5 Albums to Study To #2
1) Karsh Kale - Broken English
This album is a mix of electronica, percussion, hip-hop, instrumental and countless other genres which are all topped with a generous sprinkling of Indian influence. It remains a favourite which I sometimes listen to as a warm up for study and also as a wind down album just before I fall asleep. Put Karsh Kale in your ipod, Mac or PC and have everyone give you glances of approval as they walk past.
Highlights: ‘Innocence and Power’ ‘Dancing at Sunset’ ‘Hole in the Sky’
2) Thievery Corporation - The Cosmic Game
This two man group has been around for just over a decade and still holds the title as one of the top downtempo or chillout artists out there. I saw them live once… wow! This album is great to listen to because it keeps you relaxed but not to slow that you end up falling asleep at the desk. The album borrows from several genres and this gives the album its universal appeal.
Highlights: ‘Revolution Solution’ ‘Doors of Perception’ ‘Amerimacka’
3) Clint Mansell - The Fountain OST (Original Sound Track)
Mr Mansell has been creating miserable music for years and this, for me, is the climax of all that down in the gutter business. It starts and finishes very…very… very slowly, which I am usually against but with such an amazing arrangement, how could I say no? A few tracks have more aggressive sections which sometimes change the song completely and then bring it back to square one…a pleasant square one.
The movie, for which this soundtrack was made, is a great, albeit, confusing piece of work. Borrow it sometime.
Highlights: ‘Tree of Life’ ‘Death is the Road to Awe’ ‘The Last Man’
4) Blue Sky Black Death - Late Night Cinema
This is the fourth album from collaborative duo Kingston & Young God. They are known for their instrumental albums and this happens to be one of their best. Instrumental albums are great to use for studying because they do not contain many, if any, distracting vocals. Just listen to the album and you will get it – Top Stuff.
Highlights: ‘Ghosts Among Men’ ‘The Era When We Sang’ ‘My Work Will Be Done’
This final album for the day goes to Tricky and his subliminal debut album Maxinquaye. Yes, I know it is another Trip-Hop album, but if you are not a fan of the genre (especially from the 90s) then little can be said for your tastes in music. Tricky makes multi-faceted albums and as such this one takes you from his Jamaican roots, gritty English upbringing to radical America. If you are new to Trip-Hop give it a few listens before you make up your mind.
Highlights: ‘Overcome’ ‘Pumpkin’ ‘Feed Me’
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