Old Codes : New Chaos

Released in 1994 as the downtempo/chill out/trip hop sound was codifying in real-time, this collection of previously released and additional material was the debut album from UK duo Steve Cobby and David McSherry as Fila Brazillia. A collection of dance floor-orientated deep house, laid back electronica-breaks and beatless ambient pieces, Old Codes… possesses a level of detail and innovation that would go on to define Fila Brazillia’s successive, and impressive discography. The house tracks have dated remarkably well, “The Light Of Jesus” and “Brazilification” in particular come with a rich, dreamy musicality, layers of intricate percussion and nicely indulgent elongated arrangements. “Pots And Pans” and Fila Funk” are hybrid dance floor tracks again characterised by what sounds like extreme attention to detail, while the ambient tunes like “Feinman” and “Whose Money” provide filmic sonic palette cleansers. A top-quality beginning to an influential ten-album run.