Timeless

Missing the "Not" at the beginning of this title. Hard pass.

Yeah, if ever there were an argument for revising the list of 1001 albums you must hear, it's this unfortunately titled record from Goldie. From the opening 20-minute track that, surprise, does not need to be 20-minutes, it sure does sound like jungle-whatever from 1995. It would be easy to pile on to a genre of music that does absolutely nothing to me, but it's no fun being mean-spirited. I'll just say that there are records from this era that have really aged well, that sound like they could have come out any time in the past few decades, that I could see myself listening to in another decade. This is not one of those records.

1.6 - The type of bullshit Jeremy and Super Hans from "Peep Show" were into. "This is a Bad" by Goldie might as well be called "This is Outrageous" by Jeremy Osbourne. At best, some (2? 3?) of the tracks might work as background music for an outdated hotel lobby. The rest are junk. What a complete and utter SLOG. Shitty fucking album cover, too

Best enjoyed with illicit drugs or after suffering blunt force trauma to the cranium. For very low IQ individuals only

It was a day at work today, but you know what is great for cranking through the inbox? This album. Put it on, let the drum and bass set the groove, and zone into what needs to get done. This is adult adderall. I put it on when driving to lunch, and it wasn’t so interesting. But that’s not the point. This is an album with a specific purpose. And when heard through that acoustic lens (it’s a thing…and it sounds cool), this album deserves recognition.

This is, indeed, Timeless. What a FANTASTIC album to just put on and forget about everything else. The first track is over 20 minutes long; the second is over 7. This is a LONG album that you can just keep playing. Also, definite heads-down coding music, which will always push it toward 5-star territory for me.

It is very rare that a 10+ minute track earns its length, even in classical music or jazz, much less pop, so when I saw that the first eponymous tune on Timeless clocked in at 21:02, I was like "Uh, oh." Uh, oh indeed. The track starts out with godawful, ugly orchestra synth swooshes before some breakbeats kick in. I've gotta be honest. This kind of dance music has to be really creative and innovative before I can enjoy it and this music is just nothing special. At least Goldie is lucky enough to have a decent singer in Diane Charlemagne, although the melodies are pretty remedial. Actually, remedial is a good description for the entire track and this goes on for 20 fucking minutes. Good God! Given that the title track is obviously the centerpiece of the album, it would have been a miracle if the rest of the album was an improvement. Alas, a miracle was not forthcoming. Goldie makes The Knack look cerebral and deep.

It's Drum & Bass. Its a 5! Legendary album.

Classic album. Created the foundations of an entire genre. You can't knock it's importance and you have to remember it's over 25 years old! Also, important to remember Rob Playford's involvement! Plus RIP Diane Charlemagne. 9/10

Goldie's influence on D'n'B cannot be overlooked, but oddly enough his tunes have never been ones I've really loved compared with other producers. But I do recognise that if it wasn't for him, then some of the artists I prefer may not have existed. Was fun to listen to a whole album of his stuff as I wouldn't have if it wasn't for this.

Self indulgent, overwrought, journeyman drivel

‘Timeless’ is a staggering record. It’s widescreen in every sense. The production is amazing, and on a proper system it will blow you away. It still sounds vital, alive, and important all these years later. It’s not perfect: it’s way too long, and parts of it haven’t aged well, but you certainly can’t fault it for its sprawling ambition and cinematic scope. It’s smooth, silky, slinky, jazzy, dubby and warm and succeeds for the most part because its sound is so accessible. ‘Timeless’ was the record that made jungle/drum & bass sound legitimate to the masses, and in its best moments it’s mesmerising, well and truly transcending its club roots.

Man, does this take me back. Most of the 90s music that has come up so far have been things I have heard at least a bit of in the intervening decades. I didn't listen to Goldie or drum and bass until 98/99, then listened to it a lot for 4-5 years, and then haven't touched it since then. But it sure is familiar - took me back to that time about as much as it could without drugs and JNCOs. My good friend, who used the unfortunate moniker DJ Goon, used the first track in one of his mixtapes. "Inner city life/inner city pressure" immediately felt familiar - and missed! "Timeless" works great as background, but it rewards closer listening. Just as it settles in too much and gets too repetitive, it hits you with a break that just washes over you. Drum and bass presented an incredible leveling up of ambient music. Brian Eno walked so Goldie could run.

