The Top 101 Downtempo Albums of All-Time
[ A 20 Year Retrospective 1990 | 2010 ]
Curated By: Architektur [Passport Radio] & A Guy Called Gary [Guidance Recordings]
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"A load of great albums to reacquaint myself with"
Martin James [Melody Maker | The Guardian | Muzik]
Martin James [Melody Maker | The Guardian | Muzik]
A brief history...of how two long-time agent provocateurs from Chicago, collaborated to compile the greatest Downtempo "Best Of" list of all-time!
❒ A Guy Called Gary: Guidance Recordings label DJ and A&R. Compiled Hi:Fidelity Lounge 3 & Hi:Fidelity Lounge 4, as well as, Hi:Fidelity Dub Sessions 4, Destination:Chicago [Japan], and Mundial Muzique 2. A Guy Called Gary has DJ'd along side "Downtempo" luminaries; Gilles Peterson, DJ Cam, Blue States, DJ Oil [Troublemakers], DJ Ender [Nuspirit Helsinki], along with maintaining residencies in cities from Chicago to the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico... Chill to the latest installment of Hi:Fidelity Lounge
❒ Architektur: Est. 2000 | Lounge Productions, Burning Bowl Records, & Passport Radio [WRUW, KOOP, WXDU]. Exclusive interviews with members of Gotan Project, G-Stone & Thievery Corporation. "Big up to Architektur, the man behind the great 'Musik for Film' compilation, this cd is a must-have for every downbeat | chilled dub fan, great stuff!!" - FM Brussels. Wire Magazine described Architektur's album, Travelogue, as 'Meat Beat Manifesto collides with Shorty Rogers' | ★★★★1/2, #1 KPFA, #5 Dub - Juno [UK], and aired on BBC, FM4, KCRW... Tune in to the Finest in Downbeat & Dub on Passport Radio
❒ A Guy Called Gary: Guidance Recordings label DJ and A&R. Compiled Hi:Fidelity Lounge 3 & Hi:Fidelity Lounge 4, as well as, Hi:Fidelity Dub Sessions 4, Destination:Chicago [Japan], and Mundial Muzique 2. A Guy Called Gary has DJ'd along side "Downtempo" luminaries; Gilles Peterson, DJ Cam, Blue States, DJ Oil [Troublemakers], DJ Ender [Nuspirit Helsinki], along with maintaining residencies in cities from Chicago to the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico... Chill to the latest installment of Hi:Fidelity Lounge
❒ Architektur: Est. 2000 | Lounge Productions, Burning Bowl Records, & Passport Radio [WRUW, KOOP, WXDU]. Exclusive interviews with members of Gotan Project, G-Stone & Thievery Corporation. "Big up to Architektur, the man behind the great 'Musik for Film' compilation, this cd is a must-have for every downbeat | chilled dub fan, great stuff!!" - FM Brussels. Wire Magazine described Architektur's album, Travelogue, as 'Meat Beat Manifesto collides with Shorty Rogers' | ★★★★1/2, #1 KPFA, #5 Dub - Juno [UK], and aired on BBC, FM4, KCRW... Tune in to the Finest in Downbeat & Dub on Passport Radio
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1
Kruder & Dorfmeister The K&D Sessions 1998 [2CD]
Massive Attack Blue Lines 1991
Tricky Maxinquaye 1995
Tosca Suzuki 2000
Portishead Dummy 1994
Gotan Project La Revancha Del Tango 2000
Ralph Myerz & The Jack Herren Band A Special Album 2003
Kruder & Dorfmeister G-Stoned 1993
Nightmares On Wax Smokers Delight 1995
Yonderboi Shallow And Profound 2000
Massive Attack Protection 1994 [2CD]
Thievery Corporation The Mirror Conspiracy 2000
