Oresund Space Collective: West, Space and Love

"The Øresund Space Collective was formed in April 2004. It started off as a collective of Danish, Swedish and American musicians that got together as often as possible for free form improvised space rock music. The flavor of the music is different with each session. The jams can often combine complex interplay between guitar and synthesizer as well intense drumming and bass playing. We have always had two guitar players and two or three synth players as the core to compliment the bass and drums. The current active Collective Members include: Tobias, on guitars and effects; Magnus, on guitars and effects; Stefan, on guitars and effects; Jocke, on bass; Thomas, on bass; Scott, on synthesizer; Mogens, on synthesizers; and PIB, on Drums" (http://www.oresundspacecollective.com/%D8resund%20Space%20Collective%20Biography%202009.pdf, 2012).

West, Space and Love was recorded between Oct 10-11, 2009, at the Space Station Studio CPH, Copenhagen, DK. KG plays acoustic guitar, electric guitar, and sitar; Dr. Space, plays synthesizers; and Love, plays Darbuka, acoustic guitar, and spring drum" (http://www.oresundspacecollective.com/%D8resund%20Space%20Collective%20Biography%202009.pdf, 2012).

West, Space and Love is one of those spacey synthesizer albums that you must hear with headphones on to truly appreciate all of its intensity. "High Rise" opens with cool surrounding wind effects before the soft, well-paced drumming begins. The guitar joins in to help unveil the light buried in the opening of the song. Simply amazing guitar playing paced perfectly with Darbuka.

Then, the magic really begins with "Kafi, (For Your Love)". There is enough sitar here to fill volumes of air, after the exquisite, early Pink Floyd – like, organ and synthesizer opening. Played so slowly you can take in every note and savor its sound fully. Simply magical, but wait, there will be more sitar!

"Spirit Blues" is excellent fluid acoustic guitar with supporting Darbuka and spacey synth themes surrounding.

"Repetition" may sound like a bland name, but the sitar work is anything but. Another track helping to make this album and band a great find.

"Sitars in Space" is my favorite track on the album. Just the name itself rocks. Imagine that title and slide back in your easy chair and immerse your senses in the near reality of experiencing it. The 'floating' sitar notes are again calling you like Morrison's "Blue Bus".

This album is full of interesting sounds, themes, and synth instrumentation balanced well with wonderful drum work. I'm listening to the back catalog and picking out some new favorites already. Happy I had a chance to be introduced to this excellent headphone music.

Track Listing:

1. High Rise
2. Kafi (For Your Love)
3. Spirit Blues
4. Repetition
5. Sitars in Space

Added: April 11th 2012
Reviewer: Mark Johnson
Score:
Related Link: oresundspacecollective.com
Hits: 2619
Language: english

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