I really don’t like Goldie as a person. Might be an irrational hatred, I dunno. But whenever I see/hear him interviews I think he comes across as a massive prick. So I’ve never really been that fussed about exploring his music. This album was good though, a lot more tuneful in places than I thought it would be. The first track is pretty self indulgent in length, but Inner City Life is a tune so I forgive.

In keeping with the album being such a breakthrough for dnb, it’s more of a collection of ideas than a cohesive whole. This, in combination with the excessive length (which Goldie somehow managed to surpass for his next album) makes for lopsided whole. The tracks themselves, however, I have no issue with

A pioneering album that flipped the underground to the mainstream, Goldie hit gold with the chopped up drums, foreboding bass, synth strings and exquisite vocals from Diane Charlegmane (RIP). The scale and scope is ambitious and the album as a whole feels symphonic (no wonder Goldie’s interests turned to classical orchestral music later in his career). It may be overlong and perhaps a little dated but it is an extraordinary record, an example of a musician having a sound in his head with few predecessors and bringing it into life. It’s a really impressive record and whilst it won’t be universally beloved, it deserves its place on this list for its influence and impact.

I quite liked listening to this! It was a total departure from what I'm used to, but I totally got into the groove. I had never heard of 'drums and bass' music before and I liked all of the other sounds (water, women moaning, you know) that came along for the ride. I do have to say that I was a little dispointed when I read 'Goldie' as 'Blondie,' but wouldn't you be?

Yeah, I dig this. Great beats, inventive sounds, clever mixture of instruments. A nice add to my collection.

What the actual hell did I just listen to? Two hours of pointless, repetitive noise is what. The first track "Timeless" (a 25-minute drum loop) is clearly the title track. However, it should be the fourth track that gave the album its name: "This Is a Bad." What a trash album.

Drum and Bass and Jungle are very much uncharted genres for me. But this record really impressed me! The big opening track with beautiful vocal accompaniment and orchestral sweeps. Even the songs that are more hard hitting. This is going to be one of the records throughout this journey I enjoyed most to discover! 9 out of 10

Amazing album, I wasnt sure if I would like it from the first 5min of the opening track, but it sounded stellar. My parents listened to Goldie a lot growing up so i knew what to expect, it still impressed me. its a kind of genre I termed myself called trackmania music. Felt like I was floating with the stars

When I first heard this when it came out, Timeless was like entering another world. There were echoes of trance and jungle but this was so much more. The depth. The build ups. This was punk as f**k and furious cloaked under a veneer of something Mellow

Timeless indeed.

Why does everyone hate this album so much? It’s a good drum and bass experience. I know it’s not the most accessible of genres, but 2.57? Really? Anyway this is good. Not really ‘timeless’, but good. Reminds me of Aphex Twin in some parts, specifically Drukqs. Good electronic album. I guess I kind of like this type of music too much, though.

If you want to get people into DnB or jungle, this is the one. A collection of fantastic tracks that made Goldie a seminal dnb artist, adding long atmospheric effects and beautiful RnB vocals, justifying the artistic significance of harder breakbeat music that broke off from "happier" techno and house music. DnB is still one of the largest subgenres of electronic music. Here in Boston, Phoenix Landing still has a DnB night every Thursday, in the year 2023. And this might not be the case if not for the mainstream appeal of this album showing people what DnB is capable of. And with almost 2 hours of content, there's plenty of to be impressed by here. I can understand why most people who come across this will overlook it. It's 2 hours of hard breakbeat music, of course it's going to seem repetitive and overdrawn without any context or appeal. Even I start to struggle half way through and is better ingested in chunks. But every few minutes, there's always some really cool and trippy effects that catch my attention. Reminds me a bit of the high experimental value of certain trance artists like Sphongle. The track ordering is as good as I'd say it could be. We get out of the way the epic "Timeless" to showcase what the genre and Goldie are capable of. And for newcomers, I feel they should stop here and digest what they listened to before getting further. "Saint Angel" showcases the more experimental effects with incredibly hard beats to appeal to both dance crowds and fans of the more sophisticated methods of acid house or techno. Next track "State of Mind" is an incredibly pop-oriented track that stands side-by-side with trip hop artists and can pull in any more hesitant stragglers. From there, you what this album can show you as you look forward to revisiting your favorite components presented in new ways. Yes, it does repeat itself a bit, and I can't see anyone getting through the whole record without leaving it in the background to do other things, and there are a few tracks (especially in the latter half) that fail to justify their existence, but it's a marvelous DnB record with plenty to enjoy.

