With his second album "Efflorescence", musician and artist Tyler Smith aka Quasga presents eight standout tracks which navigate a psychedelic night-time landscape anchored in dub and integrate organic and electronic sounds. Warm melodies are diversified against a framework of intricate rhythms and arching harmonies. Unique spoken samples are incorporated seamlessly and used with clear intent. Interstitial atmospheric sounds provide for a continuous listening experience. The tracks are varied enough in tempo and mood to make the album playable in any chillout room.

"Process of Unfolding" gently opens the album like a blooming bud, followed by the introspective "Neurosomatic Circuit". "Atmos-spheres" floats with a perfect balance of elements as embodied in the sounds of flutes and bells over a dynamic bass line. "Spectral Processor" explores contrasts, with much of the melody carried by the bass. Next is a sublime and inspired remix of Aes Dana's "Natti Natti" with the addition of a caressing bass pulse and soothing vocals. Next, the title track invites us to move to its gentle groove. "Gnome Dosed" is an aural adventure with melodic exploration reminiscent of classic downtempo Goa. Finally, in "Dub Crickets", the chirping chorus that has heretofore been the ambient bridge between tracks is brought center stage in a relaxing dub jam, bringing to mind lazy summer nights.

Accompanying each track is a piece of exquisite psychedelic art for visual exploration in concert with each song, presented as an 8 page booklet.

Androcell - Efflorescence

Label: Celestial Dragon Records
Catalog#: CDREC-03
Format: CD, Album, Digipak
Country: Hong Kong
Released: Feb 2006
Genre: Electronic
Style: Dub, Downtempo
Credits: Artwork By [Artwork, Design, Layout, Booklet] - Quasga
Mastered By [Digital Mastering By] - Simon Polinski
Producer, Written-By, Engineer, Mixed By - Tyler "Quasga" Smith* (tracks: 1 to 4, 6 to 8)
Notes: All tracks written, produced, engineered and mixed @ Androcell Studio, North America
Mastered @ Laundry Goat Studio, Melbourne, Australia
(c) 2006 Sonic Dragon Recordings Group Ltd.
Artwork (c) Tyler C. Smith

Total Duration (62:35)
UPC#: 9 366977 745001

Release contains 8 page booklet with artwork corresponding to each track.

Tracklisting:
1 Androcell Process Of Unfolding (9:10)
2 Androcell Neurosomatic Circuit (7:39)
3 Androcell Atmos-Spheres (7:58)
Whistle [Low Whistle], Recorded By [Low Whistle Recorded By] - Philip Khripkov
4 Androcell Spectral Processor (7:37)
5 Aes Dana Natti Natti (Androcell Remix) (6:54)
Producer, Written-By - Vincent VIlluis
Remix - Androcell
Remix [Credited To], Producer [Additional Production] - Tyler Smith (2)
Vocals - Shenyah Webb
6 Androcell Efflorescence (8:51)
7 Androcell Gnome Dosed (7:21)
8 Androcell Dub Crickets (7:02)


User Reviews:

SkeletonMan, Aug 20, 2006
According to the digipack efflorescence means a. a gradual process of unfolding or developing, or b. the highest point; the culmination. Quite a bold title for an album! So, is Androcell able to live up to his title.

In a word, yes! While downbeat releases can have a hard time grabbing my attention for longer periods of time, Efflorescence somehow succeeds maintaining my interest. It quite simply flows right from track one and once on Tyler "Quasga" Smith's ride you wanna hear this album through to the end. With its' occasional dub inspiration I'm not quite sure what albums to compare it with, but think Ultimae possibly a little more upbeat. Highly recommended for downtempo lovers and quite possibly a contestant for downtempo album of the year.