Reviewed by Andy Cooper

Here is another late-comer to the UK market from the Base 9 label, having been originally released in the USA back in 1999. The trouble with the contained styles of electronic music (techno, drum'n'bass, house) is that they tend to age rather fast, greatly diminishing their appeal and relevance over time. Alfa One Seven kicks off with "What Are You Afraid Of", one of the few tracks containing any vocal samples. It is drum'n'bass, but less organic and raw than what the UK market is used to from its home-grown talent. Moonraker provides an interesting house groove with "who's in the house", but it's such an over-used phrase that gets repeated enough to put off all but the least self-conscious of DJs . There are three offerings from Dr Onionskin, but his eclectic jazziness sticks out like a sore thumb amongst his stable mates. There is relief to be found at the end of the collection with "Orbit Around Me" by Fhonic: a laid back break-beat with organ, lazer gun sound(?!) and oriental motif. As for the remainder of the CD, even eight years ago such experimental electronica would only have found strong approval from creative bedroom-studio dwellers. Now the target audience is that bit harder to imagine.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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