California Dreamin'

by Joshua GlazerBeware of music journalists who believe they are artists. David Ireland is the publisher of BPM magazine, which is something he clearly states in the liner notes. So OK, he's not guilty of trying to sneak in the back door without telling anyone. But does he have what it takes, or is he, as the adage goes, a "frustrated musician"? It's hard to say, since despite being mixed by Ireland, there is very little mixing going on at all. Tracks segue from one to another through moments of silence, complete with tape hiss. When there are overlays, it is still without the necessity of beat matching. So the idea of mixed might be exaggerated. As for the tracks themselves, Ireland selects an array of tracks that he refers to as cinematic. These selections by esteemed producers Coldcut, Rae & Christian, and Charles Webster, as well as ten others, are certainly packed full of ethereal histrionics. So while some may find this to be a satisfying chill record, others will quickly become agitated by how closely it veers toward new age silliness. There's even ocean and seagull sounds sampled on Nu Mood Orchestra's "Breeze."