Omni Trio - The Haunted Science

I was loaned a copy of this by a friend of my sister just after its release, but was told I 'probably wouldn't like it, because it's not dancefloor devastation business'. Being only about 15 at the time I suppose I can forgive the guy in question for his assumption that I was like any other young teenager, i.e. devoid of any musical taste. He was wrong though. I'd long been a massive fan of LTJ Bukem's Good Looking label and its affiliates, so this more relaxed form of drum & bass was familiar to me. This album is a bit different though.

It isn't the same as the GLO stuff. There's something different about it. The whole album has a very ethereal, haunting presence that draws you right in and keeps you interested, such is the variety of the tracks on offer here. It all kicks off very sturdily with 'Astral Phase', snappy drums and jazzy notes, then retains this flavour for the next 2 tracks, then drops right down to maximum chill mode in 'Haunted Kind' (which is a truly beautiful piece of music), then back up to strength in the fifth and onwards and upwards to the final piece, the original mix of 'Who are you?', which rounds the whole experience off tightly.

Favourite track? Probably the Aquasky remix of 'Who are you?', which is a staggeringly breathtaking slice of drum & bass and just leaves the listener begging for more.

To put it simply, this is a must have album. Just give it a listen and tell me I'm wrong!

Maybe my favorite Omni Trio album, but since the man has been so damn consistent throughout his career, statements like this mean shit. I got a lot of respect for this one though, maybe because it's such a step forward compared to 'The Deepest Cut'. The good things about it: very technoish, celestial melodies and shifting drum patterns, most notably on 'Astral Phase' and 'Rhythm Method'. The latter is also my favorite track on the album - haunted yet blissful synths over driving yet mellow breakbeats. Next up is 'Haunted Kind', a downtempo track with all the Omnitastic sounds you could ask for. I'm listening to it while I'm writing this so I could go on saying how good this track is, and then the next, but I won't. Just get it while it's still affordable. You won't regret it.