Ratatat-As a guitarist, Ratatat was one of the first "electronic" artists that I was drawn to. Mixing equal parts typical electronic elements and guitar virtuosity, Ratatat makes their music similarly accessible and appealing to a broad range of listeners. Below is a video of one of their more well known songs, "Seventeen Years":



In speaking of electronic music in the more traditional sense, I recently become a fan of the artist Aphex Twin. Although substantially less well-known than Ratatat in the popular world, Aphex twin is widely considered to be one of the masters of the ambient genre. His ability to produce ambient music is well documented in the album "Selected Ambient Works 85-92". Aphex Twin relies on a minimalist approach, and it should also be mentioned that this album was recorded entirely to a tape deck, a feat far more difficult then current methods relying almost entirely on computers. My personal favorite track has got to be the opening track "Xtal," which is undeniably sublime in its simplicity, utilizing a soft, syncopated beat and subtle yet euphoric leads:



Finally, I would be remiss not mention King Tubby, the father of dub music. One of the reasons I was drawn to King Tubby was his use of Reggae music, one of my favorite genres. I have been entranced by Tubby's experimentation with the deep, full sounds of Reggae rhythm, alongside the unique sound effects he pioneered (such as his signature "smack" sound that can be heard on many of his pieces). Most impressive about his work is the fact that most of it was compiled during the 1960s and 70s, and as a result done entirely through physical manipulation of tapes, an art that is rarely seen today. I've included one of his characteristic tracks, "Dub From the Roots" below:



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