Space is the place, and Spectre VII will take you there. "Equipoise," the latest release from local solo musician Aaron J. Funk (aka Spectre VII), is a mind-bending techno ride through multiple musical landscapes that leaves you checking your head and melting into the sofa. 

With its combination of acoustic-sounding instruments and electronic rhythms, "Equipoise" represents the past colliding with the future. Songs such as "Resonance," with a foundation of acoustic-sounding drums layered with more electronic-based beats, combine the soft touches of piano with an ever-changing dreamy chorus of synthesized ethereal progressions. But Spectre VII also stretches it out in darker, more brooding ways—songs such as "Phase Out" and "Deserted" are much more aggressive in chord changes and tempo. Spectre VII, however, manages to refrain from relying completely on the ubiquitous thumping bass lines, pushing the music to a more intellectual level with a collage of mesmerizing soundscapes. 

There are times when the disc sounds like a soundtrack to the computer game Myst, but for the most part "Equipoise" could easily turn any techno dance club inside out. On the other hand, lying on the couch with headphones and losing yourself in the hypnotic beats is preferable. —Curtis Waterbury 

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Fans of electronica will want to check this one out.  Portland-based composer/producer/performer Spectre VII (aka Aaron J. Funk) offers his fourth album of synthesizer mood-music for your listening pleasure.  Deeply melodic tracks take you on a musical journey through the mind of this innovative artist, resulting in a dreamscape of richly textured ideas set to music.  In the tradition of Kraftwerk and Billy Currie, these 8 songs all could actually be one long one with different coloured sections, making it a concept album of sorts.  Very relaxing to listen to- almost hypnotic.  Besides the synth work, this artist also is a master of programmed percussion, and it's creative quality is evident as well.  Best to listen to this one through headphones for the full effect.  Track 7, Deserted, stands out as my favorite.  -Bob Cooper
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Hypnotic beats, dreamy soundscapes, epic and ethereal driving trance
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