The Avalanches - Since I Left You (2000)

When Australian sextet The Avalanches released their debut in the winter of 2000, it earned raving reviews by critics and became an instant classic among audiophiles from all over the world. With all their members rooted in distinct musical styles (from Punkrock to Turntablism) the Avalanches benefit from a sheer endless flow of input. On "Since I Left You" they finally manage to bundle these inspirations and unleash their full creative power. The result is a stunning tour de force through music history, an orgy of samples blended with original instrumentation. This is easily one of the most innovative and interesting records of the past 20 years. 

1.) Since I Left You

2.) Stay Another Season

3.) Radio

4.) Two Hearts in 3/4 Time

5.) Avalanche Rock

6.) Flight Tonight

7.) Close To You

8.) Diners Only

9.) A Different Feeling

10.) Electricity

11.) Tonight May Have To Last Me All My Life

12.) Pablo's Cruise

13.) Frontier Psychiatrist

14.) Etoh

15.) Summer Crane

16.) Little Journey

17.) Live At Dominoes

18.) Extra Kings

                                         

Portishead - NYC Roseland (1998)

This is my favourite trip-hop album and one of the most innovative live records of all time. The whole album was recorded during a live show the band played in the NYC Roseland Ballroom on November 10th, 1998. It features alternate versions of songs from their first two studio albums, backed by a 35-piece orchestra.  Beth Gibbon's superb delivery paired with menacing arrangements make this record a dark, psychedelic masterpiece.

1.) Humming

2.) Cowboys

3.) All Mine

4.) Mysterons

5.) Only You

6.) Half Day Closing

7.) Only You

8.) Glory Box

9.) Sour Times

10.) Roads

11.) Strangers

The XX - XX (2009)

The best album of 2009 and a modern classic, the XX's debut is stunning on many levels. It is complex yet accessible, experimental yet catchy and most of all incredibly addictive although it may seem rather unspectacular at the first listen. Romy Croft's voice melts like butter over layers of smooth-as-satin guitar licks and a carpet of weightless, minimalist trip-hop beats. For the very unlikely case that Tricky or Massive Attack recorded an album with The Cure, this is what it would sound like.

1.) Intro

2.) Vcr

3.) Crystalised

4.) Islands

5.) Heart Skipped a Beat

6.) Fantasy

7.) Shelter

8.) Basic Space

9.) Infinity

10.) Night Time

11.) Stars

Kruder & Dorfmeister - Trans Fatty Acid Remix

The best track on the K&D Sessions and probably the best remix I've ever heard. Louise Rhodes' voice is pure sex, even more so than on the original track by Lamb. Incredible, how the groove floats through 8 and a half weightless minutes just to leave you hungry for more in the end...