Review: Tropical Sludge ‘Astral Mind’

‘I started recording solo stuff around 2020 when I was given a laptop with Ableton (Audio recording software). This was also around the time of Covid, so I had plenty of time to muck around and jam out ideas. It was just experimenting with different sounds and learning how to mix/edit and use this particular software. As I’m into so many other music genres, it was perfect for keeping jamming out and experimenting with different styles’.

Those are the words of Rick Burke, the enigmatic frontman and virtuosic guitarist of Sydney’s experimental psych and space rock instrumental power trio Comacozer, who is a master at imprisoning mind-bending guitar noise within the confines of his band’s cosmic compositions. But beyond the psychedelic soundscapes he conjures with Comacozer, Burke also enjoys embarking on introspective sonic journeys, digging deep into the inner workings of his mind to unearth entrancing new sounds.

With an adventurous spirit and an ear for the ethereal, Burke fearlessly crosses the boundaries of genres, crafting experimental music that seems to emanate from another dimension. He draws inspiration from the surreal vibrations and mysterious energies captured in the vast magnetic fields of the sprawling Australian outback and the limitless expanse of the cosmos beyond.

With an insatiable curiosity and a penchant for diverse musical genres, he delved into the already explored love for techno, house, minimal, ambient and IDM, weaving these influences into the tapestry and unique sound of his Tropical Sludge solo project. Burke‘s solo endeavour became a canvas for experimentation as he meticulously crafted and manipulated an array of sounds, honing his skills in mixing, editing and navigating the intricacies of Ableton.

The solitude of the pandemic allowed him to fully embrace his creative impulses, jamming out ideas and venturing into uncharted musical territories. Drawing from his experience with Comacozer, where the music possesses an experimental edge, Burke fearlessly pushed the boundaries of his sonic palette, creating a mesmerising fusion of electronic and organic elements that transport the listener to otherworldly dimensions.

His musical journey into the realms of experimental, trippy and hypnotic soundscapes began in earnest back in 2018, when he joined forces with Australian keyboardist James Heyligers, aka Rusty Souls. Together, they crafted the enthralling album Tripnotic, a kaleidoscopic fusion of ethereal melodies, pulsating rhythms and mind-bending sonic textures that was released through the enigmatic Australian underground label Weisskalt Records. Emboldened by this creative partnership, he continued to explore these otherworldly aural territories under the moniker Tropical Sludge, unleashing a series of hypnotic, oriental-infused atmospheric singles – Underworld, DMT, Headswirlers, and most recently, Tripstasy – that evoke the spirit of Banco De Gaya’s psychedelic explorations.

Each release saw Burke getting deeper into the uncharted waters of ambient soundscapes, weaving together threads of world music, trance-inducing drones and enigmatic samples into immersive tapestries of sound. With this impressive array of musical adventures under his belt, he now stands poised to embark on an even more ambitious sonic odyssey, drawing upon his wealth of experience to craft lush, ethereal compositions that transcend genre boundaries and transport the listener to hitherto unexplored realms of the imagination.

an aural journey through uncharted realms of consciousness…

More than a year after the hypnotising release of the single Tripstasy, he continues his sonic odyssey, delving ever deeper into the transcendental realms of sound. With his trusted instruments as co-conspirators – the soulful strum of a guitar, the exotic twang of sitar, the pulsing throb of analogue synthesisers and the hypnotic beats of drum machines – he fearlessly pushes the boundaries of aural experimentation.

His vivid imagination runs wild as he weaves in haunting sample voices from vintage German and French horror films of the ‘60s and ‘70s, their eerie tones echoing through the soundscape. Field recordings captured from far-flung locations add rich texture and depth, transporting the listener to otherworldly dimensions. Shamanic speeches punctuate the composition, imbuing it with a pearl of ancient, mystical wisdom.

This amalgamation of disparate sonic elements coalesces into a cohesive, mind-bending whole – a work he calls Astral Mind. This musical mantra is a transcendent journey of deep, restorative meditation from beginning to end. As the first notes wash over you, your consciousness gently detaches from your physical form, transporting you to an ethereal realm where identity and location melt away.

Dreaming Shaman, the opening composition, submerges you in a profound mantric voyage, enveloped by serene, celestial waters that guide you effortlessly into a state of pristine serenity. Here, ephemeral whispers of quintessence drift by on psychedelic currents, intertwined with the entrancing resonance of sitar and tabla.

Venturing onward, Witchcraft immerses you deep within a lush, tropical haven, alive with the vibrant melodies of exotic birds. Their hypnotic calls evoke the dreamlike soundscapes of Zuvuya, as if channelling the shamanic wisdom of Terence McKenna himself. Irresistibly drawn further into this sonic landscape, you find yourself embraced by the unlikely rhythms of Tribal Zen, a primal force that reaches into the depths of your subconscious, unearthing and releasing dormant fears.

As the final strains of Hypnotising The Serpent envelop your being, you realise there is no desire to emerge from this profound meditative state – so thoroughly has it permeated your essence. The thought of waking becomes an unsettling spectre, a jarring re-entry into a mundane reality far removed from the blissful realm you now inhabit. This work is both a meditative journey and an exploration of what it means to exist in a universe where time stretches far beyond humanity’s grasp.

The result is an alluring fusion of transcendental tones, otherworldly textures, and hypnotic rhythms that transports the listener to uncharted realms of consciousness. Tropical Sludge’s Astral Mind is more than just a collection of songs, it’s a reflection of the music that resonates within the depths of his being, a manifestation of his inner world transmuted into sound. An immense natural and cosmic work that promises to be a transformative listening experience, an aural journey through uncharted realms of consciousness.

Label: Echodelick Records
Band Links: Bandcamp | Spotify | Instagram

Scribed by: Domenico ‘Mimmo’ Caccamo