4 Hero

This latest Motion playlist dates back to late summer, with the tempo dropping accordingly into machine soul, trip hop and finally post-disco and techno.

This time of year — when late autumn begins giving way to the dawning chill of winter — often takes me back to the year 2001, a swirling vortex of electronic jazz and machine soul.

A selection of random access memories of those beatnik denizens residing comfortably at the interface of rock and jazz in singular fashion.

Now we venture beyond the cozy climes of Laurel Canyon and assorted outposts into the realm of the metaphysical, the music that lies at the fringes of canyon proper.

Over in the space of twenty-five minutes, this four track EP hits you like a vintage soul album in miniature (albeit shot through with a healthy dose of Future Shock).

Sade is one of those strange attractors in music, a figure who seems to almost effortlessly command total respect from the cognoscenti.

Summer in full swing, electronics in the system, the bug in the bassbin. Triggered breakbeats and rhythm boxes in full effect. "Theme From Hot Burst" by Yage.

With Deep Space, his debut album, Juan Atkins lays the blueprint for the chrome-plated sounds of machine soul: the art form of the 21st century.

This music is like Detroit — a complete mistake. It's like George Clinton and Kraftwerk stuck in an elevator. The subject turns to techno, house and other things...

Techno as only the Master Reese could do it. Holding court last weekend at Movement, it's clear that he's gonna keep right on doing it for years to come.