Back in stock: Breakbeat

Review: Before they became ambient titans with a penchant for doing gigs from their studio via ISDN line, the Future Sound of London had already established themselves as a well-regarded house and techno act - albeit one whose love of wavy chords, drifting vocal samples and hallucinatory acid lines put them at the psychedelic end of the rave spectrum. The album that established their reputation, Accelerator, is now 30 years old, which is as good an excuse as any for this reissue. Now stretched across two slabs of wax rather than one for a louder cut, the set still sparkles, thanks in part to the duo's ability to mix and match elements of turbn-of-the-90s ambient house, breakbeat hardcore, bleep techno, deep house and what would then have been called "jungle techno".

Review: There is a great selection of reissues of Future Sound of London's back catalogue going on right now. It goes all the way back to 1988 when they first started chaining the game with their forward facing electronics and mix of rave, breaks, hardcore and ambient into something utterly fresh. It still resonates today, hence these reissues, and this one is a 25th Anniversary edition of Accelerator. This one was, at the time, seen as the group's most "commercially-minded" album but that takes nothing way from its visionary sonics and immersive sonic landscapes.

Review: This 45 delivers a perfect mix of late 80s hip-hop with a touch of fresh insight. Side-1 features an upbeat track that captures the energy and clever lyricism of vintage hip-hop. Its catchy hook and sharp delivery make it a standout in the golden era of rap. Side-2 shifts gears with a more laid-back, jazzy vibe paired with conscious lyrics. The track's introspective message adds depth and contrast to the more energetic side. Together, these tracks make for a cool, well-rounded 45, blending classic hip-hop sounds with a meaningful message that's sure to resonate with fans of the genre.