The Family Album is a nicely priced compilation from the Language label run by Tony Thorpe (formerly in 400 Blows, now Moody Boyz). For several years now Tony has provided a forum for many beat experiments that have proven to be quite essential. The British trio in Elixir (not the American one) produce another fine strings & beats track, "Ballad For Lisa And Peter," that operates in the same John Barry-loving area as Cup Of Tea's Grantby. Endemic Void (aka junglist Danny Coffey from Brass Wolf, and Tertius) represents the drum & bass side of things with "Dark Blue," samples sampled from Renegade Soundwave in a DJ Krust-like acoustic bass-led roller. "Dark Blue" is also found on The Family Album's preview twelve-inch with Chrome's funky rap track "Melody" (apparently made by an unnamed Metalheadz label producer). Language's family also gets international with Japan's Tao providing a fine Red Snapper-ish track "Scroll" and Italy's funk-rockers Bio Muse revving things up with "Socially Bankrupt"'s big beatz and out-of-control guitar. With that kind of energy no wonder Bio Muse's next album will guest Kevin Martin and Alec Empire.