Blockhead (or Tony Simon, as he is sometimes known) released his debut album last year to immense critical acclaim. Now he returns with his second offering, Downtown Science, twelve instrumental hip hop tracks dedicated to downtown Manhattan, where he has lived his entire life.

Comparisons to DJ Shadow are easy to make but, despite working in the same field, Blockhead certainly has his very own distinctive style. Most immediate is his choice of spoken and sung vocal samples across this record that can be both funny and affecting, which is not to say that the music is any less striking. From the slow, melancholic opening of Expiration Date this album will have you completely hooked.

Label: Ninja Tune
Website: www.ninjatune.net
Release date: 17th October 2005

Tracklist:

CD
1. Expiration Date
2. Roll Out The Red Carpet
3. Serenade
4. Cherry Picker
5. Crashing Down
6. Stop Motion Traffic
7. The Art Of Walking
8. Good Block Bad Block
9. Dough Nation
10. Quiet Storm
11. The First Snowflake
12. Long Walk Home

Music By Cavelight Bonus DVD
• The best material from Ninja Tune’s 2004 film-making competition