Blaming the delay in getting this one up on the new job – which is a bit sad given it’s post no 3. But, here I am, back with a spring in my step and another criminally under-rated missile. Not really sure why Antipop Consortium haven’t been recognised as bigger force in contemporary hip-hop. Between 1999 and 2002 they were the music press’ saviours of hip-hop (admittedly back when there was still a music press), then almost overnight they were *puff* gone. Ringleader Beans was off in Berlin making psychotic circus music, producer E. Blaize was taking time out… and electronic hip-hop was being pushed forward by, er, the Sugababes. But as I sit here watching Duffy doing her karaoke act on the Brit Awards, I’ll happily live in the 2009 that could have been. Then again, I could get off my bum and catch their reunion tour.

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Don’t really know much about the Art Ensemble. According to Discogs they were a short-lived Parisian act who knocked out two 12s in the late ’90s. I stumbled across ‘Purple Shades’ in the midst of a five year Kirk Degiorgio obsession, and it’s his remix (under his As One moniker) of the A-side that still does the business a decade on. Mr Degiorgio stumbled across a few labels in his peak – including Clear, Mo Wax and Ubiquity – and for my money was one of the more successful jazz/techno explorers (in the days when every album had at least one track with ‘universe’ in the title). His mix of Purple Shades is funky, tough and a bit of a backbeat stumbler… with more than a touch of early 70s Herbie. Solid!

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Purple Shades 12″. Art Ensemble [Buy on Discogs]

So Far (So Good…) Twelve Years of Electronic Soul. As One [Amazon]

The Soul of Science Vol One. Compiled by K. Degiorgio + Ian O’Brien [Amazon]

The Hueys were the last stand for R&B piano great Huey “Piano” Smith, putting out a few singles on New Orleans’ Instant Records in the late ’60s. ‘You Ain’t No Hippie’ is a good ol’ fashioned garage belter – but with a bassline Larry Graham would doff his hat to. Pretty unmissable really.

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Having a Good Time: The Very Best of Huey “Piano” Smith [Amazon]