Review: Øresund Space Collective ‘Orgone Unicorn’
Emerging from the connection between Denmark and Sweden forged by the iconic Øresund Bridge, the Danish experimental music collective known as Øresund Space Collective have been captivating audiences with their unique brand of kraut space rock since their inception in 2004. Led by the visionary manager and astral synth player Scott Heller, also known as Dr. Space, this adventurous ensemble has embarked on an interplanetary musical journey, harnessing the infinite power of sound to transmit their fervent cosmic vibrations.
Drawing from a diverse pool of talented musicians, each member brings their own distinctive style and flair, cultivated through endless earthly jam sessions, coalescing into Øresund Space Collective (or OSC for short) multilayered, kaleidoscopic sonic tapestry. Scrolling through their prolific discography, which boasts an astounding thirty-two studio albums, eighteen live recordings (including a collaboration with the late, legendary Damo Suzuki), as well as numerous compilations and collaborations, one is immediately submerged in a world of galloping, overwhelming space rock that pays homage to the pioneering sounds of Hawkwind and Ozric Tentacles.
With an insatiable appetite for exploration, they seamlessly blend the realms of the inner and outer, crafting a transcendent experience that transports the listener to the farthest reaches of the cosmos, leaving only the boundless expanse of pure, unadulterated sonic wonder. As a whole, the band defies easy categorisation, blending a diverse array of musical influences and styles into their captivating sound Their approach is one of spontaneous, collaborative improvisation that seamlessly weaves together elements of krautrock, ethnic music, experimental jazz, ambient textures, psychedelic prog rock and countless other sonic facets.
This multifaceted, cross-pollinated approach gives the band’s music a truly distinctive character. Listening to their output, one is struck by the effortless fluidity and organic cohesion of these disparate musical threads as they coalesce into a hypnotic, immersive whole. At the heart of this collective is the ‘spiritual guru’ figure of Dr. Space, based in Portugal, he not only steers the expansive, cosmic vision of OSC, but has also cultivated a rich discography of chill-out, improvised space rock, both as a solo recording artist and a musician who welcomes collaborative work with other musicians/bands.
His latest collaboration, contributing to the album Enter Your Soma by New Zealand multi-instrumentalist Craig Williamson (aka Lantern Of The Universe), further exemplifies Dr. Space‘s ability to seamlessly blend his transcendent, extraterrestrial sound with that of kindred musical spirits, resulting in a mesmerising union of styles that leaves the listener feeling thoroughly enveloped and at peace.
This eclectic space rock music collective has a reputation for crafting albums that push the boundaries of traditional listening experiences, and their latest release, Orgone Unicorn, is no exception. Clocking in at over two hours, this expansive and immersive sonic journey transports the listener to a starry night, enveloping them in a mesmerizing web of sound. The group, known for rarely releasing albums under the sixty-minute mark, has truly outdone themselves this time, creating an opus that demands the full attention and focus of the audience.
Featuring the same virtuosic musicians who collaborated on the critically acclaimed Every One’s Evil in 2023, Orgone Unicorn is a testament to the collective’s musical prowess and adventurous spirit. Bassists Hasse Horrigmoe, known for his work with the ethnically inspired Norwegians Tangled Edge, lays down a robust and rhythmic foundation, while Luis Simões of Portugal’s Saturnia contributes his versatile guitar work, gong, and noise box textures. The iconic Jonathan Segel of Camper van Beethoven also makes an appearance, adding his distinct guitar stylings to the mix, and the return of former Siena Root sitarist KG Westman further enhances the album’s eclectic and transcendent soundscape.
a sonic masterpiece that rewards repeated listens and invites the listener to delve ever deeper into its rich, multifaceted cosmic world…
Together, these seasoned musicians have crafted an immersive and boundary-pushing listening experience that challenges the very notion of what an album can be. Orgone Unicorn is a sonic odyssey that invites the listener to surrender to its expansive, dreamlike quality, losing themselves in the intricate layers of instrumentation and the hypnotic interplay of the ensemble. This latest offering from the collective firmly cements their reputation as innovators in the realm of experimental and progressive music.
Delving into the landscape of this double album, we discover a richly layered and meticulously crafted sonic tapestry. The seven tracks that comprise this expansive release showcase the artists’ masterful command of sound design, as they skilfully weave together an intricate web of textures and timbres. From the opening pulsating astral beat of jazzy exploration delivered with Skin Walker, we are immersed in a world of sonic research exploration, where the boundaries between organic and synthetic elements blur, creating a captivating sense of sonic alchemy.
Eno’s Donut takes the listener on a spellbinding journey through the boundless reaches of the cosmos, immersing them in an otherworldly sonic experience that evokes a profound sense of tranquillity and wonder. The title track, Orgone Unicorn, is a mesmerising exploration of celestial sounds with layers of ethereal textures and ambient pads that seem to float weightlessly, transporting the mind into the dark, mysterious galaxies in the outer universe. The delicate, sitar-like melodies that permeate the track lend an air of Eastern mysticism, evoking a meditative state and a calming of the senses.
On Kraut Toe Trip they penetrate into more uncharted audio territories, crafting an excursionist soundscape that immerses the listener in the depths of the ocean, with undulating waves of synthesised tones and textures of reverberating soundwaves. The track takes the listener on a mesmerising journey, with moments of calm serenity giving way to more turbulent, undulating passages that capture the primal, untamed nature of the deep sea.
The album also features moments of captivating rhythmic exploration, as Omnia Magnifico, a track which blends penetrating funky raga rhythms with kraut soundscapes that interplay between the driving, hypnotic percussion and the swirling, atmospheric textures creating a dynamic transcendent musical bliss. The album’s shortest track, Red Panda In Rhodes, is a tantalizing near four minutes of pure hypnotic astral pleasantness with a mesmerizing combination of synthesized tones, subtle rhythmic elements, and a brief spoken-word passage that cements its otherworldly, meditative quality.
Øresund Space Collective are a truly remarkable musical ensemble, standing out from the crowd with their unparalleled dedication to the art of improvisation. This collective of musicians boldly embrace it, revelling in the thrill of creating music in the moment without a strict plan or structure to confine them. Their latest musical journey stands as a testament to the collective’s mastery of sound, a sonic masterpiece that rewards repeated listens and invites the listener to delve ever deeper into its rich, multifaceted cosmic world.
Label: Lasers Edge
Band Links: Official | Facebook | Bandcamp | Spotify | Instagram
Scribed by: Domenico ‘Mimmo’ Caccamo