Kinobe Soundphiles 2000
Jazzanova The Singles Collection 1997-2000
Fila Brazillia Maim That Tune 1995
Tosca Opera 1997
Peace Orchestra Peace Orchestra 1999
Thievery Corporation Sounds From The Thievery Hi-Fi 1996 | 1999 [2 versions]
Xploding Plastix Amateur Girlfriends Go Proskirt Agents 2001
dZihan & Kamien Freaks & Icons 2000
Massive Attack Blue Lines 1991
Tricky Maxinquaye 1995
Tosca Suzuki 2000
Portishead Dummy 1994
Gotan Project La Revancha Del Tango 2000
Ralph Myerz & The Jack Herren Band A Special Album 2003
Kruder & Dorfmeister G-Stoned 1993
Nightmares On Wax Smokers Delight 1995
Yonderboi Shallow And Profound 2000
Massive Attack Protection 1994 [2CD]
Thievery Corporation The Mirror Conspiracy 2000
Kinobe Soundphiles 2000
Jazzanova The Singles Collection 1997-2000
Fila Brazillia Maim That Tune 1995
Tosca Opera 1997
Peace Orchestra Peace Orchestra 1999
Thievery Corporation Sounds From The Thievery Hi-Fi 1996 | 1999 [2 versions]
Xploding Plastix Amateur Girlfriends Go Proskirt Agents 2001
dZihan & Kamien Freaks & Icons 2000
top101 Video Playlist [1 - 20]
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21
Boozoo Bajou Satta 2001
Portishead Portishead 1997
Quantic The 5th Exotic 2001
Lemon Jelly Lemonjelly.ky 2000
The Dining Rooms Numero Deux 2001 [Guidance version]
Urbs Toujours Le Même Film... 2005
AIR Premiers Symptomes 1997
United Future Organization Now And Then 1990-1997 [2CD]
Pressure Drop Food Of Love 1990-2003 [2CD]
Royksopp Melody A.M. 2001
DJ Bootsie The Silent Partner 2004
Tosca Dehli 9 2003 [2CD]
Bent Programmed To Love 2000
Mr. Scruff Keep It Unreal 1999
Waldeck Northern Lights 1996
Karma Thrillseekers 1999
Sofa Surfers Cargo 1999
David Holmes Let's Get Killed 1997
Air Moon Safari 1997
Quantic One Off's, Remixes and B Sides 2006 [2CD]
Portishead Portishead 1997
Quantic The 5th Exotic 2001
Lemon Jelly Lemonjelly.ky 2000
The Dining Rooms Numero Deux 2001 [Guidance version]
Urbs Toujours Le Même Film... 2005
AIR Premiers Symptomes 1997
United Future Organization Now And Then 1990-1997 [2CD]
Pressure Drop Food Of Love 1990-2003 [2CD]
Royksopp Melody A.M. 2001
DJ Bootsie The Silent Partner 2004
Tosca Dehli 9 2003 [2CD]
Bent Programmed To Love 2000
Mr. Scruff Keep It Unreal 1999
Waldeck Northern Lights 1996
Karma Thrillseekers 1999
Sofa Surfers Cargo 1999
David Holmes Let's Get Killed 1997
Air Moon Safari 1997
Quantic One Off's, Remixes and B Sides 2006 [2CD]
top101 Video Playlist [21 - 40]
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41
Massive Attack V Mad Professor No Protection 1995
Walkner.Mostl Heaven Or Hell 2000
Bitter:Sweet The Mating Game 2006
Tipsy Trip Tease - The Seductive Sounds Of Tipsy 1996
Bonobo Animal Magic 2000
Karminsky Experience Inc. The Power Of Suggestion 2003
Bazille Noir Bazille Noir 2001
Funki Porcini Hed Phone Sex 1995 [2CD]
Thievery Corporation Abductions and Reconstructions 1999
DJ Cam Mad Blunted Jazz 1996 [2CD]
Solid Doctor How About Some Ether [Collected Works 93-95] [2CD]
dZihan & Kamien Gran Riserva 2002
MUM The Szabotnik 15 Mission 2002
Minus 8 Elysian Fields 2000
The Dining Rooms Tre 2003
Twilight Circus Dub Sound System Dub Voyage 2000
Fila Brazillia Luck Be A Weirdo Tonight 1997
Up, Bustle And Out Master Sessions 2 2001
General Electrics Cliquety Kliqk 2003
