Androcell - Efflorescence [Celestial Dragon; 2006]

[furthur]

Androcell – Efflorescence

 

Artist: Androcell (USA http://www.androcell.com)

Title: Efflorescence

Format: CD (digipack)

Label: Celestial Dragon Records (Hong Kong http://www.sonic-dragon.com)

Cat. #: CDREC-03

Date: March 2006

Mastered by: Simon Polinski

Artwork: Tyler Quasga Smith

 

Track listing:

 

01. 09’10” Process of Unfolding

02. 07’39” Neurosomatic Circuit

03. 07’58” Atmos-Spheres

04. 07’37” Spectral Processor

05. 06’54” Aes Dana – Natti Natti (Androcell rmx)

06. 08’51” Efflorescence

07. 07’21” Gnome Dosed

08. 07’02” Dub Crickets

 

Review:

 

Music is “the immediate language of the will, and we feel our fancy stimulated to give form to this invisible and yet so actively stirred spirit-world which speaks to us”. (Nietzsche on Schopenhauer’s understanding of music)

 

After three weeks of enjoying this new album, I have decided it was time to review it. First of all, I would like to mention that personally I have found that I got into this album much faster than I got into Emotivision, which took me several months to really start appreciating it. But then again, maybe having his first album as one of my favourites for the past year allowed me to delve deeper and faster into Androcell’s sophomore attempt: Efflorescence (either “a gradual process of unfolding or developing” or “the highest point; the culmination” as per the back of the digipack).

 

So without further ado, dimming the lights, getting out the booklet with the artwork that accompanies each song and pouring myself some tea, I slip Efflorescence into the CD player.

 

1. Process of Unfolding: Having my personal hero, RAW, open up the album with a musing on space-time is a good omen. The extremely cerebral intro takes its time to unfold scratching the audience’s brains in the process. Only at three minutes do we get a steady very tribal percussion and a chanting (one that will stay with us throughout the song) to go along with it. The layers of sound just keep on piling onto each other without disturbing one another. Exactly at 4:20 (coincidence?), the beat really takes off suggesting the hypnosis that is to come. The process of unfolding proves to be highly energetic as well as very relaxing at the same time. Depending on the mood, one could either chill to it nodding one’s head at the opportune moments or really let loose on the dance floor trying to keep up with the drums. Right off the bat, it seems that the drumming got even more intricate in Efflorescence than it was in the debut album. The didgeridoo-infused outro contains another RAW sample and takes us very seamlessly into

 

2. Neurosomatic Circuit: where vocals are beautifully woven into a melody that is extremely present, much more so than in the first song. Here we get a steadier dubby bassline, around which other sonic layers will be assembled. The song itself with its repetitive patterns could activate a couple of neurosomatic circuits, whether one has eaten it, smoked it, or just listened to the piece. This is definitely some very heady and extremely psychedelic material, not your background chill stuff. Slower than the opener, Neurosomatic Circuit is meant to make one float away to whatever beautiful world one has been seeing in hir dreams recently. Makes me think of being on a far away planet and reminiscing about an Earth sunset, one [manly of course] tear rolling down my cheek.

 

3. The transition into Atmos-spheres is slightly more noticeable than the previous one but one could still easily mistake the third song for a continuation of the previous. On this one, we are treated to some more floating atmos-spheric scapes surrounding the heavy but not overly present bassline. The melody is once again something very much in the foreground, but we get another dose of particularly involved percussion encircling it not interfering with the very distinctive trancy feel that the song has. This should be dropped in the middle of a set when everyone is deeply immersed into hir own worlds. We are always brought back to ourselves (who are by now with those we belong with in the clouds) though by a slow but constant addition of sounds into the mix. Can’t wait until I upgrade whatever needs to be upgraded and watch the video that goes with this song.

 

4. Spectral Processor: While it is also mixed into the previous song very well, this is the first time we can distinguish the beginning of new song. Right after Raw delivers his “Think of the universe as an enormous computer”, we are swept by a rhythmic thumping that erupts very quickly into a sonic frenzy; forget staying seated. This piece is a bit less intricate musically, but what it has lost in that realm it gains on the dance floor. After having spectrally processed a couple of little pieces of paper a couple of weeks ago, by this song my body was totally out of control and undulating to the beat without me having any say in it (ahh, the memories). This could fit very well into the suspenseful moments of the soundtrack to 3001: A Space-Time Odyssey, dissolving at the end into a peaceful epilogue.

