The Music Scene, Ninja Tune ***

New York producer Tony "Blockhead" Simon has always been one of the more reliable go-to guys in the game for anyone seeking proper widescreen, slow-motion instrumental cuts with oodles of atmospherics.

Aside from work with rappers such as Aesop Rock and other indie hip-hop heads, Simon's own albums, including 2005's Downtown Science, have shown his traffic-stopping skills. On The Music Scene, Simon turns to Ableton software to juggle multiple samples and stitch them into an enthralling narrative. A craftsman needs more than just state-of-the-art tools to stand out from the crowd, though, and what really shines through is how Simon charts, builds and develops devilish tracks, It's Raining Cloudsbeing one example. For more of that sort of thing, check the sinister Daily Routine, or the freestyle spacey bump of Which One Of You Jerks Drank My Arnold Palmer?. www.myspace.com/theblockishot

Download tracks: It's Raining Clouds, The Daily Routine