Arguably, & -- collectively known as -- have been to '90s and 2000s / music what has been to : producer/writers who have one eye on the mainstream and the other on the underground. They won't be mistaken for the ultra-slick team, but they don't confine themselves to music's lunatic fringe either. A nonstop 65-minute mix that provided for in 2003, this self-titled release is a rewarding example of their ability to balance mainstream and underground considerations. This mix is about the beat, but it's also about vocal personality -- and that certainly sets it apart from the totally underground collections that are strictly for the crowd. get the CD off to a very accessible start with the familiar which features singer , and favors a conventional verse/chorus/verse/chorus song structure. And they continue in that vein whether they're featuring on or (of fame) on and But things take a more underground turn toward the end of the CD with tunes like which aren't as accessible by standards. In a sense, hearing this CD is like attending a concert by a mildly musician who has an inside/outside perspective -- the sort of improviser who might pull you in with an inviting melody before going on to challenge you with some free-form outside playing. For , an hour-plus mix is all about timing and pacing -- and their pacing is excellent on this captivating release. ~ Alex Henderson