If Quantic aka Will Holland’s records are already some of the most solid music this side of the Panama Canal, what would make you think that a The Best of Quantic collection could be anything less? Beginning with his unfathomably impressive debut The 5th Exotic, Mishaps Happening, up to his recent interests in Latinoamérica, Quantic has gone through various iterations, styles, and musical metamorphoses. Thinking about this collection as a sum of its parts, The Best of Quantic 2-cd compilation brings together some of the standout selections from his previous records stemming from Quantic’s original downtempo and melodic arrangement to his salsa-merengue-cumbia Flowering Inferno project to some of his even more recent work with Quantic and his Combo Barbaro.  Showcasing the cream of the crop from these Latin-infused South American rhythmic flavors as well as old school Quantic favorites, Holland’s collection draws from records such as Caliventura, Tradition in Transition, Tropidelico and beyond (it contains some new and exclusive cuts).

Consisting of 32 songs clocking in at roughly two and a half hours, this collection highlights rare tracks as well as some standards from records like Dog With a Rope, 2008’s Death of the Revolution and more traditional stylings from the group that started it all—Quantic Soul Orchestra—with records such as Stampede, Pushin On, and the collaboration project with Spanky Wilson entitled I’m Thankful.  Some of my favorite cuts from this record include “Transatlantic,” “Super 8,” the Latin-reggae dub track “Death of The Revolution,” and the ever-funky “Elemental” by The Limp Twins (another one of the many pseudonymns of Holland). The last track abovementioned is highly slept on (in addition to many other tracks included in this collection) which make it worthy of purchase. While some of the songs feel a bit out of place (thus is the fate of the compilation), it ultimately doesn’t detract too much from the music itself. While I tend to enjoy music that’s contextualized in the loose narrative and packaging of a record, compilations such as these speak to a different type of organization that is just as meaningful.

An essential collection that spans the main selections and some serious gems from the roads less travelled, Quantic’s Best of collection doesn’t disappoint. All the songs are at some level danceable, being infused with electronic, jazz, funk, hip-hop, reggae, and cumbia vibrations that get the body really moving. A worthwhile investment and a fantastic way to enter into a whole new world of music you never knew existed, Quantic’s stylings will open you up to sounds far and beyond. Every listen is an education in samples, sourcing, capturing, performing and above all arranging. Head nodding beats galore and live instrumentation compose this essential dual-disc collection. Check out The Best of Quantic and immerse yourself in the profound and uplifting sounds of the world through the calculated instrumentation of a genius of musical expression.

For more information on the specifics of some of the songs and styles presented in this record, please see my review of Quantic Presenta Flowering Inferno’s Dog With a Rope as well as a free download of “Transatlantic” and an impressive J.Rocc mix of many of the joints featured on this record.

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