You know why crate digging is important? You might find some cool shit just because you liked the cover. Or ironically liked it. I surely like the one for SMALL CIRCLE OF FRIENDS by The Maxwell Implosion. I don’t know why. It looked kind of soothing. And it was only 99c!

But it became one of my favourite albums!

It was released in 2002 and is an incredibly chill and relaxed album, but it’s not Chill Out or Ambient. Discogs lists it, among other things, as Downtempo and that seems appropriate. The first track, TREAT HER GROOVY already makes it clear that this is a perfect thing to listen to while you are relaxing in the shadows on a hot day. Smooth drums and guitars, suddenly someone starts whistling and hums along. A perfect „This is how it’s gonna be“ law downlayer at the start.

L’HOMME EN PENLUCHE is a bit more danceable thanks to its comparably phat bassline, but still won’t break your beach relaxation. FOLLOW MY RIDDIM takes another step back, but the hypnotic vocal loop that keeps saying „Follow my rhythm, just go with my rhythm“ over and over (I’m sure he doesn’t say „riddim“, so this is false advertising) makes it sound like music from a dance video game. That’s not criticism. It’s cool.

I’m not the first person who thinks something like that. On YouTube a commenter said that the album sounds like „The menu music for the beach level of a PS2 racing game“ and that is such a perfect description.

Tracks 4, 5 and 6 build an interesting unit. BUDDY SALTZMAN’S HIDEOUT, THE UPPER LEFT HAND CORNER OF THE SKY and FROM MOUSY TO MARVELOUS all sound a bit „darker“. Were the first three tracks a perfect soundtrack for  daytime at the beach, these three feel more like something to listen to on the way to your hotel after dark. Although MOUSY kinda feels like you finally arrived and are ready for a night of sleep in the comfy bed.

TIC TAC feels again more bright and the female French rap vocals are a nice addition. While LAILOVE fits so well into the album that it makes it feel almost unremarkable, DOUGHIE STEP reminded me of Nightmares On Wax for some reason.

I have to be honest here: This is an album that I like a lot but don’t have much to say about. It’s a Chill Out, Downtempo, Ibiza and Lounge album for people who think that all these things are too dark, slow or corny. It makes you relax with a big smile on your face. GRASSHOPPER sounds like a bunch of friend goofing around. If I would smoke weed, this would totally be my album.

So if you find it somewhere, go check it out!