Alpha

While not exactly grabbing the same level of mainstream attention as Portishead's first album, Alpha's 1997 debut, Come from Heaven, did carve out a sizable cult following for the group on the strength of its dusky, sometimes eerie mood pieces. Released on Massive Attack's influential Melankolic label, the disc continues to cast its exquisite spell on unsuspecting electronic-music fans. Pepper, a small remix and rarities anthology, appropriately spices up the material from the debut with jagged strains of drum & bass, dub, and hip-hop. Featuring choice remixes from seminal producers like Tim Simenon and Underdog, it should provide an eye-opener for new and old converts alike. --Aidin Vaziri

1998-08-25 - Melankolic