Hi all,

First post! I recently picked up a copy of DJ Spooky's "Celestial Mechanix" album off Ebay for a very low price. I haven't really been overwhelmed by most of his releases I own, except for "Necropolis..." and "Songs for a Dead Dreamer"... Until now. I have to say that I really liked the continous mix CD (Disc 2) when I first dropped it in, and it's only grown on me in the 10 or 15 listens since then. While the some of the rap tracks don't really sit well with me, I love the rest of the CD. Stuff like the wailing sax (Mathew Shipp), or the spoken word (Not in Our Name), or the light jazzy drums with the violins on track 23 all really apeal to me. there are a lot of interesting sounds here. A few questions:

1. I am not familiar with Jazz. When I think "Jazz", I think geriatric "smooth jazz" (cringe). Is this CD in any way a taste of what avant garde jazz has to offer?

2. I'd like to hear other people's thoughts and opinions on this release.

3. Any recomendations from people who liked this release on music in a similar vein?

Best wishes,

Mandrich