Thanks to Richard Hellier for getting in touch to a long-time Øresund Space Collective (and all things related) fan. I didn’t need a second invitation to review the latest from Dr. Space and co. There are four pieces on “Space with Bass IV” (with approximate times): ‘Draptomaniac’ (13 min), ‘Slowker’ (6:45), the title track (32 min) and ‘Surfing the Sea of Bass’ (13:30) with Hasse Horrigmoe on bass guitar and effects, Dr. Space taking care of the synths, Hammond, Mellotron and mixing. We are assured this is a more mellow album than its predecessor, so let’s have a listen! I am happy to confirm Richard’s assessment; the album is typified by undeviating basslines, synth and sustained organ notes conjuring up images of strange alien landscapes, the synth sounding uncannily like the old Juno synth I used of one of my own earlier albums i.e. retro; the title track is the most absorbing with an atmospheric amalgamation of keyboard sounds.
The title of ‘Life is Hell’ on “Music to Disappear To” is reflected in what I can only describe as an industrial alien landscape conveyed by sound and some spoken words – I don’t know if that was the intention but it is certainly the impression. The album is a sonic wonder if rather bereft of distinctive melodies, using a variety of classic keyboards such as Hammond, Mellotron, ARP Odyssey and Nord and easily classifiable as ambient electronic and experimental on second track ‘Smile and Rotate’ and beyond. The title track, at 15 minutes, is also the shortest of four and follows a similar pattern, a slow, repetitive build-up with choral effects and the customary whooshing, swirling and swishing synth sounds we have all come to know and enjoy since the early days of Tangerine Dream and the like, impressionistic rather than definitive in terms of translation in musical terms. ‘Frozen Hypothalamus Pie’ would probably be my pick as a starting point, and not just because of the title, an uncompromising piece of music with some truly ‘out there’ sounds; again, it doesn’t really go anywhere in particular, but that is the point, I think. The music is available on limited edition CD and download.
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