Bent The Everlasting Blink 2003
Walkner.Mostl Heaven Or Hell 2000
Bitter:Sweet The Mating Game 2006
Tipsy Trip Tease - The Seductive Sounds Of Tipsy 1996
Bonobo Animal Magic 2000
Karminsky Experience Inc. The Power Of Suggestion 2003
Bazille Noir Bazille Noir 2001
Funki Porcini Hed Phone Sex 1995 [2CD]
Thievery Corporation Abductions and Reconstructions 1999
DJ Cam Mad Blunted Jazz 1996 [2CD]
Solid Doctor How About Some Ether [Collected Works 93-95] [2CD]
dZihan & Kamien Gran Riserva 2002
MUM The Szabotnik 15 Mission 2002
Minus 8 Elysian Fields 2000
The Dining Rooms Tre 2003
Twilight Circus Dub Sound System Dub Voyage 2000
Fila Brazillia Luck Be A Weirdo Tonight 1997
Up, Bustle And Out Master Sessions 2 2001
General Electrics Cliquety Kliqk 2003
Bent The Everlasting Blink 2003
top101 Video Playlist [41 - 60]
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61
Rob Smith Meets Henry & Louis Time Will Tell [Dub] 2005
Parov Stelar Seven & Storm 2005
Boozoo Bajou Remixes 2003
Tosca J.A.C. 2005
Seelenluft Synchronschwimmer EP 2001
The Bush Chemists Light Up Your Spliff 1996
Amon Tobin Bricolage 1997
Thievery Corporation The Richest Man In Babylon 2002
Waldeck Ballroom Stories 2007
Organic Grooves Black Cherry 2002
MUM Mum 2000
International Observer From The Dungeons Of Dub 2010
Jon Kennedy We're Just Waiting For You Now 2001
Luke Vibert | BJ Cole Stop The Panic 1999
Noiseshaper King Size Dub Special 2001-2009
Sofa Surfers Transit 1997
Karma Pad Sounds 1997
Bonobo Dial 'M' For Monkey 2003
UKO UKO 2001
J-Walk A Night On The Rocks 2002
Parov Stelar Seven & Storm 2005
Boozoo Bajou Remixes 2003
Tosca J.A.C. 2005
Seelenluft Synchronschwimmer EP 2001
The Bush Chemists Light Up Your Spliff 1996
Amon Tobin Bricolage 1997
Thievery Corporation The Richest Man In Babylon 2002
Waldeck Ballroom Stories 2007
Organic Grooves Black Cherry 2002
MUM Mum 2000
International Observer From The Dungeons Of Dub 2010
Jon Kennedy We're Just Waiting For You Now 2001
Luke Vibert | BJ Cole Stop The Panic 1999
Noiseshaper King Size Dub Special 2001-2009
Sofa Surfers Transit 1997
Karma Pad Sounds 1997
Bonobo Dial 'M' For Monkey 2003
UKO UKO 2001
J-Walk A Night On The Rocks 2002
top101 Video Playlist [61 - 80]
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81
Zero 7 Simple Things 2001
Goldfrapp Felt Mountain 2000
Seelenluft The Rise And Fall Of Silvercity-Bob 2000
Visit Venus The Endless Bummer 1998
Count Basic The Peter Kruder | Richard Dorfmeister Remixes 2001
Mo'Horizons Come Touch The Sun 1999
Ursula 1000 The Now Sound Of Ursula 1000 1998
Gerd High, Wide and Wonderful! 2001
Troublemakers Doubts & Convictions 2000
Nightmares On Wax Carboot Soul 1999
Dubphonic Smoke Signals 2003
The Butch Cassidy Sound System Butches Brew 2004
Howie B. Music For Babies 1996
Baby Mammoth Best Foot Forward 2001
Waxolutionists Counter Fight 2004
45 Dip The Acid Lounge 2000
Waldeck Balance Of The Force 1998
A Forest Mighty Black Mellowdramatic 1998
Leggo Beast From Here To G 2000
Yonderboi Rough And Rare 2001
101 Easy Star All-Stars Dubber Side Of The Moon 2010
Goldfrapp Felt Mountain 2000
Seelenluft The Rise And Fall Of Silvercity-Bob 2000
Visit Venus The Endless Bummer 1998
Count Basic The Peter Kruder | Richard Dorfmeister Remixes 2001
Mo'Horizons Come Touch The Sun 1999
