(Thrive/Fool's Gold)

www.thrivemusic.com

A-Trak's profile is pretty high these days, thanks to his day job as Kanye West's touring DJ and part-owner of his own label, Fool's Gold. He still moonlights as a club DJ, however, and his latest album, Infinity +1, makes it clear why. There's not a whole lot of scratching or beat juggling here, talents he's excelled at since his days with the Invisible Skratch Picklz. But A-Trak's attention to detail, beat-matching ability, and track selection make mix this more of a journey than a jaunt.

The album begins with a couple of hip-hop and electro tracks, engaging the listener straight off the bat with a light-hearted, party vibe. Kid Sister's "Life on TV," MSTRKRFT's "Bounce (A-Trak Remix)," and KIM's "Party Machini" are some early selections that set the mood. From here, A-Trak gets decidedly more introspective and clubby. Sebastien Tellier's "Kilometer" (another A-Trak remix), Alexander Robotnick's "Problemes d'Amour," and Midnight Juggernauts' "Shadows" are all songs one might not expect to hear, given A-Trak's predominantly hip-hop background.

But that's why Infinity +1 works. It's not exactly what you'd expect, but it's not a marked departure from A-Trak's version of the norm. He is showing and proving his talents here in a completely un-flashy but satisfying way, making this an excellent new mix CD for any fan of hip-hop or electronic music who's willing to expand his or her horizons.

Standout Tracks: "Stuck On Repeat" by Little Boots "Kilometer (A-Track Remix)" by Sebastien Tellier JONAH FLICKER