Endtroducing..... Review: A Sample-Built Masterpiece
9/10 — DJ Shadow - Endtroducing..... (1996)
Pros
- Masterful sampling
- Cinematic mood
- Cohesive and atmospheric
Cons
- Samey tempo
- Some drift
Endtroducing….. was created by Josh Davis using an MPC sampler and records he dug from crates. It was credited by Guinness as the first album made entirely from samples.
What works
‘Building Steam with a Grain of Salt’, ‘Midnight in a Perfect World’ and ‘What Does Your Soul Look Like’ are hypnotic, and the album’s sense of mood and craftsmanship is remarkable. It sounds like a film score for a city at night.
Where it falters
It’s mostly mid-tempo and moody, and some tracks drift.
Verdict
A dreamy, inventive record that turned sampling into art.
