The best Trip Hop tracks?

rapidbison42 said:Well... regardless of how you look at it...
The absolute anthem of trip-hop has to be "High Noon" by Kruder and Dorfmeister.
Honestly, you could pretty much use this track as the gold standard to judge who’s actually making great music and who isn't.

Thanks for the heads-up—I always kind of assumed Kruder and Dorfmeister were more on the techno-trip side of things myself. 😁

And Tricky? Man, he's basically a movie star now—I guess he's just moved past the whole music thing entirely... I mean, just look at where Ice-T is these days! 😁

Zachary Thompson2 said:I said trip-hop-ish! Similar! Either way, definitely closer to trip-hop than Fila Brazillia! 😉

Hard to have a conversation when you can't read.

Regarding Fila Brazillia, I wrote:

"They’ve got a bit of a jazzy vibe, those Fila Brazillia tracks... though they drift through genres quite a bit..."
But then again...
Is there anyone who doesn't lump them into trip-hop?
People describe them just like this:
"Fila Brazillia: downtempo trip hop funk"
But man, Roots Manuva is one of those British hip-hop icons who gets used by every living soul looking for an MC-jati guest feature on their album.
I don't see what he has to do with trip-hop.
He's a straight-up rapper.

I thought K&D&G were more techno-trip.

Whatever they are... High Noon and Shatakadoodub are trip-hop masterpieces.

rapidbison42 said:"Those are some slightly jazzy Fila Brazillia tracks... though they wander through genres quite a bit..."
But still...
There isn't anyone who doesn't lump them into the trip-hop category.
In fact, you'll often see them described like this:
"Fila Brazillia: downtempo trip hop funk"
But man, Roots Manuva is one of those American hip-hop icons who gets used by every living soul who needs an MC-jati guest feature on their album.
I honestly don't see what he has to do with trip-hop.
He's a straight-up rapper.

Well, he’s not exactly a pure rapper. At least not with the album I have here. The backing tracks go way beyond just looping a single sample; they're much more pronounced and powerful, even by classic hip-hop standards. It feels almost like electro-dub. There are a few tracks that sound like they were produced by Tricky—the very definition of trip-hop—which is why I brought him up. Even Gilles Peterson uses his stuff in his sets.

Besides, trip-hop evolved from hip-hop! It's basically downtempo hip-hop!

Though I do agree that Roots Manuva leans much more toward hip-hop than trip-hop.🙂

So, here are a few more recommendations:
Are Nightmares on Wax part of that whole "mushroom jazz" scene??

DJ Krush too, but I really have to emphasize the albums "Jak" and "Ki-Ok."

Boards of Canada makes incredibly original music; some tracks sound similar to Vangelis or Jean-Michel Jarre, but most of it has that offbeat, trippy vibe.

Jazzanova is jazz-infused trip-hop.

DJ Vadim, Zero 7, DJ Shadow, Sneaker Pimps, Morcheeba.

Zachary Thompson said:And here are a few more recommendations to consider:
Is Nightmares on Wax even part of that so-called "mushroom jazz" scene?

You really have to give credit where it's due when it comes to DJ Krush, particularly regarding his work on the Jak and Ki-Ok albums.

The music produced by Boards of Canada is truly singular; while certain elements occasionally echo the sonic textures of Vangelis or Jean-Michel Jarre, the vast majority of their catalog maintains a distinctively offbeat, trip-hop sensibility.

The sophisticated jazz-infused trip hop textures produced by Jazzanova are truly unparalleled.

The heavyweights like DJ Vadim, Zero 7, DJ Shadow, Sneaker Pimps, and Morcheeba represent a standard of production that most modern artists simply cannot grasp.

Nightmares on Wax - Late Night Tales is an absolutely stellar album.

I haven't really spent much time listening to Boards of Canada.

DJ Shadow is essentially pure, unadulterated funk, and he is exceptionally good. 👍 Zero 7 is alright, I guess, but Morcheeba is just pure, unadulterated soft-core whining.

Jazzanova is a true pioneer of the future jazz movement, and honestly, they’re the ones who essentially built the entire Compost Records sound from the ground up. They release an incredible amount of music, though it's important to recognize that their style is fundamentally distinct from standard trip hop.
That Jazzanova EP is exceptionally strong, blending trip-hop elements with something much more expansive. While the Remixes feature several standout tracks, and the Circles album is absolutely superb, I will insist once again that it bears little resemblance to traditional trip-hop. It is, quite simply, pure future jazz infused with traces of ambient and drum & bass.

