Q-Burns Abstract Message – Oeuvre

Q-Burns Abstract Message has always been a little off-kilter; OEUVRE collects tracks from various 12", allowing Donaldson to indulge his inner eclecticism. The tracks wander all over the place, never content with one mood or groove. "Enter/Other" shifts gears several times, while "Touchin' on Something" gets into some noir house breaks. There's a little taste of electro-funk with "Bugeyed Sunglasses," and the funk is even more apparent on "Puff the Magic." But it's the delicate tones that start "Pools in Eyes" that stand out the most, though the deep throbs in "Flava Lamp" leave an impression as well. The long "Toast" also kicks off with a softer touch, a guitar strum and some warm synths that maintain the chilled feeling throughout. A mixed bag, to be sure, but still worthwhile.

I picked this up at Portland CD expo last year, mostly because is was on Astralwerks. Something about QBAM just doesn't quite klick. It's not terrible music, it just doesn't make much of a mark