I've got all of Kid Koala's releases - and about 1500 other albums in almost every genre. In the two years I've had this disc, I've given it more plan than most anything else. It's witty, smart, and probably one of the most musical examples of turntablism you can find.

I really don't like to write Amazon reviews (personal reasons), but the reviews condemning the lack of song structure are pretty off-base. Case in point being the comparison with Shadow. Shadow is great and produces well-structured songs. Does that mean that one must emulate Shadow to be structured? Of course not. That's the beauty of this disc - it's really an expression of a unique artist who's not jumping any bandwagon where style's concerned. Some of the best funk is loose-limbed. Some of the best jazz is all about stretching-out. In fact, this album is more akin to jazz and funk records than modern hip-hop.

An interview with Del in the SF Bay Guardian hits the nail on the head. People don't give the Kid credit in part because he scratches in key. He likes to jam with other musicians and does so very well in Lovage, Deltron 3030, Bullfrog, etc.... His solo work gives free riegn to his unique turntable voice. In ten years, the artists who lack this sort of inventive musicianship will be in the bargain bin; and this record will be a touchstone.

[PS: the comic book liner notes are pretty funny, too.]

Kid Koala is one of the most expressive people I've ever heard on a turntable. He gets a phrase, a sound or a snippet and he's drawing that thing in directions you probably didn't think were possible. However, this is not your big brother's DJ record. This isn't like Mix Master Mike or DJ Qbert, wherein the DJ may find a beat or two to run through a song and then proceeds to scratch and drop lines and magic over the rhythm. This record is an exploration into sound itself, and Koala can't be bothered with trying to make you dance. He's about exploring what a turntablist can DO, beats be damned.

It's this kind of thing that garners him increible respct (mostly from his peers and fans of DJ-based music), but will likely turn off the passer-by looking for a good party record. Koala is the Ornette Coleman of DJs, bending sound for the purpose of showing you what he can do and what he has to say, not so you can get up and dance. Try and find a breakbeat on here at your own risk. If you want a record like that, stick with the Mix Master Mike classic "Anti-Theft Device", DJ Qbert's "Wave Twisters" (which actually falls somewhere between Mike and Koala) and DJ Logic if you can find it.

Is it better than... Mix Master Mike's "Anti Theft Deivce" - no Qbert's "Wave Twisters" - no DJ T-Rock "Who's Your Daddy?" - yes. Shiggar Friggar (pick your volume) - yes. Rob Swift "The Abilist" - yes, but Swift is more accessible The X-ecutioners - no.