Ozric Tentacles - Spirals In Hyperspace (2005)

It's hard to put your finger on Ozric Tentacles, and just when you think that you have them figured out, they defy your expectations by evolving, chameleon-like, into something else entirely. Formed by multi-instrumentalist Ed Wynne back in the dark ages (1983), the Ozrics originally sold a blend of jazz-rock fusion similar to Mahavishnu, mixed with flighty space-rock a la Hawkwind. By the end of the decade the band had become the sole province of the British "crusty" movement. A sort of cross between '60s vintage hippie culture and '80s-era New Age thought, crustys roamed across the English countryside from one outdoor festival or rave to another–kind of like a cosmic Anglo Grateful Dead caravan. During the mid-90s, the Ozrics even flirted with U.S. audiences. A 1994 tour and two major label releases failed to break the band stateside, although they did attract a loyal cult following, including many fans of the jam band phenomenon.

Through the years, the band has dabbled in a number of genre-hopping exercises, from prog-rock and Eno-inspired ambiance to trance and electronica. No matter the path they've chosen, every Ozrics album was certain to feature Wynne's edgy guitarwork and imaginative songwriting, and Spirals In Hyperspace is no exception. The latest effort from the Ozric mastermind is basically a studio creation, falling heavily into an electronic vein, with a few friends and former bandmates dropping by to lend a hand here and there. Wynne handles guitars, keyboards and synth programming on most of the tracks, painting a dense, multi-layered portrait of sound and emotion. The sound here runs the gamut from the manic oscillating vibe of "Chewier," which includes Ozrics drummer Schoo and Brandi Wynne on glide bass, to the aggressive "Akasha," which features guitarist Steve Hillage floating adrift amidst a chimera of shimmering instruments.

Each of the nine songs on Spirals In Hyperspace has been carefully crafted, mixing organic instrumentation and technological flourishes in the creation of unique musical experience. Not one of the songs clocks in at less than five minutes, and the average length is closer to the eight-minute mark. The results can be breathtaking and, at times, hypnotic, luring the listener inside and setting them up for an unexpected change in direction. "Plasmoid," for instance, is supported by a funky, Stax-sounding six-string groove and chirping electronic rhythms, Wynne's wicked guitar lead threaded throughout the song. "Plasmoid" tumbles into "Oakum," however, an extended space music jam that incorporates ambient electronics, stabs of muted keyboards, aboriginal rhythms and a soaring guitar line that flies all over the damn place. You never know what to expect until it hits you upside the head....

While not the most engaging album in the Ozric Tentacles' canon–my personal favorites remain Strangeitude and Arborescence–Spirals In Hyperspace is nevertheless an invigorating collection of songs. Appealing to fans of just about any sort of progressive instrumental rock or electronic experimentation, Spirals In Hyperspace might be the closest that you can get to travelling in outer space without leaving the comfort of your own home. (Magna Carta Records)

(Click on the CD cover to buy Spirals In Hyperspace from Amazon.com)