DJ Shadow is basically pure funk,

I haven't really dug into his stuff before. I only own "Private Press," and aside from maybe Monosylabik and Mashin' On The Motorway, it isn't strictly pure funk.
It definitely sounds funky, though—sort of like how Funk D' Void plays minimal techno.
But there's absolutely no question about it: he's top-tier.

Jazzanova are pioneers of future jazz. Honestly, the whole Compost Records sound was shaped by them. They put out so much great material, even if it’s a totally different vibe from trip hop. That Jazzanova EP is fantastic and definitely has those trip-hop elements, and the Remixes have some gems too. Plus, Circles mixed by Jazzanova is a killer album. But again, I wouldn't call it trip hop. It's pure future jazz with hints of ambient, drum & bass, and more.

If we're talking pure future jazz, you're looking at St Germain, Nicola Conte, or Patrick Forge. Jazzanova relies heavily on beats, so I wouldn't necessarily label them as "jazz." It feels more like this blend of soul, hip hop, jazz, and house. And usually, when you hear that specific mix of styles paired with hip hop, that's what people mean when they say it's trip hop.

Zachary Thompson2 said:I haven't really delved into his discography before, as I only own "Private Press," and aside from maybe Monosylabik and Mashin' On The Motorway, it isn't strictly pure funk.
It definitely carries a funky vibe, much like how Funk D' Void leans into minimal techno.
But make no mistake, the quality is absolutely top-tier.

If you want true future jazz, look toward St Germain, Nicola Conte, or Patrick Forge... Jazzanova incorporates far too many beats into their sound to be categorized strictly as jazz; they are more of a fusion involving soul, hip hop, jazz, and house. When you mix those elements with hip hop, you inevitably end up in the realm of trip hop.

Think about DJ Shadow with Funk Spectrum or Schoolhouse funk. Getting into his work is a complete trip because of his collaborations with James Lavell and Wagon Christ under the U.N.K.L.E. banner, which is an experience in itself.

St Germain leans more toward deep house with jazz undertones, whereas Nicola Conte has been drifting toward pure jazz with his recent albums, even though he remains one of the most versatile DJs out there—you could almost compare him to Patrick Forge or Lata. You really ought to listen to the Jazzanova EP; it is quintessential future jazz and stands as a cult classic within the genre.

Thomas Diaz6 said:Think about DJ Shadow's "Funk Spectrum" or that Schoolhouse funk vibe. There’s this whole connection there because he worked alongside James Lavell and Wagon Christ back when they were part of U.N.K.L.E., and man, that project was a total trip.

I’d say St Germain leans more toward deep house with those jazz undertones. As for Nicola Conte, his recent albums are pulling much closer to straight-up jazz, even though as a DJ, he’s one of the best across all genres—you could almost call him the Patrick Forge of the scene. You really need to check out the Jazzanova EP; it’s pure future jazz and stands as a cult classic in that style.

One never stops learning when it comes to Shadow.

If we're talking deep house, you look at guys like Junior Vasquez or Kevin Saunderson—that’s the music meant for massive club anthems. St Germain just doesn't fit that mold.

And honestly, once you start hearing those offbeat elements like what Jazzanova pulls off, you can't really group "pure" and "jazz" in the same sentence anymore.
As for Nicola Conte, go listen to BP once and then go listen to some actual jazz.
I couldn't even make it to the end of that one; I was bored out of my mind. I can always get behind Nicola, though.

Zachary Thompson2 said:One could study Shadow for a lifetime and still barely scratch the surface.

If we are talking deep house, you look at names like Junior Vasquez or Kevin Saunderson, the kind of music designed for massive club anthems, and St Germain simply doesn't fit that mold.

The moment a track incorporates those offbeat elements characteristic of Jazzanova, you can no longer use terms like "pure" and "jazz" in the same breath.
As for Nicola Conte, go listen to some actual jazz via BP and then come back to me.
I honestly couldn't make it to the end of that track because the boredom was just too much to handle, though I can always find something to listen to from Nicola.

