Having made a few dollars from contributing music to Grand Theft Auto as well as CSI NY hasn’t affected the ability of this Scotsman to craft a beat that junkies want to hear while not situated in front of a television.

Releasing music since the ‘90s Michael Hunter – here recording as Pablo – has been able to encompass the stylistic shifts of hip hop and electronic music over his recorded career. And on his newest disc, Turntable Technology, the producer unlooses over an hour’s worth of music, spread over two discs, that has as much to do with jazz and ATCQ as it does with video games.

The title track of the album should probably summon images of Bowser and power-ups. In just over a minute’s time Hunter gives listeners music that’s not just well composed, but endearing and headnodic.

Of course, this European isn’t all Mario Brothers and car chases. “The Story of Sampling” works in effective strings as well as enough empty space and pauses to convince any critic of his prowess. Fortunately or not, there’s actually not another beat on Turntable Technology that gets into the same realm as this track – “Sky High” gets closest with its dusty horn samples, but there’s not the same sort of persistent inventiveness here.

Turntable Technology isn’t inconsistent, just broad. So, the disc might not appeal strictly to the rap crowd, but they’re sure to find something to latch onto.

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