Invisible Airline

Q-Burns Abstract Message | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 26, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Astralwerks
• ASIN: B00005K9VB
• Also Available in: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #357,703 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #80 in Music > Indie Music > Rap & Hip-Hop > Experimental

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What an incredible album, totally caught me by surprise, August 17, 2001

By 

Erica Anderson (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Invisible Airline (Audio CD)

I wasn't sure what to make of Q-Burns Abstract Message for awhile. I always assumed that his music was inaccessible and more experimental like drum & bass but when I heard "This Time" on this month's current CMJ compilation cd, I automatically knew I had to check out "Invisible Airline". I was mesmorized by Lisa Shaw's stunning vocals and the infectious, sugar-coated melodies of "This Time". Now that I have listened to "Invisible Airline" a couple of times I must say that I was absolutely wrong with my presumptions about Michael Donaldson's music. I would say that his music is a blend of house, hip hop and break beat. I love this cd, especially the songs that Lisa Shaw sings on like "Drifting Off", "This Time" and "Shame". I knew from the moment I heard "This Time" this album would be awesome. It is rare for me to know from one song if an album is going to be great or not and "Invisible Airline" is one of those rare albums with that one song that just suckered me into buying.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars not my cup of tea,but i'll drink it, July 6, 2001

By 

"gringomal" (venice, california United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Invisible Airline (Audio CD)

the main reason i dipped into the new q-burns is it has lisa shaw on it,who is one of my favorite house vocalists.i didn't know what to expect really,but i do have to respect that q-burns is truly an innovator.he has so much respect throughout the electronic music scene,as a composer,dj,and collaborator that i knew that if anything,it would be interesting.i'm strictly a deep house cat but this album shows me once again that there are other beautiful genres out there. my fave tracks are the ones with lisa shaw singing,as well as co-writing,but there are some other interesting guests including percussionist eugene snowden,blues man elmo williams and rapper swamburger.the beats on the album are thumpy,maybe a little too electronic for me,but tasty nonetheless,see track one! filled with strange atmosherics,bleeps and gongs the back side of most tracks keeps you guessing.i get warmer to it every time i listen. knowing that cats like q-burns and lisa shaw are doing quality work,and not in just one field just reminds me that the electronic music scene can be just as creative and vibrant as any other type of music. word em up.

4.0 out of 5 stars Q-Burns Abstract Message - Invisible Airline, January 26, 2012

By 

scoundrel - See all my reviews

This review is from: Invisible Airline (Audio CD)

For his second album, INVISIBLE AIRLINE, Q-Burns Abstract Message relies more heavily on his guest vocalist -- in this case, the inimitable Lisa Shaw. "Hey! Star City" sees him going even more psychedelic than before, which carries into "Shame," though Shaw grounds it with her earthy vocals. Better yet, when she's given her space on "Differently," that track catapults right into your heart. Same goes with the sparkling house of "Innocent." On a different tack, the Delta blues of "Mother's Dead" has a gritty charm which is unique in the Q-Burns oeuvre, as is the rock stylings on "Drifting Off." But the presence of these strong vocals also means that the instrumental tracks sort of disappear (as does the middling rap of "Imprisoned Glitch"). But when you have the pure funk of "You Are My Battlestar," or the dub stylings of "This Time" that should be enough. "Dreamland" ends the album on an appropriately dreamy note. Is Q-Burns going in a more pop direction? Sure, and it works.