Review: Oakland-based Tartelet regular Space Ghost is a hard man to pin down, musically at least. As this fine album proves, his trademark sound has many notable reference points - the slipped synth-boogie of Dam Funk, the dusty synthesizer ambient and sticky rainforest samples of the 1980s new age movement, the starry futurism of Detroit techno and the kaleidoscopic synth-bass fusion of Lone, for starters - but also occupies a sonic space all of its own. Naturally, the album is impeccably produced, draws on all manner of beats and basslines, and is the kind of set you'll never tire of hearing. Melodious, picturesque and atmospheric from start to finish, Endless Light is an unassuming triumph.
Review: Hailing from California's Bay Area, Sudi Wachspress AKA Space Ghost should need little introduction to lovers of downtempo beats by now: this is his seventh long-player. More importantly, though, it's an album that's worth checking even if you're NOT normally a big fan of the style, because there's a much stronger dancefloor sensibility in evidence than on previous output. Opener 'Sea Snake Island', for instance, could easily slot into an early-doors deep house set, as could the vaguely melancholic 'Lavender Oil', while the title track has something of jazz fusion air about it. It all adds up to 50 minutes of really very pleasant listening indeed...
Review: Sudi Wachspress, AKA Space Ghost, delivers his eighth long-player in just 10 years. The Oakland, California native has carved out a sound that draws on house, disco, R&B and disco as well as strong influences from the LA beats scene, and the result is an album that operates largely at a walking pace, and as such is probably best appreciated in a home listening setting, with 'Feeling Real Good' and 'Prayer For You' providing the only obvious dancefloor moments. Standouts include the haunting 'Love Beam' with its haunting, looped vocal and bruk beat-y bass squelch, the druggy, slo-mo jazz-funk of 'Mystery Angel' and the sultry, soulful 'I'll Be Yours'.
Review: Three years ago Tartelet offered up a tasty compilation of previously unheard cuts, with all sales revenue going to charity. "The Second Best Time Is Now" follows the same formula, with sales income going to the Natural Resource Defence Council. Musically there's much to admire throughout, from the hazy reggae/blues/trip-hop fusion flex of Wayne Snow and Digitaluc's "Worrying State", to the deep intergalactic electronica of Glenn Astro's "Taking Care of Business", via the dreamy, synth-heavy jazz-funk of Space Ghost's "Groovin" and the Orb circa 1991 goodness of Dirk 81 and N.O.T.E's brilliant "Cosmic Plastic". Great music for a good cause: what more excuse do you need to stick it in your cart?