Classic EDM album. I definitely dig atmospheric/liquid D&B, and this is the daddy of all of that stuff. It's a bit over long for sure, but it's perfect music for focusing/work, which I use it for regularly. A very solid 4, almost 4.5.

Wow, one of these ridiculously long and bloated 90's electronic albums was actually... good?

This was one of those albums that still holds up well, and I think I appreciate the long opening "symphony" more as a grown up. It's a groundbreaking album that took drum n bass in a new direction that blended ambient, ethereal sounds with soaring vocals. A few tracks don't live up to the rest of the album, but overall I loved revisiting it.

Oh boy, this is good. I went through a short DnB phase as a teenager, but that led me into breakcore, then IDM and techno. There's only so many rabbit-holes you can go down, so I never really made it back to much DnB or jungle. All the beat arrangements and the bass lines are great here. There's not a huge amount of melody on top - some occasional piano loops, etc. What Goldie largely does is layer up ambient textures. But instead of making ambient music with beats, the end result here is really lively and drum-driven, with the ambience giving it a floaty, cerebral quality. For many of these tracks, I felt like I was just a brain and a pair of ears floating in a jar of music. There's some bassy, noisy elements as well, to give some rougher edges. For me, the only weak point is the lack of variety in the vocals or vocal samples. Sometimes they verged on the cheesier side of house music for me. But they normally fit with the track and are arranged really well in the track, so it's a small grumble. For this corker, a solid 4.5*.

Yes. I enjoyed very much. A little stale THIRTY years after it was released, but a great respite from the traditional sounds on this list. What happened to this guy?

Surpreso com a qualidade de produção e por ter gostado de muitas músicas, mesmo não sendo um estilo que costumo ouvir. Álbum enorme, com músicas de 20, 12, 10 minutos. Músicas destaque, principalmente as com vocais femininos: - State of Mind - Sea of Tears - Angel - Inner City Life

As a lifelong fan of Drum and Bass and it's derivatives I'm really happy to see some recognition on this list. Goldie was a pioneer of the old school style of the early to mid 90s that paved the way for the artists of today. Clean breakbeats, interesting bass lines, and great vocals make this a classic DnB album to show someone what the genre was all about.

Without a doubt this is _the_ coffee table drum & bass album, and I'm pretty sure it was my entry point to the genre, and gateway to the harder stuff. A glorious cinematic sound. Massive props to Diane Charlemagne and Lorna Harris for the beautiful vocals that tie everything together and make it a cohesive listen. Fave track - the "Inner City Life" section of the title track is iconic. "Angel" is awesome. "You and Me" is a great closer....

Never heard of this artist. I dig the drum n bass/jungle groove, and the instrumentation on top of the beat is quite varied and interesting. Some really nice piano parts scattered throughout as well. It makes good background music. There sure were a lot of seagull noises though.

From what I understand, this is an important album from the genre of Drum and Bass. Drum and Bass is a pretty niche genre, so your mileage will vary with how much you like the genre. For my money, I thought it was enjoyable enough. I like the atmospheric elements and how it enhanced the Drum and Bass (reminded me of Parkour Fortress. If you know you know). The obvious drawback is that it's an overly long double album. 105 minutes is a lot for any genre.

