HIDDEN ORCHESTRA Vinyl & CDs

Review: For this reworked edition of Joe Acheson's most recent Hidden Orchestra full-length, Tru Thoughts has enlisted the talents not only of some of the label's most prominent artists, but also a handful of genuine heavy hitters. Check, for example, the epic, string-drenched atmospheric techno rework of "Wingbeats" by Traum Schallplatten regular Max Cooper, Throwing Snow's rubbery, flute-laden dub disco take on "Western Isles" and Matthew Herbert's typically glitchy Spring Dub of "Stone", which neatly recalls his early years as a maker of distinctive deep house. Elsewhere you'll find a gently unfurling jazz version of "The Lizard" by Skalpel and a thoroughly blazed, out-there rendition of "Serpentine" by dub maestro Wrongtom.

Review: Imagine that you're slumped atop a steep hill, watching the sun slowly rise as birds begin to tweet in the surrounding trees. It's that sensation - if not this very specific scenario - that seems to have been the inspiration behind Dawn Chorus, the third album from Joe Acheson's Hidden Orchestra project. Smothered in evocative field recordings, the album's ten tracks - each with a location-specific title - are a joyous celebration of the first flush of morning. With Acheson and friends delivering quietly positive, beautiful and picturesque pieces that join the dots between jazz, electronica and dawn-fresh acoustic music, the result is a concept album that not only justifies its overriding theme, but also sounds spectacular.

Review: Hidden Orchestra come through with their second album for Tru Thoughts, the impeccably moody Archipelago. Lead by DJ and producer Joe Acheson, there have always been plenty of parallels drawn with the Cinematic Orchestra, but whilst they undoubtedly occupy a similar space this should not distract from what is a truly rewarding listen. At times the mood is hypnotically atmospheric and others the Hidden Orchestra are gorgeously intense in their arrangements, and the ten tracks onArchipelago evoke thoughts of a score for a forgotten 1960s film noir classic. Repeated listen bears the similar sort of hidden layers and immense detail that marks out CO's early material too