick up a Mouse on Mars album while serious heads will want all the full-lengths by everyone included here. ~ Joshua Glazer, All Music Guide