INSIDE THE SPECTRUM

Randomly diving into the NYC based experimental electronic music of PAS MUSIQUE lands me on their second album under that moniker INSIDE THE SPECTRUM. This collaborative effort of Robert L. Pepper, Amber Brien, Jon Worthley and Michael Durek has also gone under P.H.A.S.T.I. as a collaborative effort with the Polish artist Hati. These guys continue their journey into unique multi-faceted sound collages that meld exotic beats with progressive electronic swirlies and sound samples from the past after the debut "Abandoned Bird Egg."

This act got its break when the title track from this release was featured on "The Wire Trapper" compilation (volume 34) in Wire Magazine and features nine additional tracks that never let up in the spaciness and intensity. Although this is primarily if not entirely electronically based, INSIDE THE SPECTRUM exudes a tribal feel with its diverse roster of drumming techniques that sound more suited for a drum gathering in a remote rainforest rather than in a geeky studio setting. The mix of the varied percussion and the psychedelic swirling of the synth sounds is a true recipe for intoxication.

The album is quite diverse and features sounds that range from bagpipes to distant vocal calls and female angelic touches. There are moments that could be processed guitars but the beauty of this set of stellar comps is that it all sounds very mysterious with little or no secrets being revealed. The themes are inspired by space and philosophy with short philosophical quotes and an overall feel of drifting through space and encountering alien rhythmic occurrences in a seemingly random fashion. Despite all the alienation on board the album comes off as somewhat organic as it connects to Earthly familiarities as well as going for the experimental jugular.

Electronic music is so varied and easy to make that it's really hard to find outsider music that is so creative and talented that not only takes you on a space cadet journey but also connects to your emotional sensibilities as well. PAS MUSIQUE has mastered this dueling nature of the human condition and exhibits all of it in fine form on INSIDE THE SPECTRUM. This is a fascinating musical journey that keeps me enthralled from the beginning title track to the freakier than most ending track "Transference." Definitely a musical entity that i have every intention of checking out further.