Tru Thoughts label owner Robert Luis has written a piece on Will Holland, aka Quantic, to go with this handsome best of. It celebrates a decade of Holland’s music for the label, and puts into perspective what an incredible imagination Holland has, able to turn his attention to a number of different styles of music. Many of them are here, spread over 32 tracks on 2 CDs, and showing how he has been able to master soul, reggae, dub, Latin and break beat under a number of different aliases. The classic Quantic productions are here – ‘Time Is The Enemy’, the irresistible ‘Transatlantic’, the colourful ‘Step into A World (Rapture’s Delight)’ and the gurgling clarinet of ‘Left & Right’ just a snapshot of the highlights. The latter shows just how well Holland and Alice Russell have worked together on the label, and it also shows off Holland’s winning way with orchestration – see the swirling harp of ‘The Dreaming Mind’ for further confirmation. Meanwhile in ‘Absence Heard, Presence Felt’, exotic strings drift over the sound picture. I could go on – but this collection shows off Holland’s attractive, positive music in the best possible light, providing an excellent way in for those unlucky enough not to have discovered him yet.
5 Out of 5
Reviewed By Ben Hogwood
