BEST OF 2004

Afrika Bambaataa

Dark Matter Moving at the Speed of Light

(Tommy Boy)

Old-school electronica has never sounded as fresh as on this release by the godfather of 1980s electro and hip-hop. Afrika Bambaataa's signature Kraftwerk-like synths, funky machine-programmed drums and electronic special effects, tribal-like percussion and rap are mixed to perfection. AD

Beastie Boys

To the 5 Boroughs (Capitol)

The Beasties marked their spiritual and physical return home to Manhattan with typically off-the-cuff, Bush-baiting lyrics set against a stripped-down, old school turntablism. The manic Ch-Check It Out was one of the sounds of the summer. Older? Yes. Wiser? Slightly. DW