Blockhead, the Manhattan rapper turned prolific producer on the sublime Ninja Tunes label (and of Aesop Rock fame) returns with the (ironically?) entitled The Music Scene (TMS). This follow up to his 2007 release Uncle Tony’s Coloring Book eschews what could easily have been a frustratingly extroverted fourth album and instead refines the beats, the themes and the shimmering rhythms that have made him such a pivotal part of his scene.TMS opens in characteristically sedate fashion, not in the least eager to impress and with nothing to improve. It’s all the better for it, and titular second track reveals the reticence of Blockhead (born Anthony Simon) to deviate (for the sake of it) from his signature sound; lyrics such as “The music scene has got me down/‘cuz I don’t wanna be a clown” giving way to lush, warm beats and the ever-effective percussive handclap. It’s the middle-eastern lead line fading in and out that elevates this particular track; more generally though Blockhead has a real knack for layering unusual, distinct sounds over organic drum patterns, and it’s the consistent sense of expectation that holds your attention unusually well for such an ambient record.In many ways however, TMS is dangerously close to sounding like a streamlined, optimized summation of Blockhead’s previous records (2004 debut Music By Cavelight especially). His was never a solo sound easily described as bold or innovative, and this LP certainly doesn’t (endeavour to) push any boundaries or challenge any preconceptions of what a Blockhead record should sound like. As such, it comes highly recommended to those who have no such preconceptions, but must necessarily be less recommended for those who do.Hype aside, to Blockhead’s credit this (digital) effort actually comes close to sounding like it’s running on vinyl, even though it’s not released as such until January; the notion of a needle getting stuck into these grooves is tantalising. Be it on vinyl or no, the gently swelling, lethargically mesmeric instrumentals make for great music to drift off to. Â Whether it be to a chilled out haven in your mind or even to sleep, you get the feeling that Anthony ‘Tony‘ Simon would be happy either way.