Nightmares On Wax is the longest serving artist on Warp (first release in 1989!). Several underground classics later, DJ Ease is still going strong with 2008's Thought So..., another impressive album of dubby downtempo and nu-soul. Ease really shows his production dexterity here as each track sounds completely different from the previous one (2006's In A Space Outta Sound), but stylistically, it's flowing and cohesive. Ease starts it off with the jump-off "Da Feelin," then proceeds through the ragga dub of "195lbs," followed by two fresh soul tracks "Be There" and "Bringin It." At the middle, the celestial, Massive Attack-like "Calling" serves as a break that introduces the night time, chillout second half. Checkout the chocolately "Moretime" and the moving "Pretty Dark." "Hey Ego" ends it off in style with a Motown-style loops and dub beats. Double LP version in gatefold sleeve., 10 tracks in all with free mp3 download included. Recommended.

• 2008 album reissued
• double vinyl, gatefold sleeve
• free mp3 download included
• music label: Warp 2008 / 2014

reviewed by the mgmnt 09/2008