LOTUS UNFOLDING

I am a long-time Ozrics fan. First time I heard them was on a CD of their Arboresence release. I was in a brick and mortar store and bought it as a used disc after sampling it via the store's headphone listening station. One problem -- I didn't own a CD player. I went right out later that week and bought a Sony 5-disc player. That's history. So what about Lotus Unfolding?

Seeing as I own everything the Ozrics released and all the boxed sets -- and having recently reviewed Space for Earth -- I can confidently say this release does not disappoint. The label sent the typical online e-press kit page and mp3 files to download. I of course then ordered the CD, which is yet to arrive from the UK.

"Storm in a Teacup" really get things blasting off nicely and is tight. "Deep Blue Shade" has an excellent synth intro with Ed layering on nice guitar full of delay and punch. Typical rocking, trippy Ozrics, speed, funk reggae ska bliss here. Gawd the synths are so nice. Makes me want to go noodle on my own synth rack.

"Lotus Unfolding" starts out very new-agey with flute to guide you and synth bubbling on the edge of hearing. Then the drums and bass kick in and you are slowly pulled in. It takes 5 minutes and 21 seconds before Ed explodes into his signature blazingly warped and distorted Steve Hillage inspired riffs. And from that crescendo, it all goes back into a long outro into simplicity of sound.

"Crumplepenny" is spacey groovefest with Ed riffing on acoustic guitar. At nearly 3 minutes in -- he blasts off into electric guitar hero blissdom and the groove really picks up before he returns to a mean acoustic solo. Very, very Ozrics gold here...

"Green Incantation" features more acoustic guitar early on with bubbling synths and even paced drums. 4.5 minutes in, Ed starts an electric guitar power chord passage to move things along and then the synths take off again with a heavy bass line. At around 6 minute mark Ed goes crazy on electric guitar in his signature style of swirling effects laden majesty. Then things fade out soon.

"Burundi Spaceport" -- the final track features either electric guitar processed to sound acoustic or vice versa. I like that a great deal. Lots of delay, reverb and echo is happening here. Bass, synths and drums are really groovin' and movin' things along. This song reminds more of a jam session that is quite unstructured song-wise but remains tight until it finishes. But aren't so many Ozric songs such engaging sonic journeys and a meander? Nonetheless, any Ozric fan will enjoy Lotus Unfolding.

High recommendations.