JURASSIC SHIFT

I've listened to by no means all of OZRIC TENTACLES' 30-odd albums, but I reckon 'Jurassic Shift' is the best I've heard. By 1993 the OZRIC were absorbing many of the better aspects of techno music, and there is no doubt their music depends upon a relentless beat, albeit sometimes in odd time signatures. By coincidence, 1993 was the seminal year in IDM - 'intelligent dance music' - and on this album the TENTACLES show how cleverly they've absorbed the lessons of their contemporaries while still retaining the psychedelic (read 'druggy') space-rock feel.

I find myself constantly hearing influences while listening to this album. The band members have listened to SYSTEM 7, THE ORB, ORBITAL and PLAID, to name but a few, and have on this album above all their others combined a progressive vibe (the synth loops and guitars of space-rock) with a techno rhythm section. This is done to great effect particularly on the opening track, 'Sunhair', and the title track. There are eastern influences in their work, an idea flogged from GONG, STEVE HILLAGE and a number of other sources. Yet these influences seldom extend to the rhythm section, which in the end means the group remains competent and unadventurous, though still great fun. There are some searing guitar solos here, and a variety of lovely burbling synth loops to caress your ears. The tracks are luscious and rich, a thick Persian carpet of sounds to wriggle your toes in, and all satisfy n the very first listen.

If you're going to acquire only one OZRIC TENTACLES album (and most of you will stop at one, given how similar they are), this is the one to get. But if you like it, please consider having a crack at the above-mentioned techno groups, each at least as progressive as OZRIC and by and large much more demanding.