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 V.A. The Soul of Science 1xCD 3xLP Obsessive
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This compalition is surely one for the obsessed music lover. It throws you
from side to side, from one genre to another through fourteen carefully
selected tracks. It is based on a chronology of the influence of the synthesizer, that magical mystical multi-purpose instrument, upon all sorts
of music. We at Freestyle however mostly don't care much about compilers
notes and inlets when it comes to tasting music. Since you've chosen us to
be your guide through this fine compilation, you'll have to stick with us,
right. Ian O'Brien kicks off, being one of the compilers, with a track that pushes my memory to produce the sight of the incredibely fantastic FreeZone 1 CD that features classic ambient from the nineties. It's true that they seldom make this kind of straightforward ambient anymore, music that wants to soothe your mind and not desperately tyring to capitalize on the succes of aphex twin or the orb. 'Love Beams' by Lonnie Liston Smith is a mellow 70s lounge track with the nice tingling sounds and trippy bassline. Finally someone cares about the tracks that were used to be just fillings for the two classic LL Smith albums ('Expansions' and 'Visions of the new world'). Now for someone who notices similar great pre-ambient like soundscapes on Dexter Wansel and MFSB-albums. Tracks from David Axelrod, Be Bop Dawg and Tamba Trio represent the Latin section. The nice synth melodies in these tracks add indeed a nice twist. More freaked out 70s stuff comes from Shuggie Otis and George Duke, revealing both their hidden sides. This is proto-electronica at its best. And we get up close and personal with co-compiler Kirk DeGorgio too on the sofa-suited 'Kaleidoscope' produced under the name of Elegy. Entrancing soundscapes mingle with stereophonic effects. More nu electronica with Super-A-Loof (Kirk himself again) and Seiji. But then it's time to bring out the big gun : Herbie Hancock was after all the first to introduce the synthesizer into jazz music and, together with Kraftwerk, everyone who makes electronic music today owes him alot. 'The Spook Who Sat By The Door' is an unreleased track quite remarkabely featuring the bassline from Herbie's 'Actual Proof' (featured on the album 'Thrust'). Spin-off ? Bass-line recycling ? Dumped version ? Just kidding ? Doesn't matter, you can't leave out Herbie Hancock if you're talking about the influence of synthesizers on modern music and this track does a pretty funky job of representing the master. For the icing on the cake there is the disco classic 'Ride The Groove' by The Players Association. Some people may find the inclusion of disco cheap but they are just frustrated. Like Guns'n Roses once said to people who didn't like their lyrics : 'Go and find something in the New Age Section'. Apart from the noise they made, we couldn't agree more. The Soul of Science is original, qualitative and refreshing. The reason for all this being, I think, the fact that it's a highly personal compilation. outspannov00 'Lay in a course for planet Synth, Kirk'. 'Ia-ay, Capt. O'Brien'. 'And turn that Headhunters record over, I want to hear that great 15 minute long 'Chameleon' track again. Maybe we should include that on our next compilation, euhm.. I mean adventure log of course.' 'An excellent idea Captain. Change is the essential proces of all existence.' 'I get to say the famous quotes around here, Kirk. And do something about that haircut of yours.' [extract from 'The Soul Of Science - The Making'] |
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