Intriguing rhythms and musical patterns are always guaranteed from The Heliocentrics, whether of their own accord or in the successful collaborations they have enjoyed with artists like Mulatu Astatke and Melvin Van Peebles. Here they present a selection recorded at their old studios, Quartermass – and it is a largely instrumental output. The raspy sax and lively piano of ‘Telekinesis’ shows them off at their more energetic, while off centre cuts like ‘Discovery’ and ‘Phenomenon Of Man’ are a bit mysterious and more edgy. ‘The Five Thing’ could almost be from a hip hop detective soundtrack, with lovely bits of vibraphone and piano over the big, bassy rhythm. The chemistry between the group means there is a feeling of instinctive improvisation running through the collection, every loop and rhythmic nugget fresh off the page – with rhythms that vary from outright funk to more laid back hip hop. It makes for another invigorating addition to the already packed Heliocentrics discography.
4 out of 5
Reviewed by Ben Hogwood