A perpetual workaholic, Squarepusher (a.k.a. Tom Jenkinson) released three albums in rapid-fire succession in 1997. While his complex compositions stayed admirably fresh over each disc, by the end of the series it was evident that he had exhausted every trick in the abstract drum & bass book. On Music Is Rotted One Note, Squarepusher wisely expands his musical palette by sidestepping the conventions of electronic music. Relying primarily on minimalist jazz patterns and contemplative rhythms, he creates a low-key freeform soundtrack that is accented beautifully by electric guitars and moody bass lines. --Aidin Vaziri