Now, we're trying not to hold all this against Stevens, especially since his recent work is surprisingly straightforward compared to the output of most other trip-hop producers, who are all very concerned with being "nu-jazz" or "broken-beat" gurus. His Mastered the Art album, released in 2001, feels like a slow, smooth ride in a vintage MG along the coast of the Mediterranean. The mix tape in the stereo is bumping the perfect blend of funked-up hip-hop beats, but tantalizing vibraphone, flute, and horn solos keep floating in on a sea breeze, adding a touch of intimacy and mood without taking away the raw B-boy appeal of the beats. Hopefully, when he comes to town to DJ this Saturday, Stevens's record selections and precise scratching will strike the same satisfying balance.