(03.08.06) Sending Orbs’ third full-length release is the stunning Elaztiq Bourbon 5 by Funckarma, and though this is not new material, this album compiles for the first time on CD tracks from three back-catalogue Funckarma titles: Elaztiq originally released on Neo Ouija from 2002; Bourbon Sounds on Delikatessen, also from 2002; and Part 5 on Dub from 2003. Presumably due to the lack of space available on the CD format the title track from “Elaztiq” has been omitted from the compilation, which clocks in at hefty 77 minutes. As a bonus, however, the tracks have been lovingly remastered, the result being a blinding suite of futuristic, mirror-polished transmissions of super-premium quality.
Of all the material here it is arguably the tracks from Bourbon Sounds that exhibit the greatest individuality, are the most recognizably Funckarma and represent some of the most accomplished of the works here. Featuring a masterly manipulation of layers and shifting focus, each of these pieces begins with showers of apparently jumbled, sizzling, crackling fx and rhythms that slowly resolve into recognizable patterns before delicate, atmospheric and often rather melancholy melodic pads drift into the foreground. The result is a suite of pieces that could almost be termed ambient, since no heavy beats ever totally assert themselves.
Significantly simpler in structure to other Bourbon Sounds tracks, “Sphere” balances all the aspects of the Funckarma sound to perfection. Random analogue squelches bubble through an addictive modulated bass line, reverse strings and, latterly, exquisitely lush and hazy late-night melodic pads forming one of the finest pieces the duo have ever crafted. “Sparkzz,” on the other hand, rolls over the listener in wave upon wave of scuffed, scraped and bewilderingly complex soft percussion, a rolling bass line with constantly shifting tempo, and ethereal repeating soft buzzes that form yet another infectious and engaging melody. This is truly hypnotizing territory, and extremely hard to shake off – one listen is never enough.
The pieces from Part 5 feature a sound-palette that is frequently reminiscent of Arovane – glacial chimes and metallic percussion, but come with an extended running time that doesn’t always work in their favor. At eight and a half minutes, “Loaded” feels too long, for example, given its apparent lack of progression. “Lignite” on the other hand is another atmospheric triumph. Like the best tracks from The Connection Machine’s Painless album, this track presents yet more polished, neon-clad future-scapes warmed by deep-blue evening skies that sweep airily from the speakers on a warm breeze of piped melodies, stuttering time-signatures and a jazzy bass line.
The Neo Ouija material is arguably the least effective, as it drops atmosphere in favor of bristling energy and varied rhythmic structure at the expense of a certain amount of involvement and depth. “Brik” is the best of the included tracks, it’s synths fizzing and sparkling amongst wonderfully jumbled clicks, burbles, percussion and jump-cutting synth stabs. And yet “Dredge” feels unremarkable, whilst “Bump” closes the album in dreary, maudlin fashion: a thin wraithlike and rather unpleasant non-entity who’s potential to stain the album with an undesirable and undeserved lackluster overall impression is thankfully overwhelmed by the sheer weight of excellent material that precedes it. It might perhaps have been better to omit this piece, swapping in “Elaztiq” instead.
Full marks to the Sending Orbs label for releasing this excellent compilation (again clothed in Jeroen Advocaat’s thoughtful and perfectly tailored artwork), and to Funckarma who, thanks to the remastering and tweaking of the tracks, have served up their stunning compositions in a form that represents a significant upgrade to the vinyl releases.
Elaztiq Bourbon 5 is out now on Sending Orbs.