Yet more British ephemera that seems to just characterize so much of this list. The beats are really good, complex, and the drum textures just make is sound so expansive; but that’s not why I listen to music. This would be great at a party or in the background of a modern JRPG. Favourite track: “Angel”

Listening to “Timeless” without a huge sound system gentrifies it. The lengthy, synth-heavy opening abets this defanging, palming the audience opera glasses. This is the most ambitious among its peers in serving two, possibly incongruent, experiences: dance with trouser-flapping amplification, or listen on headphones, extreme frequencies muted, chin in hand? I bought it on release after reading a Melody Maker article comparing it to Coltrane’s “Giant Steps”. I hadn’t heard that either, so got it first: pretty good. “Timeless” mystified me, dauntingly long and alien, but seemingly sparse on the wallop I’d caught from what little jungle I’d heard on the radio. Listened to it compulsively for a few months, a little like how I read “Naked Lunch”, never to return until today. A few years later I strolled into a tiny club’s basement in Hackney where I found myself joining a few dozen grungy pixies in a cybernetic hoedown to piledriving jungle and realised the anarchic, raver utopia I’d expected. Thirty years have made this comprehensible and strangely fiercer: the breakbeats and patterns are more aggressive than I’d remembered, and the wobbly, slippery helicopter-like runs are psychedelic, modern, regrettably lost to the era. The jazzier, softer tracks, incongruous back then, make sense; digital soul in the ‘90s was proudly omnivorous, Massive Attack most prominently. “Adrift” doesn’t stir me, “Sea of Tears” still confuses me with proffered daiquiris, but I’m glad for them. Goldie’s an interesting guy and he put it all out there on this record, his first thirty years as electric cataract. The fleet, sometimes duelling rhythms still hold futurist promise, tempo shifts and blurred drum stutter like twisting and drifting F-Zero race ships. The last two remixes should’ve been dropped, though at least they’re brief. Expected a bore, this album has bubbled up out of deep memory a future-nostalgia for the optimistic thrill that came with this outpouring. To those interested, the remastered “Black Secret Technology” by A Guy Called Gerald is an adjacent masterpiece. Requiscat, Diane Charlemagne, “Timeless”’s main voice.

I fucking love jungle and drum & bass. This is a fire album. I think it is important to remember that this list is a well rounded lists that highlights the crux and peaks of a lot of genres. There are a lot of fake music listeners who can't listen to something outside their comfort zone. Its just jungle & drum and bass. Nothing too fancy or left field of a genre in electronic music. I think what this album does is accent the lostness that drum and bass is supposed to guide you on. I love the long songs on this album. Truly a joy to listen to.

Wild album. I appreciate the ambitiousness the artist is trying to pull off. 20 minute opening tracks are usually reserved for 70's prog rock albums. Not my usual listen but still enjoyable.

Timeless I listened to the 2 CD version first, and then I made a playlist of the 8 track single CD version for repeat listens. It’s a perfect album for working to, if you need to focus. It is long though, whichever version you listen to, but despite an inevitable similarity across the tracks I didn’t find it boring at all, or inert in the way the MJ Cole album was. The synths, keyboards and occasional guitars give it a great brooding atmosphere, with elements of ambient, and the vocals by Dianne Charlemagne have a lovely soulfulness, a little Soul II Soul, a little Massive Attack. The title track is great, the ‘Inner City Life, Inner City Pressure’ hook and the flutes are excellent. and Sea Of Tears is great. But it's the overall mood and feel I liked, for an album based around a specific rhythmic pattern and with very little vocalism and lyrics I did find it very expressive, little bit of anger, little bits of sadness, little bits of beauty. It's on the cusp of 3 and 4 - I'll definitely listen again when I need to focus or am in the mood but does that make it a 4? The length is definitely an issue, but it is a very good album nonetheless. Think it just edges a 4 ⌛⌛⌛⌛ Playlist submission: Sea of Tears

This has aged quite well, sounding better to me today than when I pretended to like it in 1995. Way too long, of course, but not in an irritating or distracting way; indeed, the endless drum'n'bass repetition is quite propulsive, assisting in the completion of everyday tasks. Goldie is also a top geezer by all accounts.

Good background work music

it has its good moments, but the album doesn't know what it want to be - -dance? Funk? sort of has some good tunes but not what I expected.

This might not be very gangsta for you Goldie but this was a great album to do the ironing to. It’s just too long. I’ve only got an hour of ironing to do, not two hours.

