This is the most anticipated electronica albums of 2008 thus far. Osborne has twisted our expectations of what a Ghostly/Spectral album should sound like... infusing downtempo, deep house, acid, minimal, and soul. Even my electronica-burned ears found instant solace in his very approachable sound. The opener, "16 Stage(1)" with its warm sensations, feels like being in the womb. "Downtown(2)" awakens us with soulful house chords that you expect to hear at The Shelter. "Evenmore(3)" is the first song of the album to have that Spectral sound, but there's a certain richness that wasn't there before. "L8(4)" serves as album's first apex, blending Metro Area-type finesse and harder, old-school Chicago methodologies. The album comes back for a rest on "Suffer(5)" a gorgeous downtempo moment. In an instant, you're transported to "Our Definition of A Breakdown(6)," a half-serious, candid mess-around outtake that really gives the album that extra level of character (kind of like an old De La Soul interlude). From there, we really get to the meat of the album with DJ favorite singles like "Ruling(7), Afrika(8), "Outta Site(9)," and other new surprises. For the final taste and opposite extreme, check out the bug out moment "Junk Food(10)." It so works in this context. 15 tracks in all, and not a weak moment. Highly recommended.

reviewed by the mgmnt