The Black Dog

Recorded before the genre known as IDM ("intelligent dance music") had congealed into its eventual form, the Black Dog's Bytes is a thrilling snapshot of U.K. electronica at the pivotal moment when Detroit techno and rough-cut jungle influences began to open up into headier sonics and rhythms. Released in 1993 on Warp, the album was presented as a compilation -- it's Plaid's first appearance on record, in fact. But all the artists credited were really various configurations of the Black Dog Productions trio. From downtempo to driving acid house, every track is a revelation.