I have found myself in a very different place towards the end of last year and the start of this year musically. I’m just not dedicating as much time to listening and purchasing records and really have been focusing on the releases that I find absolutely essential. This has been good for my wallet but not for writing reviews. I have really been struggling trying to put this review together and figure out how to say that, for my tastes Vol.2 is not as effective for me as Vol.1. Though I do like the album, it’s just not hitting that sweet spot like the first edition which place very high on my year end list.. Perhaps it’s a bit far down the jazz hole, or maybe it’s simply just too much flute for my liking, or maybe I simply have just not found it while in the correct mood. Where Vol.1 found a delicate balance between early 70’s Kosmische music, and elements of drone and ambiance and volume, Vol.2 turns up the jazz. Vol.1 had more sax and intricate guitar work and to be honest a bit more punch. Vol.2 explores the quieter side in a bit more depth. For a good chunk of the record there is fair amount of interplay between the bass, drumming and flute with very little prominent guitar work. It’s not until track 4, “Casper’s Green”, that we get a return to some sax, volume, and spacey effects. This is where the sweet spot of this record begins for me as we roll into “Emerald Sea” which features some classic 70’s style Lou Reed-like guitar noodling over some organ tones which creates a more even flow and open space. “Current Analysis” is a quick hitter that emphasizes the experimental nature of the band with some low end sax and atmospherics. The album closes much as it started with “Desert Star Leaf” and “Floodbio”. For me at least, this is an album of time, place and mood and finding that time and place has escaped me for the most part. An odd thing for me to say because I usually enjoy the lighter side of things but this record needs a bit more energy. Something I want to try this year with my reviews is to maybe revisit a record six months down the road and post some additional thoughts. This one is a perfect candidate. Don’t take my word for it however, this is clearly a highly regarded record that deserves a more engaged pair of ears. I should at least say that in the month i have been listening to this release it has continued to grow and improve with each listen as i discover it in more depth. So perhaps it just need more plays which is fine by me.
Released by El Paraiso
