Ball Of Waxx Scores With 2 Classic Downtempo CDs

There’s some frustration that comes after picking up downtempo CDs with too much musical speed and not enough downtempo.

Two recent CDs from Ball of Waxx are definitely just right for those chill moments. Groove Closet: Downtempo Beats From Ball of Waxx is a real winner, 13 songs of sublime music that never varies from its relaxing mood. Of course, like the best downtempo, there’s an element of adventure. There’s Lord Runningclam on the ethereal “Desert Dress” and “Dewstep,” Numatic Soul on the bass-heavy and scratch-sampling “Dry Clean.”

The tracks I return to the most are by Eastern Sun and John Kelley, the latter previously known only for his breakbeat energy. Who knew he could be so mellow? “Playa Love” is the mellow one, with generous samples of crackling electricity – or at least that’s what I think of it when I hear it. The anthemic “Rapture at Sea” is fast becoming a classic, its tripped-up melody at once memorable.

“Rapture at Sea,” which rivals the best from Alex Cortiz, is also included on the Eastern Sun CD In Emptiness. Eastern Sun is the creation of Brian Saitzyk (who puts out music under Numatic Soul, too, among others names), and he and Kelley also collaborate on four other tracks. Hip and sophisticated, In Emptiness is mystical and compelling.

It’s as good as downtempo gets.