 

5. Aes Dana - Natti Natti (Androcell rmx): Right from the start we are in anticipation mode, and at about 40 seconds, that steady Aes Dana bassline gets underway and soon thereafter Shenyah Webb’s beautiful vocals come along to keep it company. This has a more ominous and darkly mystical quality to it than the rest of the album so far. The contrast between the spacey slowed down trance that we have come to know in Aes Dana’s work and the down-to-earth soul-piercing female singing works very well here. Anyways, the singing is very very beautiful, but I miss the detailed percussion work I have grown accustomed to during the past half-hour. Good, but is for me one the weaker pieces here. If not for the vocals, it would probably be quite forgettable.

 

6. Efflorescence: First of all, I have to mention that while all the accompanying artwork is very nice, this one (the one we also see on the cover) blows me away completely. After that spacey atmosphere of the previous, we get a very ethnic-influenced song with lots of aquatic sounds and sounds of nature woven into the mix. The title song also takes its sweet time to launch, something I appreciate a lot. All of a sudden we are treated to a robotic electro-type singing, which works very well here (I love contrasts, especially when they are done well). While very elaborate once again, this song gives the impression of being one of the simplest here, which is why - the minimalist that I am – I enjoy it so much. Another fine example of the massive production levels Androcell has achieved, taking elements that could easily clash and putting them together in such a way so as to seem to be meant for each other from the beginning.

 

7. Gnome Dosed: where the crickets make their first noticeable appearance in the intro, and the dub is once again the driving element. This is not only a standout on an album where standouts are really hard to pick; it is definitely a standout in electronic downbeat. Bouncy psychedelic colourful electronic dub at its best. Nothing else to say. This is where music becomes the highest purpose of man and language would be but a poor imitation if an attempt to describe the music was undertaken. A full return to the Dionysian cannot be far off.

 

8. Dub Crickets: where the cricket theme is taken further and things get toned down a bit for the closing of what was quite an engaging listening experience. This song was clearly made with spliff smoking in mind. Very hypnotic once again without forgetting the mind-twisting dose the psychoanalyst has prescribed. This is where one’s being is completely stripped down and the producer succeeds in reconstructing the audience slowly piece by piece while putting together the structure of the song. Dub Crickets turns out to be yet another proof that a wedding between a Jamaican bassline and a Middle Eastern singing could work very well, especially if the two spouses are such complete individuals in themselves. A befitting emotional ending to a roller coaster of an album slowly dissolving into a field full of crickets.

 

All in all, this is a huge effort by Androcell that will be playing in my stereo for decades to come. A combination of sounds that seems effortless, which is how such high quality music should sound, effortless. There is enough material here to keep the body and mind entertained and engrossed no matter what is happening outside of the headphones. Androcell took the ethnic and dubby elements of Emotivision and threw in a heavy dose of tribal for good measure, which makes the album even more danceable than its predecessor.

 

I can see what would make its critics accuse it of being plastic; there is indeed quite a bit of repetitiveness, but that is what makes it so hypnotic and entrancing. Do not get me wrong, there is not a second where the album gets boring. It must be the bassline that sounds plastic to the critics, but lets get real, this is electronic music, and Efflorescence is as far away from plastic as electronic music gets. There are no new ingredients here per se, but the cauldron has never seen such a mix of these ingredients before, not my cauldron at any rate. I cannot even fathom how good this will sound once it will have had a year to grow on me, because this type of music, when done right, always sounds better with time.

 

Two more elements must get special mention here, elements that are sometimes forgotten. One is the flow of the album. The harshest critic cannot say that this is a bunch of songs thrown together; no, this is a prime example of what they call a concept album. It keeps you on edge throughout the duration. As mentioned above, the first three songs play like one and the transitions are seamless afterwards as well, with the exception of the evolution of Efflorescence into Gnome Dosed.

 

The second element that deserves its own paragraph is one that will go unnoticed by none: the artwork. The cover art is sublime, and the blend of the organic and the digital is very representative of the music. Furthermore, there is a booklet inside with a page dedicated to each song. While a couple are not exactly my cup of tea, some others are worthy of hanging on my walls, and I am extremely hard to please when it comes to visual art, and especially what they call psychedelic visual art. The standout pages for me are the first 2, number 6 and 8.

 

The songs are all of very high caliber here, with number 5 being only good for me, and numbers 2,4 and 8 being extraordinary and as already mentioned 7 being out of this world.

