GALAXSEA

There's no mistaking ... LUNAR DUNES is a collective of experienced musicians, featuring bassist Ian Blackaby, guitarist Adam Blake (Cornershop) and drummer Hamilton Lee of world/fusion band Transglobal Underground as the core. It took four years to offer something new - 'Galaxsea' is their second effort, my first attempt though, released on UK based 4 Zero Records label.

This CD starts innocent somehow, on Moon Bathing they say hello by providing some regular downbeat/lounge/nujazz impressions first, decorated with Krupa's charming voice. Usually I would assign this to a Cafe Del Mar compilation. Eh ... not bad at all, but not what I expected exactly. Well. that's all for now? By no means ... step by step they throw weird electronica gimmicks in, Adam Blake's psychedelic guitar appears expressive more and more ... and sooner or later it will be clear, that you're listening to a rather experimental blend of music styles, come what may.

Most of the songs are taking around five minutes, each possesses an unique atmosphere, for example a restrained dub groove featuring spacey guitar and synthesizer adds, oriental touches, an hallucinatory flow as implemented on Svalbard or just take the hypnotic krautrock feel given on Free To Do - absolutely flawless all over. Oh, I should not forget to mention both Pharaoh's Dream and Ayaz - especially the excellent drive due to Blackaby's funky bass and Lee's lively drum playing. And please don't miss to watch out for Larry Whelan's playful and emotive keyboard and electronic contributions.

Bravo, overall the nine songs combine a cool jamming attitude and entertaining variety at once. The positive vibe invites to relax. On the other hand you won't miss a bunch of challenging moments. Krupa's voice is experimentally distorted here and meandering out of this world there, similar to Anisa Romero of Sky Cries Mary. LUNAR DUNES are mixing mellow space rock with some groovy triphop appeal, to sum it up. No weakening in between - promised! 'Galaxsea' is a surprising discovery while presenting an impressing song collection according to my taste.