Wildchild, Uberzone, The Freestylers, DJ Icey, Goldie, Hive, DJ Die vs. DJ Shadows, Portishead, Orbital, 808 State - Urbal Beats, Vol. 2

This compilation, offered by LA's Urb Magazine, is only deceptively straightforward: it explores the current state of electronica, with dance-floor stalwarts DJ Icey, Uberzone, and Rabbit in the Moon butting heads with neo-pop stars like the Crystal Method, Goldie, and Portishead. One might suspect this to be yet another cash-in "electronica" compilation, a mere licensing scheme intended to separate you from the contents of your wallet. But this ain't no scam: not only is the track selection topnotch and accessible, with an equal dose of well-known hits and underappreciated gems, but the compilation also offers an entertaining education. On disc two, New York's Liquid Todd throws down a set of classics, tracks like Rhythim Is Rhythim's "Strings of Life," Orbital's "Chime," and Dubtribe's "Mother Earth," giving an insight as to what today's electronica stars were hearing whilst in their nappies. As an introduction to the overhyped and confusing world of "electronica," this compilation can't be beat. --Matthew Corwine Amazon.com

Good "past and present" collection.

No collection will ever be perfect, but this does a decent job. The first disc is what's supposed to be hot (in 98). The second is supposed to be some old school classics. Some well known artists are on here like "Prodigy", "Moby", and "Portishead". My favorite thing by far is some of who's sampled on different tracks. Samples from "Bad Brains", "Kate Bush", "The Verve", and the theme from "Twin Peaks". Overall a good comp. The 1st "Urbal Beats" is good too. Pretty much electronica's greatest hits. September 8, 2003

This is a pointless review.. for a pointless album

First thing about this album that i must mention right off is that the track slection is horrid. If it wasn't trying to be a "definitive guide to electronic music" it probably wouldn't have been so annoying. Really this "urbal beats" series works well if view together, but the track selection seems wrong in the individual sets. This time around the balance is thrown off by adding too much big beats,jungle, and trip hop. Three styles that do come from the same influences. Giving the whole album a lack of diversity. Digital empire 2 does diversity so much better. Another issue is the repetition of the same groups and groups that are seen together all the time.. I mean we have an original prodigy song, a remix of a prodigy song and a song prodigy remixed? is this the "definitve guide to prodigy?" We have a fatboy slim song, and a fat boy slim remix. And the whole first disk breaks down to basically 3 different types of related electronica. giving a very bad "definition" of electronica.

The second disk is a half way decent attempt at mixing alot of classic together, but I am getting somewhat sick of hearing old school electronica thats just doesn't hodl up well over time.

I give the album 4 stars since it does have some decent gems on it. But I highy recomend "digital empire 2" over this compilation if your looking to get schooled on the so called "electronica genre" July 28, 2001

A letdown

This CD was a big letdown.. it was recommended by the person at the record store, looked good, etc. Basically disc 1 was too jungle for me. There are some tunes that are pretty good, but there are some downright angry-feeling ones as well. Temper-temper gave me a headache and "release YO' Delf"--well, you can figure it.

Disc 2 was much better, but still not enough to compell me to repeat the purchase.

Summary: Disc1 1-2 stars, Disc2 3-4 stars June 23, 2000

Disc 2 much better

There's another review that sums my sentiments exactly. Disc 1 gets 2-3 stars (kind of like a rap with faster beat) But disc 2 is really good; 5 stars) June 19, 2000

Start With The First Volume

This set is more uneven than the first Urbal Beats, but it still contains more than a few classics of the genre. The two discs contain a lot of music for a good price--I recommend it as a next step if you like the first volume. June 1, 2000

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