His third release following an LP for Toshoklabs and an EP for his label Chocolate Industries, Chicago resident Zachary Mastoon (aka
Caural) creates a perpetually dreamy beat collage on his 2002 hip-hop instrumental set
Stars on My Ceiling. Ranging from
Prefuse 73-like rhythmic abstractions, sampling urban audacity likeness to
Squarepusher, and a more organic
Boards of Canada aesthetic, this is chillout music for the headmusic sect of both the electronic and post-rock genres, and a healthy mental subversion at that. Highlights include "Stick to Modeling," the haunting bossa on "Sipping Snake Blood Wine," and the AM radio throwback in "Lilac." ~ Nic Kincaid