Review by Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck
3 stars out of 4
There is a shroud of mystery surrounding Ozric Tentacles' "Swirly
Termination" album. From the research I conducted I found that the
group considered this as an incomplete recording and an obligatory
release to satisfy their commitment to the label. Another oddity was
that it was listed in the massive AMG database without a review. The
group does not list the CD on their site either. Its too bad they
aren't recognizing this fine achievement of instrumental progressive
space rock. There are also no credits listed on the CD inner sleeve.
I found a listing of past and present group members on the group's
site, so I am assuming it was the present members that performed on
this year 2000 release. Well, I hope this is the lineup that played
on this album. I am sure someone will let me know if its incorrect.
I had no way of finding out through the usual methods.
Regardless of the inconsistencies and incompleteness of this release
in other areas besides the music itself, I found it to be a fantastic
listening experience that left me wanting to hear more of the same.
Ed Wynne plays key role with his authoritarian guitar playing pushing
Seaweed (keyboards), John Egan (flute), Zee Geelani (bass), and RAD
(drums) into instrumental warp drive. Some Middle Eastern influences
are detected from time to time along with whirling dervish keyboard
playing and fat power chords that make this group a difficult one
to classify. They border on techno at times then jump right back
to the prog sound very quickly. That's what keeps everything interesting
while listening to Ozric Tentacles. I look forward to hearing more.
1. Steep (Ozric Tentacles) - 3:12
2. Space Out (Ozric Tentacles) - 8:28
3. Pyoing (Ozric Tentacles) - 4:29
4. Far Dreaming (Ozric Tentacles) - 5:24
5. Waldorfdub (Ozric Tentacles) - 6:13
6. Kick 98 (Ozric Tentacles) - 6:03
7. Voy Mandala (Ozric Tentacles) - 11:52
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