Very bold choice to open this album up with a 20 minute song. Almost to say, either you're going to like us or hate us. Well, I'm here to say I'm in the middle. For this being a pretty cool electronic album that came out in the mid 90's, I think that's impressive. For it being as long and repetitive as it is, that makes it less impressive. I don't know the history behind Goldie (maybe a cousin to Blondie?) but I'm imagining they inspired a lot of future electronic artists. It's a very intriguing album, it just runs way too long on every track.

Well, that was certainly unexpected. This group and album, and pretty much the whole genre they're in (not sure what to call it; "electronica," I think? but it has vocals, so not really sure), are all so new to me, and not what I usually listen to. There are some very interesting things going on here. Don't like all of it, but I really like 'Inner City Life.' The vocals are so soulful and soaring, with a really great bassline and beat under it. I don't usually like a lot of synthesizers but some of these tracks are really good. I think it's the rhythms they use, and, as mentioned, the vocals.

I'll be honest. I've heard the name Goldie before and simply assumed that it's a random female pop singer. That should tell you more or less how much I know about D'n'B. That said, I really enjoyed this album a lot more than I expected. Especially the first half. My favorite track was State of Mind. eventually I found the album dragging on for too long however. And it being a bit samey, it started to get boring eventually. Therefore rounded down from 3.5.

Muitas influências de eletrônica moderna, DnB, jungle. Me lembra bastante em especial SBTRKT, Squarepusher e Four Tet. Uma barreira alta de entrada, mas o ouro está mesmo no recheio do disco.

This is not very creative.

dated and never-ending

If I was off my tits in a dark room in the 90s, this might be incredible, but I'm not, so it isn't.

It was pretty good at first, but when the remaining 2 hours was the exact same thing it got old quick

This just felt really long and I guess it was. The 20 minute opener set the tone here and I don’t think anything else surpassed it. Maybe DnB just isn’t for me.

Not offensive or necesseraly bad, but just too damn long. Everything starts to sound the same, which is not helped by the fact that the main drum pattern is the basis for drum n bass. Two stars for pioneering a gene

I go into each album with an open mind and always give them a shot, even if I can tell it's not going to be my thing. I finally found myself wanting to skip ahead, thinking that I must be a decent way through the album by this point, BUT IT WAS STILL THE FIRST SONG. I love me some 90s electronica and trip hop and can appreciate the trailblazing aspect of an album like this, but having just seen that the album runs nearly two hours in length, I don't think I will be listening to the whole thing.

Excluding its role in the history of DnB music and with me personally to liking this genre too much I don’t rate this album very high. Though I can imagine this was or still can be a good and hypnotic listen for many.

Drum and bass for outsiders like me. The pretty guitar loops and sound effects signify pop, while the female voices add emotional depth. But as the ambience sets in and the sense of time dissipates, it gets increasingly tedious, though never so specialist that it feels hostile.

I was not expecting to like this, but lay that melancholy upon me! This album luxuriates with infinite sadness, like you're heartbroken but you're lying on the beach in Rio so it's not wholly bad. Each song takes it time, taking the listener one step deeper into sadness. There is no solution, not upbeat "you'll get over it" vibes. No, the album leaves you on that beach with tears in your eyes and the realisation that being there means nothing when there's no one by your side.

I like beats and drums, but unfortunately I was not high enough to enjoy this on a weekday. Maybe once murphy figures out how to sell weed in New Jersey I can come back and reassess.

I'm sorry, I get drum and bass but it's just not for me. I really don't want to rate this one star because it's good, I'm just not the person who would enjoy 2 hours of this. Unless I was on something.

This thing is called “Timeless” because once you finish listening to all two hours of it, you’ll have less time to do the things that actually interest you.

Why would someone decide to make music only to create two hours of this?

Two hours of drum and bass that ruined my Friday.

This was another roadblock album for me, just couldn’t get through it. I am fine with some beeps and boops but not 2 hours worth, sorry

Come on man, this was just garbage. 3/10.

