The much hyped collaboration between James Lavelle, DJ Shadow and a team of the world's most popular alternative lyricists will surprise most knowledgable listeners with its understatement. Besides the opening rap and scratch, and a breakbeat jam near albums end are the only moments of turntable madness here, the rest of the tracks fit into a category I can only describe as trip-rock. Layered guitar, and subtle rhythmic grooves manipulated by heavyweight Shadow, create haunting soundscapes that are unsettling and often captivating. Featuring vocalists Thom Yorke (Radiohead), and Richard Ashcroft (the Verve), who were half their current stature when this project started more than two years ago, U.N.K.L.E. shows that the Mo' wax records founder has interests far from his labels roots in Jazz, hip-hop, and electro. If fans of individual contributors can loosen their expectations, they will enjoy a very moody, complicated ride.