DJ Kicks CD

Since mood, atmosphere, emotion and a left-of-centre approach have always been the hallmarks of Forest Swords' own productions, you'd expect to find a similar emphasis on this DJ Kicks excursion. Predictably, he's done just that, conjuring up a heady, constantly surprisingly musical journey that somehow manages to draw together many different stylistic elements whilst still making perfect sonic sense. There's not enough room to go into all of the eyebrow-raising twists and turns, but expect a mix of field recordings, neo classical, 1970s electronic experiments, the dub-wise reggae of Rhythm & Sound, out-there jazz-funk, Cameroonian water rhythms (really), haunting Bulgarian choirs, post-punk pop fuzziness, contemporary leftfield techno, pastoral folk songs and a dash of mid-'90s Orbital.