Plod

Released in 2009 on James Braddell's own independent terms after his seminal run on Ninja Tune, Plod represents a refined evolution of the Funki Porcini project. While Braddell helped define the '90s trip-hop and nu jazz sound, this album strips away the more frantic 'drill and bass' experiments of his past in favor of a cohesive, slow-burning aesthetic. The track 'Landscape No.1' serves as the album's centerpiece, a seven-minute excursion into ambient-jazz territory that highlights Braddell's skill as a sound designer. Critically, the album was noted for its 'unhurried' nature, living up to its title by allowing sounds to decay and breathe. It occupies a unique space in his discography, bridging the gap between his sample-heavy early work and his later, more abstract audiovisual experiments. The production is remarkably crisp for a record that feels so 'dusty,' showcasing a sophisticated use of digital processing to mimic analog wear.