DJ Shadow

Editor's Review:

It probably wasn’t something he considered over 10 years ago when he started to piece together his debut album, but after DJ Shadow released Endtroducing the game was changed for good. At the time a sample-based instrumental album was almost nonexistent, especially on a mainstream level, now it seems to be its own genre. There are many who try to capture the feel and emotion of Endtroducing, but most fall short, simply lacking
the soul.

The first disc is a remastered version of the seminal album, and contains the track list from the original UK release, which includes an ambient three-part transmission theme that launches one song to the next. Unless you spent many irie hours studying each layered instrument (which might be the majority of DJ Shadow fans), the revamped version may not seem different; however, the trained ear should appreciate the opened up sound. It was an incredible album out the gate, and this time around it’s even better, if that’s possible.

Disc number two is where things really get interesting with a collection of remixes, unreleased tracks and alternate takes. For each track off Endtroducing, the second disc offers an alternative such as Cut Chemist’s remix of “The Number Song,” or the extended overhaul version of “Organ Donor.” Some of the more memorable alternates include the Gab mix of “Midnight in a Perfect World” and the unreleased “Red Bus Needs to Leave.” As a bonus there is also a 12-minute DJ set recorded live in Oxford. The little quirks in each song will have you listening even closer, while refreshing your interest in the originals.

Not that there was any question, but after withstanding the test of time, Endtroducing can officially be labeled a classic. Eventually someone would have come along and made an instrumental hip-hop album, but Shadow did it first, and raised the bar so high that we’ll forever have our hands up.
– Corey Bloom

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Record Label ISLAND Released September 2005

Tracks Disc 1 1. Best Foot Forward 2. Building Steam With A Grain Of Salt 3. The Number Song 4. Changeling 5. What Does Your Soul Look Like (Part 4) 6. Untitled Track 7. Stem/Long Stem 8. Mutual Slump 9. Organ Donor 10. Why Hip Hop Sucks In '96 Disc 2 1. Best Foot Forward (Alternate Version) 2. Building Steam With A Grain Of Salt (Alternate Take Without Overdubs) 3. The Number Song (Cut Chemist Party Mix) 4. Changeling (Original Demo Excerpt) 5. Stem (Cops 'N' Robbers Mix) 6. Soup 7. Red Bus Needs To Leave! 8. Mutual Slump (Alternate Take Without Overdubs) 9. Organ Donor (Extended Overhaul) 10. Why Hip Hop Sucks In '96 (Alternate Take)

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