You might remember his full mouth of gold teeth from such films as ‘Snatch’ and ‘The World is Not Enough’

Really good. Probably 4 stars. I gave it 5 because I am a low-IQ individual.

keuken werd nog nooit zo schoon

HOLY FUCK

A pretentious title, to be sure, but one that is completely accurate. Flyer single “Inner City Life” stopped me in my tracks when I first heard it on the radio in 1994 and on the album it is expanded into a 20 minute prog opus. In the early days of electronic music that would have been Side A of a classic album, but here it is just the first track. There are numerous classics on this one hour and 45 minute epic. The only mis-step is “Adrift” in which we realise how important the “drum” in drum’n’bass is when it’s missing. But that not enough to stop it getting the maximum rating.

Qua jungle-albums kun je niet veel beter krijgen, geloof ik. De titeltrack is wel echt een episch stuk, meer dan 20 minuten lang, maar het verveelt nergens.

Nothing says "lock in" like some good ol' drum and bass.

shit was fire and dope

I thankfully split this up in its discs throughout the day. Earlier I listened to disc 1, and now I'm finishing up disc 2. It really helps recognize how fucking good all these songs are, because I'm no longer being bogged down by that 2 hour runtime. This is some fine jungle work, I really wish I could dock points for the length but it's too good to bring myself to giving it any less than a 5. Still think Roni Size is best DnB, but this one is also amazing. Also why the hell is Inner City Life on here 3 times 😂

When you're in commute, you're gonna need something to assist you in movement. Whether it is the start of the day, in the middle of it or towards the end, something of a considerable length is required to help make sense of the sights around you. The rush of the crowds and the magnitude of its mutable size, jostling amongst one another to get to their varying destinations. Music like this helps with that. Whether he intended it or not, Goldie helped crystallize a sound that had been bubbling under the surface for some time and, regardless of what would become of it, it wound up being what it was ultimately called: timeless.

A masterpiece that sounds great and influenced so many drum & bass artists to come. But the title track is too long. 21 mins… come on!

Pas mal pour écouter au bureau 5/5

That was great, I'd never heard the album or knew Goldie. Going to enjoy it on long bike rides.

This is right up my alley. Yet another album I've been happy to discover on this journey. Timeless is an epic opener, A Sense of Rage, and Angel are other standouts.