 

All in all, this is a highly recommended album for any lover of chillout electronica (didn’t want to say downtempo because the tempo becomes quite “up” in places) and an absolute must for a lover of ethnic or dubby influences in said genre. 9.4/10.

[abasio]

This is definately a great album. I cant say which are my favourite tracks because it just all flows together perfectly. I really enjoyed this and have listened to it a lot over the last week or 2. All the sounds I think are sublime and the mastering on the album is tip top.

It also has the feeling that it's only going to get better under repeated listens (listened to it 4 times now and it has got better with each listen) so by the time it comes to the best of 2006 you might just see this up there.

Other artists prove me wrong please. Try and make better music than this and 2006 will be a fantastic year for music.

I highly recommend this album.

 

PS

Great review, one of the few I've properly read all the way through.

[mind.breeder]

Excellent review furthur. Excellent album too - every track is very good end they cooperate well in a pack.

[JackCheese]

Nice review indeed furthur, I enjoyed reading it.

I've ordered the cd recently, can't wait to get my hands on this piece of plastic

[RAH]

Artist: Androcell

Album: Efflorescence

Label: Celestial Dragon

Web: www.sonic-dragon.com , www.Androcell.com

CAT: CDREC-03

Sonic-Energy: http://www.sonic-energy.net/core/content/view/192/2/

 

 

1. Process of Unfolding

2. Neurosomatic Circuit

3. Atmos-Spheres

4. Spectral Processor

5. Aes Dana – Natti Natti (Androcell Remix)

5. Efflorescence

6. Gnome Dosed

7. Dub Crickets

 

 

What's This About

 

Efflorescence is the act of gradually unfolding to reach the peak of development. Tyler Smith graphic design director for Saiko Sounds is also behind most of the covers for Sonic Dragon, as the moniker of Quasga. After a two year gap from the debut album Emotivision, Mr. Smith makes a return to his musical inclinations charged with new proposals & an undeniable growth as an artist in both fields. Like is tradition now, the smoker-friendly beats and psychedelic artwork splash the release with eight stories designed with sight and sound in mind.

 

 

Per-Song Break Down

 

 

1. Process of Unfolding *

 

"We experience the feeling that this body right here and now, is only a cross section of a process that has been going on for 4 billion years on this section of space… It is not a story of processes out of control, it’s a story which gives unto every part of the unfolding experience." the unfolding is translated in sonic terms as a tingling, gliding effect that gently erupts and boils as if photosynthesis itself actually made a sound. The voice that accompanies the journey turns into jabbing noises liquefied by the green fluid itself, enveloping the xylophonic beats as the lake bubbles... in this section of space.

 

 

2. Neurosomatic Circuit *

 

The circuit is strangely soulful number, slowing the pace down and exploring dubby material which is strangely native and glitchy-synthetic all at once. Mixing influences and genders with ease, it begs the question of whether a clear artistic identity has formed beyond adapting all these influences, to throw them in a mix that sounds pleasing. Well, who cares… digital habibi, with dub undertones, binary crickets and a Smoker’s Delight aura does the trick for me. *

 

 

3. Atmos-Spheres *

 

“You truly belong with us here among the clouds…” Atmos-Spheres remains atmospheric (duh), with a Hindu-type of whistle performed by Agalactica (Philip Khripkov), accompanied by a trip hop-ish beat that is ever so slender and pointy. Once again the digital distortion comes into play as a rhythmic topping, over the gently breezing melodies and the feeling we are listening to a lounge tune that has been spiked with a pinch of heaven.

 

 

4. Spectral Processor *

 

The first minute of ambient delight with paddy lines unfurling amidst modern-day Global Communication intonations (think Pentamerous Metamorphosis), reflects a successful adaptation to beat-oriented older IDM material, back when it made sense and it was truly floating-away music. Really touching without deflecting into the Hindu vibes, with a sense of magnificence and universality that screams for an ambient remix by Carbon Based Life Forms.

 

 

5. Aes Dana - Natti Natti (Androcell Remix) *

 

Taking on the mammoth of Natti Natti by Aes Dana, originally presented in the Season 5 album -and what farken amazing CD it was- Androcell twists around the original version successfully with his own ideas, vocals and effects. I might go as far as calling it better than the original. Aes Dana is great but the general pace of their tunes is too slow and once we hit the sweet spot, it never changes. The remix sweetens the deal with more interaction and dynamism in the different elements that unfurl and recoil back, keeping the interest alive.

