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Editorial Reviews
When global bass music matriarch Mary Anne Hobbs recently told The Fader ''Flying Lotus, for me,is like the Hendrix of his generation'', it seemed more than an audacious opinion, and with the arrival of Cosmogramma, it's revealed as a revelation. In the past couple of years since his debut album, Los Angeles, Flying Lotus has grown into the position of being far more than a producer, he has helped materialize a far-reaching strain of musical ideology that has encompassed not only a global family of like-minded artists, but also a nearly infinite palate of planetary (and interplanetary) sonics. No longer simply an outgrowth of Ellisona's machines, the music here is also the product of live instrumentalists from the worlds that Cosmogramma engages. There's the constant bass presence of ''Thundercat'', a cornerstone of Sa-Ra Creative; there's Rebekah Raff's harp connecting the dots between the music of Harry Partch and Ghostface Killah (both of which she's performed); there's an appearance by the tenor sax of Steven's cousin and jazz royalty, Ravi Coltrane, and by the voice of one Thom Yorke, an Oxford bloke taking respite from singing in the most influential rock band of the 21st century.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
28 of 33 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I don't think its fair to review and rate an album such as this after only one day's listen... it's simply too dense. However, I can't help but offer my initial impressions to those of you still debating or waiting to get your copy.
While Los Angeles has its roots still sample based Hip-Hop, had dashes of Trip-Hop and Electronica, Cosmogramma goes beyond the far reaches of any boxed genre I can think of. The closest I can relate it to is avant garde jazz w/ some futuristic head nodding space grooves. A feeble attempt at classifying something that could very well be a considered a new genre. I know it's been said before about some of his work, but now so more than ever does FlyLo make that argument legit.
What I'm not struggling with is the pure genius that bleeds through the speakers in many of the small moments. The first couple of tracks didn't leave a huge impression on me, but as with the last LP, helps set the stage for stronger cuts like "A Comic Drama" and "Zodiac S*!!". Both are your "typical" solid FlyLo tracks. At that point the album could have coasted and probably still have been a solid 3rd album effort... but all of a sudden we get the intense build of "Computer Face//Pure Being" kicking it up notches beyond dope. The Nintendo generation will have shades of "Mega Man" esq loops interlaced and woven all throughout the track. Never missing a beat from thereon out, the album is loaded with those "holy s$!!" moments of musical ecstasy and you find yourself lost. From the head jerking "Recoiled", the interlocking drums on "Arkestry" to the woozy groove and lush strings of "Do the Astral Plane"; I find myself torn: drawn to each song in its own right and yet never fully being able to commit to a strong favorite above the rest. The sublime "German Haircut" is another blessing w/ Ravi Coltrane providing smooth Tenor Sax to the mix. Heavy synths and keys on "Dance of the Pseudo Nymph" require as much deep concentration as it does a mandatory nod of the skull. All the way up until "Galaxy in Janaki" (which also stands out as an epic symphonic conclusion to the performance) this piece of music captivates your attention and commands your eardrum. I will say that the vocal performances to me are not as tight as on LA, but it may be because the production simply overwhelms them here. I find myself clinging to the harps, strings, bass cords and yes... the table tennis match instead of vocals by Thundercat and the return collaboration of Laura Darlington. Even the welcome appearance of Yorke seems to serve its purpose as better exposure for FlyLo as apposed to actually adding the significant value you would think. Not to say that these players don't bring anything to the table. They are merely servants to FlyLo's bag of tricks, rightfully never able to wrestle the beat away from his control. He creates a beautiful canvas of sound that seamlessly moves from neck breaking to deeply satisfying grooves. Before you know it, you're constantly skipping back to pick out your favorite moments, only to vanish again in the overall flow of the album. Call it blasphemy, but Cosmogramma gives me the same feelings I got when I first heard Endtroducing... back in late '97; an album where I'm still trying to peel back all the layers even today.
There is still plenty I need to digest here, but my initial feeling is that I will love this album for years to come. Those wanting more of the same FlyLo might find their boundaries being pushed forward into unexpected realms of musical imagination. Although I am hesitant to award any fresh purchase high praise before experiencing its long term enjoyment... right now this has me in a strangle hold.
