CYCLOKOSMIA

Neo-cosmic musical tribe coming from Finland, the promising Dasputnik recently released their second effort for Art Safari Records. No much things have been said about the band but let's focuse on the music which is seriously magmatic and luminously psychedelic. This Cyclokosmia delivers real tripped out compositions in a classic rockin' vein, admitting imaginative, eccentric, standout instrumentals, extended jams dominated by highly technical and furiously heavy guitars. The opening theme is an epic-outerspace jam lead by solid guitar solos, powerful sax parts and blissed out jazzy-esque eastern inflected improvised parts. A very intense bombastic improvised session which carries on the hell-ish savage psych delirium entitled Phantom freakout. Each member develops great aptitudes for hyperactive-frantic instrumental explorations. Cosmic Train to Anticreation is probably among my favourite because of the ravishingly flowing and almost aerial sax passages. The track also contains some frenetic heavy epic sections. The last track develop more hybrid jazzy-esque vibes. Cyclokosmia is an infectious listen and blasting freakout rockin trip that can easily ravish fans of various progressive rock facets from the golden period: VDGG, Gong, Neuronium, Cybotron, Luv Machine and a few more. A highly convincing figure of the psych-spaced out rockin revival. Recommended !

Finnish band DASPUTNIK was formed back in 2006 and has been an active live and recording unit ever since. Following a CD-R demo in 2007 the band made their first official EP release, "Blatta Caverna," in 2008, and hot on the heels of that disc came their full-length debut effort "Parapsykosis" in 2009. "Cyclokosmia" is their most recent CD, and was issued in the spring of 2011.

Space rock as they made it in the first half of the 70's is what Dasputnik has to offer on its latest production, where the saxophone and guitar share the limelight as far catering for the lead motifs go. Analogue mix and production emphasize the retro-oriented approach in a delightful manner and, all in all, this CD should be a treat for most space cadets, and those with a keen interest in Hawkwind's early 70's excursions may perhaps be a key audience. This creation is well worth checking out anyhow, as long as space rock is a style that interests you. A high-quality production and one easily recommended.

Here are just quick greetings amidst the daily working on my book. I found out I haven't reviewed the second album by these Finnish space rockers from Turku. While Parapsykosis (2009) concentrated heavily on the rather fast tempo and high intensity in a HAWKWIND-like manner, leaving an impression that DaSputnik definitely would function better in a live circumstance, Cyclokosmia gracefully widens up the pallette. The jazz vibe is now more audible as the music breathes more freely and the various instruments (sax, guitar, keys) seem to have a thoughtful dialogue.

Especially the tempo and the use of guitar have matured. All four longish tracks of this album are musically very competent. All in all this is notably less psychedelic than Parapsykosis (and thank God that unnecessary robotic mumble is now left out) but still firmly within the Space Rock genre. And when the saxophone - mostly soprano - offers some Ethnic/ Oriental nuances here and there, it could be said that DaSputnik is an extra terrestrial cousin of PIIRPAUKE.

Hopefully the band is someday going to release their third album; at least they are still active and throw some gigs.