 

 

6. Efflorescence

 

Besides having the best daft punk vocodic homage I have heard in a while -considering I was never an ‘Around the World’ fan- I’m not to keen on them, but that’s just me. The breaks that could well be mixed with slower house tunes, work very effectively with the arpeggiated melodies and the flute is just as tasty.

 

 

7. Gnome Dosed

 

If the thought of dub with a Caribbean slice had gone amiss for your taste, the Gnome Dosed spells redemption with all those great delays and warm rhythms, without saddling along aimlessly. I really enjoy the detuned harp-type of line fitting into place with the other elements; but within the genre I just feel like this theme has been repeated one too many times. Anyway, I agree with the gnome, it is very ppssyyycchhhedeliwwic…

 

 

8. Dub Crickets *

 

Welcome to the island: Tis’ twilight and the full moon overlooking a turquoise blue ocean shore, with waves gently breaking by a reef covered in golden sand. A female chants as effects scratch and jump back amongst the kicks entwined deliciously in sweet piano lines. From the corner of your eye you notice the Rasta-mon looking at you funny… wondering, perhaps… if you’ve had too much, but not nearly enough…

 

 

 

All and All

 

Having a superficial knowledge of Androcell’s album it hit me, perhaps this could be a decent electronic dub fusion that sadly we don’t see much in these musical confines of chill out, with the exception of Capsula perhaps. Efflorescence proved to be so much more, unfolding the myriad creases of detail that hide from superficial skip-through sessions. This album is made to be played again and again until the glossy booklet is worn out, in the joyous discovery of the secrets that lay ahead.

 

 

Where to Buy

 

http://www.saikosounds.com/english/display...ase.asp?id=5439

 

http://www.psyshop.com/shop/CDs/cdr/cdr1cd001.html

[furthur]

great review, rah

 

indeed an album to be heard over and over again, like a good book

[X-scream]

Excellent album.. I love that organic, mystic atmosphere present throughout the whole album. Track 2 and 3 are truly amazing, instant classics that will be played yeeeears from now

[amphiton]

Listening to this again after some time and I consider this to be the best chill album I've heard this year. Magical!

[SkeletonMan]

According to the digipack efflorescence means a. a gradual process of unfolding or developing, or b. the highest point; the culmination. Quite a bold title for an album! So, is Androcell able to live up to his title.

 

In a word, yes! While downbeat releases can have a hard time grabbing my attention for longer periods of time, Efflorescence somehow succeeds maintaining my interest. It quite simply flows right from track one and once on Tyler "Quasga" Smith's ride you wanna hear this album through to the end. With its' occasional dub inspiration I'm not quite sure what albums to compare it with, but think Ultimae possibly a little more upbeat. Highly recommended for downtempo lovers and quite possibly a contestant for downtempo album of the year.

[Drosophila]

THis definitely gets my thumbs all the way up!!!

Great release!

Love track 2, 3, 6, 7 yaeh and the bouncy dubby feel in track 8 too I just love psychedelic dub

 

Just glad I finaly got my hands on a copy of this one, gonna be played a lot in the future I think! It's on my best amb/chill release list of 2006!

[traveller]

It's good but nothing special..

[Snapinho]

I think this is definitely a good release, but not all that all the time. There's times where I just love it and there's times where I get a little annoyed by the richness of the album. It's cramped really full with a lot of sounds, nicely fused ethnic flutes, dubby rhythms and a feel-good atmosphere. My favorites are I think Neurosomatic Circuit, Gnome Dosed and Dub Crickets. The flute is sometimes a little bit too much for me, but as a whole I think it's a good example of how Psychill can also be done. Not too cliched and full of ethnic chants and instruments, but warm and psychedelic, atmospheric and dubby. And not to forget: the artwork is something else too!

[abasio]

Androcell

Efflorescence

Celestial Dragon Records

2006

 

Tracklist

 

1. Process Of Unfolding (9:10)

2. Neurosomatic Circuit (7:39)

3. Atmos-Spheres (7:58)

4. Spectral Processor (7:37)

5. Aes Dana - Natti Natti (Androcell Remix) (6:54)

6. Efflorescence (8:51)

7. Gnome Dosed (7:21)

8. Dub Crickets (7:02)

 

 

I had just gotten into Androcell's 1st release Emotivision by the time this came out & I thought that this might need similar time to sink in & have me enjoy. However this I enjoyed straight away so I thought I would get tired of it quickly but more than a year has passed & I still enjoy it so I must conclude that it is a really good album. It manages an organic feel pretty well but it's like a psuedo organic feel. It doesn't feel like any nature I've encountered on Earth but more like the natural environments on other planets I've traveled to.