(9/10)
While Los Angeles has its roots still sample based Hip-Hop, had dashes of Trip-Hop and Electronica, Cosmogramma goes beyond the far reaches of any boxed genre I can think of. The closest I can relate it to is avant garde jazz w/ some futuristic head nodding space grooves. A feeble attempt at classifying something that could very well be a considered a new genre. I know it's been said before about some of his work, but now so more than ever does FlyLo make that argument legit.
What I'm not struggling with is the pure genius that bleeds through the speakers in many of the small moments. The first couple of tracks didn't leave a huge impression on me, but as with the last LP, helps set the stage for stronger cuts like "A Comic Drama" and "Zodiac S*!!". Both are your "typical" solid FlyLo tracks. At that point the album could have coasted and probably still have been a solid 3rd album effort... but all of a sudden we get the intense build of "Computer Face//Pure Being" kicking it up notches beyond dope. The Nintendo generation will have shades of "Mega Man" esq loops interlaced and woven all throughout the track. Never missing a beat from thereon out, the album is loaded with those "holy s$!!" moments of musical ecstasy and you find yourself lost. From the head jerking "Recoiled", the interlocking drums on "Arkestry" to the woozy groove and lush strings of "Do the Astral Plane"; I find myself torn: drawn to each song in its own right and yet never fully being able to commit to a strong favorite above the rest. The sublime "German Haircut" is another blessing w/ Ravi Coltrane providing smooth Tenor Sax to the mix. Heavy synths and keys on "Dance of the Pseudo Nymph" require as much deep concentration as it does a mandatory nod of the skull. All the way up until "Galaxy in Janaki" (which also stands out as an epic symphonic conclusion to the performance) this piece of music captivates your attention and commands your eardrum. I will say that the vocal performances to me are not as tight as on LA, but it may be because the production simply overwhelms them here. I find myself clinging to the harps, strings, bass cords and yes... the table tennis match instead of vocals by Thundercat and the return collaboration of Laura Darlington. Even the welcome appearance of Yorke seems to serve its purpose as better exposure for FlyLo as apposed to actually adding the significant value you would think. Not to say that these players don't bring anything to the table. They are merely servants to FlyLo's bag of tricks, rightfully never able to wrestle the beat away from his control. He creates a beautiful canvas of sound that seamlessly moves from neck breaking to deeply satisfying grooves. Before you know it, you're constantly skipping back to pick out your favorite moments, only to vanish again in the overall flow of the album. Call it blasphemy, but Cosmogramma gives me the same feelings I got when I first heard Endtroducing... back in late '97; an album where I'm still trying to peel back all the layers even today.
There is still plenty I need to digest here, but my initial feeling is that I will love this album for years to come. Those wanting more of the same FlyLo might find their boundaries being pushed forward into unexpected realms of musical imagination. Although I am hesitant to award any fresh purchase high praise before experiencing its long term enjoyment... right now this has me in a strangle hold.
(9/10)
10 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I've heard some people say this album is Flying Lotus' least accessible album and others say it's his most accessible album. I don't really know. I do know that this album had much more work put into it and you can tell. I love albums where you can consistently hear new things in the music each time you listen to it, and this is one of those albums. It has the usual Flying Lotus synth sounds, 8-bit sounds, ever changing drum beats, solid bass, weird unidentifiable sounds, occasional vocals, etc.... but I LOVE the addition of the live bass guitar, harp, and strings scattered throughout. He definitely imitates the Alice Coltrane sound on two songs, and they are beautiful nonetheless. The difference between L.A. and Cosmogramma is like the difference between Miles Davis' In A Silent Way and Bitches Brew. Cosmogramma is like a rocket launch into new territories, utilizing new instruments and a more cacophonous approach, much like Bitches Brew did. It's a great album, and it helps if you are into some of the "cosmic jazz" influences like Alice and Sun Ra. Flying Lotus is headed in the right direction, exploring anything his imagination conjures up, and I hope he goes further.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Pretty awesome collection of instrumental Hip Hop songs. I am always a sucker for anything with Jazz infusions and this is definitely no exception. Excellent production skills and sampling equal out to a generally great album with only a few flaws.
