And that's
Smooth Chill, as opposed to Rough Chill or Smooth Meltdown, a compilation that represents favorites of the Musical Starstreams radio program. A syndicated show that first aired in San Francisco in 1981, Musical Starstreams has always featured mellow electronic-oriented tracks, and it has never paid much mind to what's considered hip or groundbreaking. Unless you're a dedicated follower of the show, you're probably not familiar with any of these names, with the possible exception of
Coldcut. All the tracks remain true to the disc's title, rooted in mellow electronica that incorporates a variety of undercurrents, whether it's dub, trip-hop, ambient techno, or acid jazz. It tends to be more functional than anything else, better suited for background listening or relaxation than stimulation. ~ Andy Kellman