Ghost Bubbles is a wise purchase for fans of DMX Krew, acid basslines, video games, and raw, minimal electro. Not to mention there’s a fine deal of charming synth funk. The listen is very danceable and cohesive, in addition to fitting with Terrestrial Funk’s dynamic mission of funk visions. An essential and fun album, and be sure check more of this label as well.
Juicy textured electro and spacey sensibilities
Edward Upton (Breakin Records, Fresh Up) is one of the most prolific and inspirational minds in electronic production, label curation, and sound engineering during his career spanning more than 25 years. He continues his legacy as DMX Krew with his latest, Ghost Bubbles 2LP, an album loaded with his signature electro-funk quality.
The host of this double vinyl, Terrestrial Funk, is a highly recommended record shop and label with a mission of releasing funky dance music of all flavors and synths from coast to coast. Their fourth release; Ghost Bubbles offers a dynamic variety for the listener that loves juicy textured electro containing funk, pop, and spacey sensibilities. The sound within should also appeal to admirers of his work on Breakin, Abstract Forms, CPU, and Fundamental and contains 13 compositions of charismatic vision—a world where analog synths and drum machines are on full display, setting a warm space themed tone and frequency for the listening experience.
A reflection on this imaginative listening session ::
“Diagnostic” — The adventure begins with the punchy kickdrum hits and blue cosmic funk of “Diagnostic.” The track grooves in style with relaxing chords and a strong bassline dipped in acid. The atmosphere is charming with a sharp boogie funk in its taste and effects that take it outer space. This one can certainly get the party going in a place.
“Ghost Bubble” — The title track is electro with a clever synthesizer bass, mystic chords, and bleepy tones emitting signals like a beautifully lit up control board. The bassline is so confident in stride with the clap layered snares of the rhythm while the pads are true class.
“Deluge” — Smooth with warm sunset moods is the feeling in “Deluge.” Kicks and deep snares of the 808 kind pace with a slower stride in the engaging rhythm they provide. Scenic summer chords intertwine with the track’s jagged acid bassline, while silicone dipped effects and wooly leads bring forward some good times as the electro-funk reaches your receptors and binds. Indeed catchy.
“Shiny” — Cyber nobility flows from the drums and melodramatic synths of “Shiny.” This track’s raw and retro arcade fantasy atmosphere has a final boss type of vibe and is very energetic in the way its pixelated beat drives while the heroic charm of the melody thrives. Electro from the future, with royal synths.
“Water Ski” — Opening side B with 808 laced electro and nice rimshot delays underneath auras of moody synth haze, “Water Ski” emits a bassline that drives for days as it really steals the show playing out in assertive arpeggio while introspective hums harmonize with precipitating effects.
“Headmounted Display” — This track takes a trip into space with sci-fi moods and corky synth bass; it’s on the great side of weird, delivering with a catchy and faster pace. The rhythm is constructed with distinct robotic drums that also bring a lot of fun. True flying car music is the term that comes to mind—or a true nerd hero theme leaving the norm behind.
“Vacuum Flowers” — This piece carries such a smooth charm in its world of blooming effects and hypnotic pads. Strings of elegance add to the melody while the 808 electro has a charming and seductive tempo accented with claves for the dancefloor bots. It’s ear candy as well when textured chords connect and add additional harmony in spots.
“Juno Deep” — Energy levels rise next with this straight up Breakin style battle theme. You’ll hear nostalgic phantom stabs and a wormy bassline from another galaxy while the pads accented in choir hum roll over a relentless rhythm of echoing electro drums. It’s a scene from a graffiti tagged hyperspace and has a mission to move bodies with no time to waste.
“Seems Reasonable” — A shorter track that works well with the cohesion factor in this pack. A smirk may come to you while serenaded by spooky synths—their texture plays out like a ghost rising out of the machines thanks to the frequency haze. The rhythm is a simple date with the 808, yet layered with cool effects that gives it a liquid texture.
“Suboptimal” — This track is brimming with 80s sensibilities in its melody yet futuristic in how cool video game flavored synths and peaking strings of suspense interlace in a world of pixelated harmony. Its punchy kick drums are sharp and layered with snares and robotic laser zaps—perhaps to let the UFO’s know where the funk abductees are residing.
“Time Diffraction Effect” — An epic booty shaking science is next with the electro-bass of “Time Diffraction Effect.” This track goes for the kill as a nasty bassline promptly arrives with a perfectly formulated solution and a faster tempo that drops in and out. Free floating synths add darker harmony hues with bell accents while wave effects add dashing textures of light to the sensory connects. It seems like this charming sonic interference is mentally constructive and dancefloor destructive.
“Lagrange Point” — Taking the orbit into mellow celestial mechanics, “Lagrange Point” maintains a fine equilibrium of melody between big bodied basslines and melodramatic synth highs. Holding its relative position well is the driving kick and snare rhythm—for a moment in electro time and space and produced with clever human taste.
“Mentosse” — The adventure found in the Ghost Bubbles comes to a close with “Mentosse.” It’s a charmer. Striding breaks and electro in perfect tempo while classical flavored synth strings, warm chord progressions, and permeations of acid take over the auditory ventricles. It’s emotional in mood and a classic way for the album to conclude.
Concluding reflection ::
Overall, Ghost Bubbles is a wise purchase for fans of DMX Krew, acid basslines, video games, and raw, minimal electro. Not to mention there’s a fine deal of charming synth funk. The listen is very danceable and cohesive, in addition to fitting with Terrestrial Funk’s dynamic mission of funk visions. An essential and fun album, and be sure check more of this label as well.
Ghost Bubbles is available on Terrestrial FunkOctober 31, 2020. [Bandcamp]