Blinding drum and bass

**Goldie - *Timeless*: An In-Depth Review** **Introduction** Released in 1995, *Timeless* by Goldie is often hailed as a groundbreaking album in the drum and bass genre, blending elements of jungle, breakbeat, and ambient music into a cohesive and innovative sound. As Goldie's debut album, *Timeless* not only established him as a pioneer of electronic music but also pushed the boundaries of what drum and bass could achieve artistically. The album's combination of complex rhythms, lush soundscapes, and evocative lyrics has left a lasting impact on the genre and beyond. This review will delve into the album's lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence, while also discussing its strengths and weaknesses. **Lyrics** *Timeless* is not primarily a lyrical album; its emphasis is on musical composition and atmosphere. However, the album does include vocal contributions, most notably from singer Diane Charlemagne, whose soulful and haunting voice adds depth to the tracks "Inner City Life," "State of Mind," and "You & Me." The lyrics often convey themes of urban life, existential contemplation, and emotional introspection. For example, in "Inner City Life," Charlemagne sings: *"Inner city life, inner city pressure, inner city life, inner city pressure / taking over me, yeah"* These lines reflect the tension and struggle of living in an urban environment, a theme that resonates throughout the album. The repetition of the phrase "inner city" underscores the relentless pressure of urban existence, while the vocal delivery conveys a sense of both resignation and defiance. In "State of Mind," the lyrics are more abstract, dealing with themes of identity and self-reflection: *"Why is it that we’re never happy with what we got? / We always want more, always want more"* This introspective questioning adds a philosophical layer to the track, inviting listeners to ponder their own desires and motivations. Overall, the lyrics on *Timeless* serve as a complement to the music, providing emotional and thematic context without overpowering the intricate instrumentals. While the lyrical content is not the album's primary focus, it effectively enhances the mood and atmosphere of the music. **Music** Musically, *Timeless* is a rich tapestry of genres and influences, blending elements of drum and bass, jungle, ambient, jazz, and soul. The album is characterized by its intricate breakbeats, deep basslines, and ethereal synths, which together create a sound that is both aggressive and meditative. The opening track, "Timeless: Inner City Life / Pressure / Jah," is a 21-minute epic that encapsulates the album's core sound. The track is divided into three sections, each with its own distinct mood and tempo. "Inner City Life" begins with a melancholic string arrangement before transitioning into a driving breakbeat, punctuated by Charlemagne's vocals. The "Pressure" section intensifies the rhythm with heavier beats and darker synths, while "Jah" closes the track on a more ambient and dub-inflected note. Throughout the album, Goldie demonstrates a masterful control of dynamics and pacing. Tracks like "Sea of Tears" and "Saint Angel" showcase his ability to create tension and release through the use of shifting tempos and layered textures. The percussion is often complex and syncopated, creating a sense of forward momentum even in the more ambient passages. Goldie's use of samples is also noteworthy. On tracks like "Kemistry" and "Angel," he incorporates vocal snippets and atmospheric sounds that add depth and character to the music. These samples are often manipulated and recontextualized in creative ways, contributing to the album's unique sonic identity. **Production** The production on *Timeless* is nothing short of revolutionary. Goldie, alongside Rob Playford (the album's co-producer and engineer), crafted a sound that was ahead of its time, setting a new standard for drum and bass production. The album's mix is clear and spacious, allowing each element of the music to be heard distinctly, while still maintaining a cohesive overall sound. One of the standout aspects of the production is the way Goldie uses reverb and delay to create a sense of space and depth. Tracks like "State of Mind" and "A Sense of Rage" are drenched in reverb, giving them an almost otherworldly quality. This use of effects helps to blur the line between the organic and the synthetic, creating a dreamlike atmosphere that permeates the entire album. The drum programming on *Timeless* is also exemplary. Goldie’s beats are intricately programmed, with each snare, kick, and hi-hat meticulously placed to create complex rhythmic patterns. The drums are often layered with additional percussive elements, such as congas, shakers, and cymbals, adding to the album’s rich sonic palette. Another notable aspect of the production is the use of strings and orchestral elements. On tracks like "Timeless" and "Adrift," the strings provide a melodic counterpoint to the rhythm-heavy compositions, adding an emotional weight that elevates the music beyond the confines of typical drum and bass. These orchestral arrangements are lush and cinematic, contributing to the album’s epic and timeless feel. **Themes** The themes explored in *Timeless* are as varied and complex as the music itself. At its core, the album deals with themes of time, memory, and the human experience. The title itself suggests a desire to create music that transcends temporal boundaries, aiming for a sound that is both contemporary and enduring. Urban life is a recurring theme throughout the album, particularly in tracks like "Inner City Life" and "State of Mind." These songs reflect the pressures and anxieties of living in a modern, fast-paced city, but also the resilience and creativity that can arise from such an environment. The music often mirrors this duality, with frenetic breakbeats and ominous basslines juxtaposed against serene synths and soothing vocals. Another prominent theme is the search for meaning and self-discovery. This is evident in tracks like "Sense of Rage" and "Sea of Tears," where the lyrics and music explore feelings of frustration, longing, and existential doubt. The album’s introspective moments are balanced by more uplifting and hopeful tracks, such as "Adrift," which suggests a journey towards self-realization and inner peace. Spirituality and mysticism also play a role in the album's thematic landscape. The use of samples from religious and philosophical sources, as well as the ethereal nature of the music, gives the album a mystical quality. This is particularly evident in tracks like "Jah the Seventh Seal," which incorporates dub and reggae influences, hinting at Goldie's connection to Rastafarian culture and its themes of redemption and spiritual awakening. **Influence** *Timeless* has had a profound influence on the development of drum and bass and electronic music as a whole. At a time when drum and bass was primarily an underground genre, *Timeless* brought it into the mainstream, without sacrificing its artistic integrity. The album’s success demonstrated that electronic music could be both commercially viable and artistically ambitious, paving the way for future artists to explore new sonic territories. Goldie's innovative use of orchestration and cinematic sound design set a precedent for the genre, influencing countless producers and musicians in the years that followed. Artists like Roni Size, LTJ Bukem, and Photek were all inspired by Goldie's work, and *Timeless* is often cited as a seminal album in the evolution of drum and bass. Beyond its influence on the drum and bass scene, *Timeless* also had a broader impact on electronic music as a whole. The album's blend of genres and willingness to experiment with structure and form resonated with artists across different genres, from trip-hop to techno to ambient music. This cross-pollination of ideas helped to break down genre barriers and encouraged a more open and eclectic approach to music production. **Pros and Cons** **Pros:** 1. **Innovative Production:** The production on *Timeless* is groundbreaking, with its intricate drum programming, lush orchestration, and creative use of effects setting a new standard for electronic music. 2. **Emotional Depth:** The album's ability to convey a wide range of emotions, from urban anxiety to spiritual transcendence, makes it a deeply affecting listening experience. 3. **Genre-Defying Sound:** By blending elements of drum and bass, jungle, ambient, jazz, and soul, *Timeless* creates a unique and multifaceted sound that has remained influential for nearly three decades. 4. **Cohesive Concept:** The album's exploration of themes such as time, memory, and the human experience is handled with sophistication and depth, giving the album a timeless quality. 5. **Strong Vocal Performances:** Diane Charlemagne's contributions add a soulful and human touch to the album, providing a counterbalance to the often mechanical and abstract nature of the music. **Cons:** 1. **Length:** At nearly two hours in length, *Timeless* can be a challenging listen for some, with its extended track durations and complex arrangements requiring patience and attention. 2. **Accessibility:** The album's avant-garde approach and experimental sound may not appeal to all listeners, particularly those unfamiliar with drum and bass or electronic music in general. 3. **Pacing:** Some tracks, particularly in the album's second half, can feel meandering and repetitive, potentially causing listener fatigue. 4. **Lyrical Ambiguity:** While the lyrics add to the album's atmosphere, they are often abstract and open to interpretation, which might not resonate with listeners seeking more direct or narrative-driven content. 5. **Niche Appeal:** As a pioneering work in the drum and bass genre, *Timeless* is primarily appreciated within certain music communities, which may limit its broader appeal. **Conclusion** *Timeless* by Goldie is a landmark album in electronic music, offering a unique blend of genres, innovative production, and deep thematic content. Its influence on the drum and bass genre and beyond cannot be overstated, as it helped to elevate electronic music to new artistic heights. The album's strengths lie in its ambitious production, emotional depth, and cohesive concept, making it a rewarding listen for those willing to engage with its complexities. However, its length and experimental nature may present challenges for some listeners, and its niche appeal means it may not resonate with everyone. Despite these potential drawbacks, *Timeless* remains a monumental achievement in music, capturing a moment in time while also transcending it. It is a testament to Goldie's vision and creativity, and its impact continues to be felt in the world of music today.

