Blockhead - The Music Scene (2010)

Review By Stu Warren

I get a bit lost sometimes when trying to come up with adjectives appropriate for this "type" of music. I think a lot of it is because I’ am more likely to pick up something by a band than the likes of Blockhead when I am browsing for CDs.

But there’s nothing like a delivery from The Dwarf to broaden my horizons and introduce me to great new releases like this!

'The Music Scene', the new solo effort from NYC producer, Blockhead, is a mellow beast, packed with beats, loops and samples, dozens of drum tracks and enough transitions and effects to have kept even the most nimble of fingers immensely busy twiddling knobs and pushing buttons during production.

It is the type of disc that would provide a seamless backdrop to a lazy Sunday afternoon but sits just as comfortably as the soundtrack for a cool cocktail bar or funky eatery. I am not so sure if it is packed with club hits… unless we are talking chill-out or recovery session, that is.

As with lots of instrumental albums, there’s a movie soundtrack type of feel to this release. If I had to pick the actors to go with it, I  would go with the likes of Don Cheadle and Frances McDormand… cool, understated and seemingly easy to get along with. 

Maybe sub in a couple of younger, hip cats if you like… I just can't think of any that fit the bill at the moment.

The album weighs in at 12 tracks and just over an hour in play time, representing good bang for your buck and for those of you swayed by such things, the album art is quality, too.

Blockhead – not one of the angry little orange guys from Gumby, even though that would be pretty cool – gives us his take on The Music Scene and I think you might like it!

RATING: 3 out of 5

Brought To You By The Dwarf