Fila Brazillia

Fila Brazillia are dead cool, there's no two ways about it, but something tells me that this cool factor was the furthest thing from their minds as they compiled their first-ever mix CD, kicking off the Another Late Night series. Here, long-time leftfield producers Dave McSherry and Steve Cobby have not only created a near-perfect chill track, they've given us true insight into their personal influences and favourites. As Fila Brazillia, they've been creating sublime down-tempo pieces since 1991; as music lovers, they've amassed a 20-plus-year strong collection, which has been whittled here to 14 worthy representatives, plus a gorgeous Fila cover of Nat King Cole's "Nature Boy." While the duo tip their hats to likeminded contemporaries such as Nightmares on Wax, David Holmes and Outside, the strength in their compilation lies in the musical diversity that spans decades. John Barry's harpsichord-driven soundtrack piece, "The Persuaders Theme," kicks it off in dramatic fashion, moving nicely through the strings 'n' tings of Homelife's ethereal "Firefly" to land squarely in blunt-afied outer space with the Infesticons' "Hero Theme" providing some free-flowing hip-hop. From there, the roots reggae of Prince Alla merges oddly but effectively into Mr. Scruff's anthemic swing beat classic "Get a Move On"; the chilled instrumental soul of Marvin Gaye's "T Plays It Cool" is brilliantly mixed into Brian Eno's classic "Regiment" and the Beta Band, Kelis and others join in the journey. Like a loving mix-tape you'd make a close friend, Fila's compilation is all about flow and passion. Lovely.