 

 

1. Process of Unfolding

We start the album with a trippy sci fi vocal & it instantly creates a vast mood like an early universe. The sounds seem to run down the walls of my mind like water & the quick but light bamboo beat continues the alien nature feel. When the beats kick in properly they are nice damp intricate beats. I love beats like this, they really add something to the track instead of being predictable. The layers slowly get layered on but it never becomes too dense & remains an enjoyable journey through the greenery of outer space.

 

2. Neurosomatic Circuit

A bit slower this time with more of a bassline. Very much more a track to get lost in. The vocals are half prominent but occasionally muttered so your mind switches gear trying to understand & lets the rest of the trippy atmosphere in past the blockades. I'm put in mind of the sky in early evening just before the suns about to set. Walking through a green field towards nowhere in particular but just enjoying the late summer breeze. A very nice relaxed summer track.

 

3. Atmos-Spheres

Continuing the feeling of bright blue skies but a little higher, the soft percussion gifts this a lift & the melody to my mind makes me feel like birds flying around. You truly belong with us here among the clouds confirms my sky high feelings. I'm floating along in a surprisingly warm atmosphere. It's bright & should be cold this high up but it's a lush feeling all over. This is probably my favourite on the album. The intricate beats & the little squelchy pads under the melody on the flute really make my soul float away.

 

4. Spectral Processor

A nice soft intro builds an atmosphere sounding to me like standing by the edge of a rainbow glowing lake on an alien world. Think of the universe as an enormous computer is the sample just as the beats kick in and the mood changes to that of an approaching storm. The more sounds circle round the more I feel like the elements are rushing & the storm breaks and drenches me in sound. A sonic downpour on a shore far from home. If the universe is an enormous computer then this track is small program cleaning the drives. Very unnatural nature here.

 

5. Aes Dana - Natti Natti (Androcell Remix)

A familiar melody & lush bassline over a cascading drone build a more earth atmosphere. The regular Aes Dana beat is steady & the vocals sound like an earthy goddess calling to me. When listening to this I can't put my finger on what Androcell has done to this but it definitely has his stamp on it as well as Aes Dana's. Best of both worlds & fits nicely into the album despite the fact it's a remix. If the other tracks feel like outside in an alien summer then this is definitely the nostalgic look back at what it was like on Earth in those late summer days.

6. Efflorescence

The intro leads off with a flute like melody & some nasty middle eastern instrument played in the usual tuneless fashion. The rest of the track, the beats, the melody the sounds are all really good but I think though this would be much more enjoyable without it. I'm happy when it goes but it's in the back of my mind that it'll re:emerge & my enjoyment of the rest is lessened. It does come back & I'm put in mind of my time in the middle east which in itself was fine but wherever I went I heard this tuneless drone on this crap instrument. Take it out of this track & it would be great as it stands though it just bugs me. It finishes off the track too

 

7. Gnome Dosed

At the crossover I can hear the sound of crickets in the background. The soft chords & decrepit alien vocals sound cool along with the brief bits of melody on the flute. It all sounds pretty lovely knowing it's not going to get ruined by a mijwiz or whatever that was. All in all it's a nice track if not a standout but it's nice to be back to the strange alien world after the memory of Earthly delight followed by the nightmare of being hounded my market sellers.

8. Dub Crickets

I'm put in mind of being in a bamboo forest slowly dancing to the sound of the wind against the trees. God plays a tune with nature & he's outdone himself this time. The slow bassline, the understated melody, the wet sounds of the percussion & the ethnic vocals are a great way to round off the journey that has been unfolding over the last hour

 

This is probably one of my favourite chillout releases from 2006. It would be higher in my list but I'm afraid it's ruined a little bit by the title track. It's not even the track but just one element of it. Don't listen to me though I just really hate that instrument & that sound. The rest of the music is natural in an alien way with loads of psychedelica & melody. Some dubby elements & some really nice intricate beats. If you like your music chilled & you want something a little different but comfortingly familiar then buy this now.

[buzzman]

WOW, what a great album!

[Rotwang]

WOW, what a great album!

Indeed. I still listen to it regularly and it's still great.

[Guest deffect]

it's an album that doesn't get boring, i have listened to this album like 200 times untill now and i still like it. Favorites 1,2,3,5,8

[yerg]

This is a perfect downtempo album for you heart, mind and soul :drama: