A short time ago, one of my housemates and myself were discussing Moby as an artist that produced music that let you totally relax. A week or so later, he was recommended 'Entroducing' as running on the same lines as Moby. Entroducing was wonderful, full of music that was original with every playing. Last week, I heard the contents of 'Pre-emptive Strike', which has unfortunately been deleted by Mo Wax. For anyone lucky enough to get a copy, I would highly recommend it as a disc that even makes Entroducing seem superfluous.

OK, yes, a few of these songs have been readily available on other releases. But that aside, I would go as far as to say that Preemptive Strike contains some of Shadow's greatest moments.

As epic as Entroducing is, this collection pushes the envelope even further. What Does Your Soul Look Like part 2 is nothing short of vast in scale with its dramatic strings, crashing drums and mournful vocals. In contrast, part 3 is delicate and minimal, a meandering flute and tinkling piano taking centre stage. Every defining characteristic of Entroducing (delicate ambience, long patient pauses, impeccable drum breaks, slow, smoothly paced song dynamics) is taken that bit further in these songs. Despite being a collection of separately composed tracks, the album flows surprisingly well, with Organ Donor and High Noon as the perfect closers.

Put simply, Preemptive Strike is an absolute must for any fan of Entroducing.

A collection of Shadow's pre-major label recordings, 'Pre-Emptive Strike' towers over 'Endtroducing...' in some respects. Having owned a copy on cassette for some time now, I have learned to appreciate Shadow's masterful sampling skills. No-one can quite match Shadow for his skill on the turntables (apart from perhaps Q-Bert).

In/Flux is my favourite track on this LP. It is beyond words, so I will not try to describe it. I think I will simply say buy this LP...

With some fantastic re-mixes from the "endroducing album" and new material as well, all this album may look to ofer nothing different it shows a greater level of thought and layering than "endtroducing". With five tracks making up a singular mini-opus it demonstrates the maturity and sheer genius of Dj Shadow

For those of you who don't already have Endtroducing, stop now, click off this page and buy that now.

For those of you who are still here I can tell you now this album is more shadow, which is a VERY good thing - however, I personally feel just a touch "fobbed off" by this release - you ownly really get 5 new tracks (Two parts of "What does your soul look like" are simply mirrored from Endtroducing) and the remix of Organ Donor is nothing too new and groundbreaking. However, there are three tracks on this album that are up there with his best - High Noon, an upbeat guitar driven track and What does your Soul look like parts 2 & 3 are nothing short of amazing...

Worth it for these three tracks alone but shurley this is an EP relase rather than a full album?