808 State Don Solaris Vinyl

Easily the most diverse and experimental album in 808 State's eclectic catalog, DON SOLARIS seemed to fall on deaf ears at the time of its release. A pity, because repeated listenings reveal that here the band digs further into its electronic arsenal to come up with a multi-hued and varied album. "Bond," for instance, opens with angelic synth bells and trills, then morphs into a traditionally 808 State-style thumping bassline, featuring the kind of vocals first brought to prominence on the previous GORGEOUS. "Azura" is a simply beautiful piece, with whispery, floating electronics eventually giving way to a calvacade of pumping drum-and-bass rhythms and diva vocals. "Kohoutek" distills the dense arrangements that are at the center of this inventive recording. Here, strange environmental sounds clash with clattering steel pans, house-y piano rhythms, and gelatinous bass grooves, as 808 State merges exotica with contemporary electronic dance music.

• Genre: Electronic
• RSD Release Date: DDD
• Released: 7/14/2017
• Format: Vinyl