First appearing on the “Xen Cuts” collection way back when, Liverpool duo Loka then teased at what lay ahead with the superb single “Beginningless”, before finally serving up their full length feature for Ninja Tune in “Fire Shepherds”. Like many other Ninja Tune artists, it a sound that carves out it’s own place in time, seemingly immune to the vagaries of a passing trend or three. “Meet Dad” is devilishly good library-style funk, whipping up a storm with raucous keys and boom-bap drums, all struggling to keep the rampant bassline in place. “Airfling” swirls in wreathes of ambience, aiming for mystery and intrigue, only losing it’s way now and again. “Freda Mae” is a sprawling multi-stranded epic, making your ears feel like they’re being pull in a thousand directions at once. “Tabernacle” appears in two parts – both dark musings of 70’s cinema without the visuals. Likenings to David Lynch and Sun Ra are begging to be made, however, this is far more fun than that would suggest – not perfect, but honest and adventurous music that will last. Buy the album and cherish it dearly.
5 Out Of 5
Reviewed By: DARREN WALL
