The Story of Acid Jazz

Metro's double-disc The Story of Acid Jazz collects the highlights from the style and label's heyday in the late '80s, including tracks such as Galliano's "Frederick Lies Still," the Brand New Heavies' "Dream Come True," the James Taylor Quartet's "A Good Thing," and Vibraphonic's "Trust Me." Snowboy, the Subterraneans, and the Quiet Boys are some of the other better-known artists on the album, although for acid jazz fans, the compilation's real value might lie in the names that aren't so familiar: Mother Earth's "Apple Green" and "Jesse" are unusually soulful contributions, while Ohm's "Sweet Ohm" takes a funkier, more abstract turn and the Apostles' "Super Strut" embodies the smooth yet funky style that came to characterize acid jazz as a whole. Overall, The Story of Acid Jazz is a solid collection that should please acid jazz diehards and newcomers alike.