know, instinctively, that what Dabrye is doing is worthy of praise. I know that “Intrdctn” expertly mixes eastern sitars with a jazz piano, a stand up bass, and a bouncy, vaguely hip hop beat. I know that “Won” puts a single flute note, a rubbery bass line, and a hand clap enhanced rhythm together into a relatively banging song. I know that “No Child Of God” slowly encroaches on your consciousness like a virus with a slithering bass line that will not allow itself to die. I know that the jazz inflected piano of “D-town Tabernacle Choir” will appeal to fans of electronic music that uses samples of old time music and paints it in a new context. I know that “You Know The Formula Right?” would probably sit easily as a backing track on the forthcoming Tribe Called Quest album, if the rappers were so inclined to change the game once again. I know that “This Is Where I Came In” gives the Clipse’s “Grindin’” a run for its money as the best minimal, yet infectious as hell beat of the summer. I know that the vocals on the same song are perfectly matched to the song’s tone- minimal and catchy. I know that “Evelyn” wouldn’t sound out of place on a jazz and hip hop compilation release that would bring together the best of instrumental hip hop together (DJ Shadow, RJD2, DJ Krush, Dabrye, etc.). I know that “Prospects (Marshall Law)” appeals to me in its use of stereo panning and the static, yet ever changing, quality of its rhythm. And I know that “Take Me Home” is the perfect end to this album, with its understated beats and large, out of focus bass line. I know that the album, as a whole, is pretty satisfying as individual tracks- and I may even put a few on mix tapes that I’ll be making in the near future.


I know that if I had a CD player in my car that I wouldn’t mind to have many of these songs banging out of my speakers as I roll down the street. I know that Dabrye usually doesn’t have a second idea in his songs- and in dance music that’s not necessarily a problem. I know that, at thirty minutes, this release will probably have people wanting more from Dabrye. I know all of this about Instrmntl.


Problem is, I don’t care for it that much.