Ursula 1000 The Now Sound Of Ursula 1000 1998
Gerd High, Wide and Wonderful! 2001
Troublemakers Doubts & Convictions 2000
Nightmares On Wax Carboot Soul 1999
Dubphonic Smoke Signals 2003
The Butch Cassidy Sound System Butches Brew 2004
Howie B. Music For Babies 1996
Baby Mammoth Best Foot Forward 2001
Waxolutionists Counter Fight 2004
45 Dip The Acid Lounge 2000
Waldeck Balance Of The Force 1998
A Forest Mighty Black Mellowdramatic 1998
Leggo Beast From Here To G 2000
Yonderboi Rough And Rare 2001
101 Easy Star All-Stars Dubber Side Of The Moon 2010
top101 Video Playlist [81 - 101]
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Honorable mention...to all of the labels who helped elevate this sound through their influential compilations. Collections that featured the many tastemakers...the curators who exposed us to the songs that would emerge into classics. Renowned labels that produced these compilations include:
Compost, Stereo Deluxe, Guidance, Vienna Scientists, Echo Beach, Mole Listening Pearls, Tru Thoughts, Pussyfoot, Spray, Musicpark, Uptight, ESL, Crammed Discs, !K7, and Ninja Tune, among many others...
Compost, Stereo Deluxe, Guidance, Vienna Scientists, Echo Beach, Mole Listening Pearls, Tru Thoughts, Pussyfoot, Spray, Musicpark, Uptight, ESL, Crammed Discs, !K7, and Ninja Tune, among many others...
Special shout-out to...
Boards Of Canada, Bobby Hughes, Ian Simmonds AKA Juryman, Uptight Productions,
Horace Andy, Alex Cortiz, The Deadbeats, Snooze, I:Cube, Sven Van Hees, Nuspirit Helsinki,
Wax Tailor, [Dunkelbunt], Subatomic Sound System, Dubblestandart, On-U Sound, Mo'Wax,
Schema, INFRACom!, Wonderwheel, Fort Knox, Rhythm & Culture, Cheap, and Thrill Jockey.
Horace Andy, Alex Cortiz, The Deadbeats, Snooze, I:Cube, Sven Van Hees, Nuspirit Helsinki,
Wax Tailor, [Dunkelbunt], Subatomic Sound System, Dubblestandart, On-U Sound, Mo'Wax,
Schema, INFRACom!, Wonderwheel, Fort Knox, Rhythm & Culture, Cheap, and Thrill Jockey.
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For clarity...there are many artists that we adore, and additional releases by the "Top 101" artists, who ultimately didn't make this list. Gary & I compiled artists who helped define the "Downtempo" sound. We made a concerted effort to capture, recognize, and encompass the origins, and evolution of this genre. We also highlighted certain LP's as more genre defining of the sound, and gave them preferential treatment over other releases when ultimately ranking. Overall, this list was compiled by two individuals who share a love and a passion for the Downbeat | Dub sound. Peace.
Most notably...Dub music is underserved. Mainly, because the genre has, and deserves it's own rankings [The Top 125], but we would be remiss if we omitted Dub in it's entirety. Especially, given that King Tubby's innovated genius permeates throughout the entire spectrum of "Downtempo" music...
Give thanks & praise!
Most notably...Dub music is underserved. Mainly, because the genre has, and deserves it's own rankings [The Top 125], but we would be remiss if we omitted Dub in it's entirety. Especially, given that King Tubby's innovated genius permeates throughout the entire spectrum of "Downtempo" music...
Give thanks & praise!
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