Always on point Posted by mike

Skalpel: Deep Breath From Konfusion (Ninja Tune, 2005) While many Ninja Tune artists are noted for their musical playfulness, Polish duo Skalpel distinguish themselves by their reverential treatment of samples. Drawing from obscure '60's and 70's jazz records, the duo meticulously assembles ghostly ensembles one instrument at a time. Indeed, an inattentive listener could easily mistake Skalpel's tracks for the work of live musicians. Foregoing the audio manipulations that act as a show of technical prowess for many producers (see: the near-obligatory drum-chop freakouts in instrumental hip-hop), Skalpel instead find their strength in the sheer quality of their sources, from crisp drum kits to deep upright bass. Delving into a vast archive of untapped vinyl, Skalpel act as a sort of musical dreamcatcher, capturing, congealing, and condensing the spirits of a past sound.