Instrumentally which is what pretty much all of this album encompasses with only a few breadths, this album is extremely strong. It samples quite a lot of different types of big band, Jazz and world music and all of it is well integrated into the general ideas and emotions he is trying to convey. He also uses sounds that wouldn't normally be heard in a song, like drills, tennis games and other weird stuff that somehow always seems to work anyway. The general mixing techniques are pretty awesome and take things to a whole new level for this genre as far as I have heard.
I think Recoiled, Table Tennis and German Haircut are my favorites, but all the songs are pretty strong.
The few cameo Vocal songs are all well done. Table Tennis is probably my favorite one, but Thom Yorke's isn't bad either. I'm not the biggest fan of Radiohead, but it was a generally nice cameo that got the job done.
I also on an irrelevant note, have to give the album art an A+. Simple but awesome, just like most of the songs.
The feelings and themes are well enumerated by the sounds and this is one of those CD's it will take many listens to get everything out of. Listens I am personally looking forward to. A great album, I would highly recommend to all those who like Jazz and Hip-hop instrumentals.
Instrumentally which is what pretty much all of this album encompasses with only a few breadths, this album is extremely strong. It samples quite a lot of different types of big band, Jazz and world music and all of it is well integrated into the general ideas and emotions he is trying to convey. He also uses sounds that wouldn't normally be heard in a song, like drills, tennis games and other weird stuff that somehow always seems to work anyway. The general mixing techniques are pretty awesome and take things to a whole new level for this genre as far as I have heard.
I think Recoiled, Table Tennis and German Haircut are my favorites, but all the songs are pretty strong.
The few cameo Vocal songs are all well done. Table Tennis is probably my favorite one, but Thom Yorke's isn't bad either. I'm not the biggest fan of Radiohead, but it was a generally nice cameo that got the job done.
I also on an irrelevant note, have to give the album art an A+. Simple but awesome, just like most of the songs.
The feelings and themes are well enumerated by the sounds and this is one of those CD's it will take many listens to get everything out of. Listens I am personally looking forward to. A great album, I would highly recommend to all those who like Jazz and Hip-hop instrumentals.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Cosmogramma Alt. Takes
Pushing Music Forward
Steven Ellison, better known as Flying Lotus, may not be a household name, but among musicians he is viewed as a master of his art. Read more
Steven Ellison, better known as Flying Lotus, may not be a household name, but among musicians he is viewed as a master of his art. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Hott Scall
Headphone Commute Review
Listening to the music of Steven Ellison is a head trip. Period. Although we may have heard the sounds of Flying Lotus on Adult Swim's interludes (aka 'bumps') between the shows,... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Headphone Commute
Future-rama
Wow - I just came across this after reading the pitchfork best albums of 2010 - no argument with that. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Mark Twain
Overkill from the outer limits
I haven't done any research on the artist himself but know about his arty music-family pedigree and that's about it. As far as the music.. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Baitor Speed
much hyped/deservedly
Below were my initial impressions, and I was wrong. This is a dense, artistic intellectual work. Like reading a classic novel it opens itself up from repeated readings. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Dj4cast
Electric Top Ramen
I had high hopes for this, what with all the comparisons to Dilla and John Coltrane. Unfortunately, the best comparison may be to Chick Corea's Return to Forever fusion mediocrity... Read more
Published 20 months ago by Quentin Compsen
Progressive, innovative? Yes. Better? No.
3.5 Stars.
I've been listening to a lot of IDM, instrumental hip hop, off-beat electronic music, for the last 15 years, and far from being settled into a sound I love... Read more
I've been listening to a lot of IDM, instrumental hip hop, off-beat electronic music, for the last 15 years, and far from being settled into a sound I love... Read more
Published 22 months ago by Derek Young
Brilliant
This is an amazing album. I don't buy a lot of music, usually opting to stream through Napster or Last.fm or Pandora instead, but this had to go on my iPod. Like Lotus, I'm an L.A. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Nicolas C. Lange
Mostly Just Random Noise
I really don't know what else to say, other than it sounded like layers of noise piled onto each other - so much so that none of it was really distinguishable. Read more
Published 23 months ago by George Sand
Disappointing!
LA was one of the best albums I've ever heard. I've played it while I drive, over and over, and I never get sick of it. The rhythms are sexy, the sounds are sci-fi. Read more
Published 23 months ago by a
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