LTJ Bukem
Earth 2
fictions
cosmic interlude
artificial life
j-walkin'
silver dawn
flashback
adrift on deep water
senses
mindgames
Good Looking Records 1997
In the ongoing series known as Earth, LTJ Bukem emerges in this compilation doing what he is best at: weaving emotions and sounds into a tapestry that is thoughtful, spiritual and deep enough to wrap yourself into like a thick warm blanket on a cold stormy night.
First and foremost, this CD is not for everyone. Normally i like choosing stuff that's accessible to people looking to expand their horizons but unless you already dig jungle, or are ready to explore LTJ Bukem's style of jungle, you should give this CD a test drive before plopping your money on the counter.
From the first minute of this CD, you know you've stepped into something deep. The opening track, Fictions by Rollercone, a baritone sax chants a loop as an organ lays down the harmony. The bass kicks in and you're off...
It's hard to put into words what i think and feel about this CD. It's not uplifting in the sense that it's bright or filled with the type of sensuality that say... Hinterland or Synaesthetic have, but it IS uplifting in the way tracks like fictions, silver down, flashback and the closing piece, mindgames, have. In so many ways, discussing music in words is like trying to describe colors to someone who's blind.
If i had my choice of listening to this CD, it'd be in my dream car, the Volkswagon Golf GTI with a stickshift, a sunroof, and plowing through the damp roads that a storm has left behind as i drive west to watch the setting sun. [The brunette cutie with the short dress flopping in the breeze on the passenger side is preferable, but not mandatory. =) ] Okay... that sound cliche', i know but it's also true. It's just that this is the type of music you can ponder the world with, but it's best if you have a world to stare at to do so.
Earth 2 is a beautiful voyage for those ready to take it. In the way that downbeat jungle goes, it's pretty safe to say that LTJ Bukem and the entire Good Looking Organization are the best there are at what they do. Having said that though, i have to confess that i have a Love/Hate/Love thing for Mr. Bukem. He is so phenomenally good at what he does. He blends jungle, downbeat, dub, blues and jazz into a tapestry that has much to offer. He is not concerned about following genre's... he is a genre. Unfortunately he can be a bit Formulaic. He doesn't fall into the same cliché's that you might expect someone to, but there's a certain sound to his productions that are unmistakably LTJ Bukem and no one else's. Ocassionally i think to myself, "Okay. Enough is enough. Find some new downtempo jungle."
That means it's just a matter of time before i go score the latest offering from LTJ Bukem and/ or the Good Looking Organization [assuming i'm not buying more Blue Note offerings]