5 out of 5

Label: Ninja Tune

Producer: Amon Tobin

I don’t think there’s any confusion as to why Amon Tobin was so well received from the start of his first few releases under his own name – breaking in part from the fun-and-playful-mix mold of Ninja Tune, Tobin knocks the groove genre on its head and shows up his previous Cujo incarnation with ‘Supermodified,’ which takes cues from NJ when appropriate – smiles and giggle percolating at points on select tracks, and no lacking display of skill – but there’s a lot of depth to these tracks as well in terms of spirit and momentum.  I think the problem with the groove genre, often, is that you stumble across a good beat or pace and then you dredge it out for 70 minutes.  It makes a good break on the dance floor or works as background music, but trying to listen to an album as an album can be taxing.  ‘Supermodified’ starts out with energy and then the track breaks to a different tempo and beat – but maintaining the same core sensibilities – just when you need the change, in turn switching back at just the right time as well.  This consciousness of structure carries over to every track, and more importantly to the album as a whole.  While Tobin’s film and soundtrack work is some of my favorite from his catalogue for its thematic ties, ‘Supermodified’ is still, ten years on, a work of piercing confidence and originality, a “blend” of jazz and beats and dance that doesn’t feel blended from individual elements, but perceived as a whole, something a lot of my “great” albums from my collection seem to have in common.