As dub, reggae and a plume of smoke fades into and out of site, these pieces of glitched-out manipulations offer more in terms of tranquilized phases of light, pulses of sound and pictures of the now.
John LaBoone (aka Soulacybin) adheres to a chilled dynamic of instrumental dubs—filled with early Orb splinters, ambient spheres, low riding bass, guitar flicker, heavy percussion and rhythmic fluctuations in sound design. As an extended player fit for early sunrises or late night sunsets, Soulacybin dives deep into the subconscious, filling each void with blurred memories, foggy samples of higher consciousness and existential significance. As dub, reggae and a plumb of smoke fades into and out of site, these pieces of glitched-out manipulations offer more in terms of tranquilized phases of light, pulses of sound and pictures of the now.
As we literally learn through dreams—even Meat Beat Manifesto delved into this other state of being on the apt-titled Answers Come In Dreams (Metropolis/Hydrogen Dukebox, 2010). And this is really where the beauty lies on this five-track snapshot view of calm bass and beat with the ever-evolving growth of Herb Recordings. Each track cascades with a slowly moving kaleidoscope of lively instruments and focused serenity—akin to the waves of low-end that Aleph Zero have nurtured over the years. “Youthman Dub,” perhaps the most impacting of the lot, drives through reggae-infused halls of jazz, bleeps and tweaks that maneuver around and encapsulate this EP’s sonic oeuvre. Slight vocal shivers glide into focus and all is well in the land of Soulacybin. Step back and dive into the now and learn through dreams as these subdued echos of dub emissions fall into place.
Learning Through Dreams is available on Herb.