Amazing bumping album. Great for work

Long as hell but one of the best albums in the genre.

such a good vibe

This is a banger and right up my street. I love dnb and seeing one of the founding albums of the genre here fills my heart with joy. I played it in the car and my 7 year old loved it as well so thumbs up all round.

It's like a travel to another world. Amazing

whoa

This and DJ Shadow were my soundtrack during some Raver years. I smoked a joint and drove around listening to this yesterday and never got to where I was going.

One of the finest artists and producers the UK gave to the world. Are some of the tracks overlong? Yes, but the depth and experimentation deliver magnificently. I met Goldie at a house party back in the day. He's an absolute gentleman.

Genre defining one. And the one i spent my final school years listening to. Unforgettable.

Fucking classic, when the bass drops 5 minutes into the opener is just epic. Long time DnB fan, gotta give this top rating since it may be the only one of the genre on this list.

meh

Fuck yes, this is an absolute banger. Goldie smashing it to bits with a heavy chunk of drum n bass junglist meat

Hard to overstate the importance of this record. Superb

Superb, and timeless 4.5/5

Early dnb and jungle inspiration

It's fair to say that given the choice between listening to this record by Goldie or ramming 15 pork pies up my ass so hard, I piss blood for the next 3 months, I'd listen to the music. That's not to say I don't love being chock-full of pie, but the music of Goldie is simply perfect.

As the title says timeless. Although this blew the scene up was and is a great album

Fantastic work. I love this album.

Non stop epic