More details have emerged for the first part of Underworld’s long-awaited double-compilation series in November. Entitled Athens, Karl Hyde and Rick Smith’s new release takes an expectedly jazzy and musical direction.
Tracks from deep and soulful heads like Moodyman (Rectify) and Osunlade (The Promise) line up alongside quality groove-based numbers from Alice Coltrane, Squarepusher and even Roxy Music. Gallic supremo Laurent Garnier drops afro-beat, the Mahavishnu Orchestra offers psychedelic blues and Hyde himself partners legendary producer Brian Eno on spoken word escapade Beebop Hurry.
A conscious move away from Undwerworld’s harder ‘machine’ sound, the album has also been overseen by The Misterons, with whom Junior Boys Own co-founder Steven Hall and regular Underworld collaborator Darren Price are associated.
Underworld vs. The Misterons’s Athens is released by K7! Records on November 23.