Jazz is an infinite spectrum of subgenres; I once saw the bassist for John Coltrane perform live and it was absolutely incredible.
I can listen to Coltrane any day of the week, which sets him apart from many other jazz artists, so your comparison is fundamentally flawed. You cannot equate them.
Regardless, this conversation is clearly devolving into nothing more than people trying to impose their own personal definitions onto musical genres.😁
You might have decent taste, but my ability to define these categories is far superior.👍 😁😁

Thomas Diaz6 said:Jazzanova has a million different sounds. I once heard John Coltrane's bassist live and it was fucking incredible.
You can always listen to Coltrane, unlike some other jazz musicians, so that’s not really the point. You can't make that comparison.

Anyway, Nicola Conte isn't pure jazz! (That's not an actual argument😁 )

Thomas Diaz6 said:It doesn't matter; this is slowly turning into people making their own personal definitions of music genres.😁
You have good taste, but my definitions are more precise. 👍 😁😁

(Not an argument 😁 )

Me and a few others wouldn't agree with you!😁

👍 And you, son,

Zachary Thompson2 said:Boards of Canada makes some seriously unique stuff—you can definitely hear echoes of Vangelis or Jean-Michel Jarre in there at times, but most of it just has this weird, offbeat trip-hop vibe...

It’s not bad, I guess, but I wouldn't really call it trip-hop... and honestly, mentioning Jean-Michel Jarre? That's a bit of a stretch, man...

nimblenomad41 said:It’s not bad, but I didn't really get the impression that this is trip hop.

Of course—everyone expects trip hop to sound exactly like Massive Attack or Tricky (who used to be in MA).

But those guys are a bit tricky to pin down. Half of their stuff barely even has a beat; it's more ambient, almost like Jean-Michel Jarre.
The other half sounds pretty close to Massive Attack!

You just happened to listen to the wrong half.😁

In my opinion, both DJ Shadow and Boards of Canada are top-tier (if you're looking at these specific standards), though Pinetop 7 feels a bit too much like something out of an old MTV era for my taste. As far as albums go, I’d have to single out Tricky's *Angels with Dirty Faces*; that record completely shifted my entire perspective on music back when I was in high school. I haven't ventured into his other albums yet—partly out of a fear of ruining that initial, perfect impression.

+ Honestly, DJ Shadow might actually be a candidate for the worst name in the business. Oof...👎

Are you guys absolutely certain you've spelled those names correctly? I'm hitting dead ends every time I try searching for them online. 😁

To be honest, trip hop isn't really my usual lane. I’m a fan of Massive Attack and Lamb, but as for the rest of this list, I've never even heard of them.
Still, thanks for the suggestions...

Zachary Thompson2 said:of course—everyone expects trip hop to sound exactly like Massive Attack or Tricky (who used to be in MA)

but they're kind of a tricky band to pin down... half their stuff barely even has a beat, it's more ambient, sort of like Jean-Michel Jarre
while the other half sounds pretty close to MA!

you just happened to find the wrong half, I guess😁

yeah, I know. I know.
obviously.

Thomas Diaz6 mentioned the guy I use for my avatar... James Lavelle...

It’s true that with Filo he leans into those downbeat vibes, but his discography is actually much more diverse than that.
Take this, for example... the triple LP: android dream of Electric Beats.
Plus, he mostly hangs out with the nu-breakz crowd.
I’d suggest everyone give that genre a listen; to me, it’s the absolute avant-garde of dance music...
James Lavelle, False Prophet, Meat Katie, elite force, Evil 9, force Mass motion, Adam Freeland, Lee Coombs, Dylan Rhymes, Kom and Bones, Drummatic Twins, Ils, PMT...

If you aren't sure what I'm talking about, just grab the James Lavelle mix: Global Underground.
It’s basically the gold standard for nu-breakz.

Otherwise:
Jazzanova is pure nu-jazz. They’re essentially the leaders of the genre and don't really have anything to do with trip hop. The only track that even remotely resembles trip hop is Bohemian Sunset.
Their albums: In Between, Remixes... all jazz.
Their compilations: like the sound of Berlin... even purer jazz.
Personally... I grew tired of the Compost crew. Beanfield still intrigues me, but A Forest Mighty Black isn't making music anymore (unfortunately).
Nicole Contessa's latest work is straight-up jazz.
She didn't even use samples; everything was played live. It wasn't a stretch, either, since she has the whole Fez jazz Collective behind her. They're a top-tier group that knows their jazz inside and out.

rapidbison42 said:Thomas Diaz6 mentioned the guy I use for my avatar... the one and only James Lavelle...

