By Jim Rowland
One of the most influential bands to emerge from the ÜK’s festival scene, Ozric Tentacles celebrate the 40th anniversary of the band this year, having formed during the solstice at Stonehenge Free Festival in 1983. And there’s no better way to celebrate than releasing a brand new album, ‘Lotus Unfolding’, that shows the band are still very much firing on all cylinders..
Album opener ‘Storm In A Teacup’ is indeed a storming way to kick off the album, a sumptuous slice of explosive, spacey, jazz rock illustrating the highly skilled musicianship involved here, led by the guitar wizardry of founding member Ed Wynne. Equally as great is the current single ‘Deep Blue Shade’, which heads firmly towards the more electronic, dance element of the Ozrics sonic palette.
The album’s title track is an altogether more laid back, mystical and ambient piece, once again with a jazzy element to it, whilst the brilliantly named ‘Crumplepenny’ is another up tempo spacey jazz rock workout, melding more electronics with the guitar virtuosity and ambient interludes. ‘Green Incantation’ is a highlight, managing to combine the laid back feel of the title track with the heavier jazz rock vibe of the album’s opener as the track progresses, with ‘Burundi Spaceport’, another cracking title, signing off with the album’s most crazy, off the wall moment.
‘Lotus Unfolding’s six mostly lengthy tracks all add up to one highly pleasurable and diverse cosmic trip of sumptuous sounds.
The album is available on CD digipak, limited marble LP with limited die cut sleeve, blue LP also with limited die cut sleeve, black LP and also available digitally.
- Ozric Tentacles tour with Gong later this month and into December:
- The two bands also head out together in March:
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