"Orbits" by Hydrophonic is probably the most ambitious local recording I've come across in recent years. It's a thematic work with one track dedicated to each of the nine planets in our solar system. Oh, and two more tracks for the Sun and the Moon. And one for the asteroid belt. Uh, and another one for Triton, which is a moon of Neptune. Well, I guess nine whole planets wasn't enough cosmic fodder for this prolific Lansing-based project. Click "Read More" for the review and important show information. 
Now linked to song samples!CD: ORBITS
Band: Hydrophonic
Year: 2002
Label: self-released
Recorded at: Pete & Jeff's Studios
Mastered by:Glen Brown @ GBP Studios
This disc begins with instrumental jazz fusion, appropriately enough, since our hour-long journey begins in the heat of The Sun (track 1) and ventures outward into twelve more cool space grooves. Orbits is mostly composed of these Jeff Beck-ish space jams ("There & Back" phase. Check out Mars - track 6), but there's plenty of instrument and genre variation to keep your interest; there's funk, techno, easy-listening (think Michael Franks on track 3 - Venus), country blues (Track 12 "Neptune") and even a gospel number for our little blue planet (Track 5, "Earth"), in which the choir sings, "Music make them people, music make them people jump & shout! Jump & Shout!" They'll be dancing in the pews.
A notable feature of Orbits is a slew of funky sound-effects (including a Donkey-Kong sample and a Theramin) and omnipresence analog keyboards which give this disc a very Zappa-esque feel to it (Check out Mercury - track 2). Moog synthesizers are played by both guitarist/composer Pete Moody and his partner Jeff Greetis, who also plays a funky bass, a mouth-harp and electric piano on Orbits. And there's twelve guest musicians who appear on this release (A solar-system unto themselves). No doubt due to the advantage of owning your own recording studio (Pete & Jeff's Studios); there's always someone passing through who wants to jam.
Orbits isn't the usual fare, but that's what makes this disc so unique amongst a slew of others being released locally. It's different; it's jazzy, and it's thematic (though I'll give the original concept to Mussorgsy who composed "The Planets" between 1914-16. But hell, he didn't have The Hubble Space Telescope for inspiration!). Again, unlike many contemporary releases, Orbits, I would guess, is meant to be listened to as a whole (the hour before bedtime should be sufficient). Orbits is a solid production with serious musical performances and enough bravery to boldly go where no other local band has gone before.
- Mitch
ATTENTION SPACE CADETS:Hydrophonic will be performing selections from "Orbits" at THE GREEN DOOR in Lansing on Thursday, January 23rd. Definitely a gig worth checking out if you're sick of the same old / same-old. Also a good place to pick up this fascinating release. Click Here for all the pertinent information. |