It is an absolute fact that while he does some downbeat stuff with Filo, his discography is actually incredibly diverse.
For instance, look at the triple LP: android dream of Electric Beats.
Plus, he mostly operates within the nu-breakz scene.
I strongly suggest everyone takes the time to listen to that genre because, in my view, it represents the true avant-garde of dance music...
James Lavelle, False Prophet, Meat Katie, elite force, Evil 9, force Mass motion, Adam Freeland, Lee Coombs, Dylan Rhymes, Kom and Bones, Drummatic Twins, Ils, PMT...

If you have no idea what I am talking about, just go ahead and download the James Lavelle mix: Global Underground.
That is basically the gold standard for nu-breakz.

On another note:
Jazzanova is pure nu-jazz. They are essentially the leaders of the genre and have absolutely nothing to do with trip hop. The only track that even remotely resembles trip hop is Bohemian Sunset.
Their albums, like in Between and Remixes, are jazz.
Their compilations, such as the sound of Berlin, are even purer jazz.
Personally, I found the Compost crew to be quite irritating. Only Beanfield still manages to intrigue me, and unfortunately, a Forest Mighty Black isn't making music anymore.
The latest work from Nicole Contessa is straight jazz.
She didn't even use samples; everything was played live. It wasn't a struggle for her either, given she has the entire Fez jazz Collective backing her up. They are a top-tier group that is completely obsessed with jazz.

👍 👍 👍

Compost is alright, though nothing special. I think Joseph Malik from Compost is decent, this new guy Alex Attias has a few good tracks, and that Intuit compilation is fine.
But Compost has become far too obsessed with some kind of nu-break jazz, though I can't even put a label on it. 😁
And James Lavelle is, without question, the greatest DJ of all time. Romania 1 and 2, Barcelona 1 and 2, Fabric live, Breezblock session. 🙏 🙏

James Lavelle is easily my favorite DJ of all time.

You definitely need to grab the latest Essential mix by Unklesounds.
The stuff he and Filo put together there is just unbelievable.

If you have the track from the US tour, you've heard it: Meat Katie & Lee Coombs - Import.
A total masterpiece...

Though... if you don't have those "Reign" Remixes, you should definitely track them down.

The Compost crew isn't really my thing.

It’s all just jazz vibes. If you're into that, go for it.
It doesn't really hit the mark for me. Though, they have produced some good stuff before...
like fauna Flash - "fusion"

But if you want my honest opinion...
They can all basically hide behind this lineup:
James Lavelle, False Prophet, Meat Katie, elite force, Evil 9, force Mass motion, Adam Freeland, Lee Coombs, Dylan Rhymes, Kom and Bones, Drummatic Twins, Ils, PMT...

btw.
If you don't have it... you definitely need to pick up the "Community service" LP by The Crystal Method.

rapidbison42 said:Jazzanova is pure nu-jazz. At their core... they are genre leaders and have absolutely nothing to do with trip hop. The only track that even remotely resembles trip hop is Bohemian Sunset.

I’ll say it again: some of us just don't see it that way. But honestly, does it even matter? When you deal with bands that dance between genres, you can define every album differently. It’s all so vague. The trip hop producers

rapidbison42 said:Nicole Contessa's latest work is straight-up jazz.
It isn't even sampled; everything was played live. That wasn't hard for her, though, since she had the whole Fez jazz Collective behind her from Bari. They are a top-tier group that is totally obsessed with jazz.

The latest album! Does anyone know if there's any news regarding his performance at the Aquarium?

P.S. Pablo Valentino is playing at Papillon tonight. He's the guy who performed alongside DJ Krusha (one of my absolute favorites, an icon—even if he has a silly name) and Gilles Peterson. I haven't actually heard him yet, but those collaborations should be enough recommendation for anyone. Entry is $3.25. It would be a real shame to miss it.

rapidbison42 said:The Crystal Method

👍 is such a killer band. Have you checked out Orbital yet?