Wicked wicked record. Note! The version of Tricka Technology on this release is different than the album version. It's more of a dub version, featuring various samples from Public Enemy 'n James Brown (or somebody who sounds like James Brown; sample spotters go nuts). IMO, I think this version is better than the vocal/rap version of the album; I think it's more useful in the club while the vocal version is more radio-friendly, but that's just me.

Before purchasing a copy of this disc, check the last track on the disc if possible before making your purchase. A number of copies that I've had of this disc get really skippy about half way through the last track.

Sweet, sweet, sweet album. Space Ace produced a number of quality tracks on this disc, swinging through the Trip Hop, Big Beat and D 'n B genres, all brilliant. You'll probably have problems finding this album as it was an indie release on a Canadian label, but if you do, you will be richly rewarded. Even years after its release, it still sounds amazing and current. Best track is definitely "Gimme Five", a fantastic low riding breakbeat track with soft pads, a great bass line, and a drum loop that sounds like a turntable being stopped and scratched back into playing again. Genius. Space "Ace" indeed.

One of the biggest records (in my opinion) to come off of the Fused and Bruised label, the Elite Force mix is an *essential* choon, an instant classic with it's ruff 'n tuff breaks and bass, instantly recognizable vocal sample and the acid squelch stylings. Just wish Elite Force was still producing big beat stuff like this. The DJ Scissorkicks mix is passable, weighing in with a four to the floor housey-breaks mix featuring some funky organ-powered bass lines, but it just doesn't compare to the agressive heads-down hands-up dirtiness on the flip.

Solid start to the series, stand out tracks for me were Flywhee's "Slowdown" and Theivery Corp's "Lebanese Blond". However, in my opinion, the follow up albums are a lot better then this one. Hi Fi Lounge 2 and 3 features more tracks that stick in your head and beats that make you nod your head, where as 1 is just kind of..."there". It's neither terrible nor fantastic, just kind "sets the bar", while vol 2 and 3 improve on the theme.

One note about people looking for this record: check to make sure the "Psycho Dubinvest" mix side is "centered". I have 3 copies of this bloody record, and all of them have the flip side off center (thereby creating that "moaning, wha wha" sound, physically represented by the needle gliding back and forth during play back). Whether or not more were printed to fix the problem, I don't know.