What makes Soul Trader by Ils notable?

The album gained notable attention within the drum and bass community, particularly for its innovative use of soulful samples combined with intricate rhythms. It helped solidify Ils' reputation as influential producers in the genre, leading to further remix opportunities and collaborations with prominent artists. Soul Trader is Ils' debut studio album, released in 2002 after establishing themselves in the electronic music scene with earlier EPs and singles. At this point, Ils aimed to showcase their unique sound, transitioning from club hits to a full-length project that encapsulated their musical vision.

How many songs are on Soul Trader?

Soul Trader has 14 tracks, running approximately 75 minutes.

Soul Trader

Ils · 2002

75 min · 14 tracks

A dynamic blend of liquid drum and bass with an infusion of soulful melodies and pulsating beats.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Only Way to Survive — This track exemplifies Ils' signature style, blending smooth vocals with a driving bassline that captures the essence of their sound.
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Find a Way — With its uplifting energy and catchy hook, this track showcases Ils' ability to merge melodic elements with dancefloor appeal effectively.
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Prohibition — This song stands out for its darker tones and intricate production, highlighting Ils' versatility within the drum and bass genre.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

71 /100

Treeline

Higher than 52% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong production and unique blends of styles, though it has some unevenness in pacing.

What we noticed

The album opens with a high-energy track that sets a fast tempo, maintaining this pace through the first half before introducing more melodic elements.
Several tracks feature soulful vocal samples layered over intricate drum patterns, creating a contrast between rhythm and melody.
The last three tracks slow down the tempo significantly, allowing for a more reflective atmosphere as the album concludes.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 6 Space (Next Level) 5:43
2 Are You Ready? 5:46
3 Prohibition 4:04
4 Only Way to Survive 4:04
5 Find a Way 6:00
6 Western World 4:01
7 No Soul 5:21
8 Feel Alright 5:35
9 Kashmir 5:29
10 Music 5:47
11 Jackpot 5:15
12 Trapped 4:42
13 No Soul (High Contrast mix) 7:35
14 Music (Evil Nine Punk Rocks mix) 6:20

What to play next

Listen next

ILS Presents: Y4K

2003

Go back to

Idiots Behind the Wheel

1999

Full Ils discography Artists like Ils

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata