Andy Dragazis, a.k.a. Blue States, has finally hit U.S. shores with the domestic release of his debut LP. As one of the rare records that actually overshadows its own hype, Nothing Changes Under the Sun proves itself to be deeper, more diverse, and mind-alteringly greater than even the notoriously hyperbolic English music press claim it is. Plenty of tracks ("The Trainer Shuffle", "Stereo 99", "Spit and Soar") carry the summer bliss vibe to which the album"s title alludes, but Dragazis has delivered something far greater than a beach holiday soundtrack. Muscular, jazzy, live-instrument workouts such as "Looking Glass" and "Theme from Within" saunter deep within the estimable realm of a David Holmes or Thievery Corporation. "Diamente" and "Heroes" Elegy" give a slight gild to a page or two of Portishead"s book of rainy-day beats. It is "Elios Therepia," however, riding a Roy Rogers-style tune out into the great wide open, that is perhaps the most apt metaphor for the entire record. While most downbeat recordings seem to be about navel-gazing stasis, Nothing Changes Under the Sun is all about travel beyond ordinary borders. Book your ticket for the inner sphere now. --Bob Michaels