Double LP version. Patashnik was originally released by R&S Records/Apollo in 1994. It was number 1 in NME's Independent Chart in March 1994 and reached number 50 in the UK official album chart. The track "Novelty Waves" was used in Michel Gondry's Levi's 501 Jeans "Drugstore" spot, and holds, according to the Guinness World Records 2004, the record for "Most awards won by a TV commercial". "One reason why Jenssen's work stands out from the flood of early '90s ambient/techno releases is his strong sense of the quirkily creepy - not in an Aphex Twin mode, but in his own particular way. The contrasting samples of a child quaveringly saying, 'We had a dream last night,' followed by a rougher sample saying, 'We had the same dream,' gives opening number 'Phantasm' an unsettling feeling. Intensified by the, on the one hand, pretty, on the other, disturbing music, buried synth strings and a soft pulse accentuated by clattering noises deep in the mix, it kicks off the striking Patashnik very well. Though not as openly dark as acts like Lull, for instance, Biosphere still has an edge which isn't just melancholic, it's downright ominous at point. There's the slow crawl of 'Startoucher', for instance, with it's buried vocal snippets and deep bass drone, or the blend of the space signal atmospheres of 'Mir' into the low, brooding intro to 'The Shield.' Not everything is so shadowy, though; Patashnik is primarily a relax-and-chill listening experience, but not without it's gentle high points. 'Novelty Waves', which became a crossover single in some quarters, has a good dancefloor sharpness to it even as Jenssen slyly sneaks in odd drones and samples through the mix. The opening snippet talking about an extraterrestrial disc jockey on 'Seti Project' is good for a smile, as well as acting as a sharp lead-in to a fast rhythm track. Mostly, though, things continue on a deliciously unnerving pace throughout, gentle enough to go down easy but still just off enough to ensure you can't call this new age folderol for the rave generation."
I**O
Very good sound quality, buds and opens like a flower
I have not set out to write reviews of the music content as “beauty is in the ears of the listener”. These reviews are about the quality (or not) of the recorded sound. To read about how the reviews are done please see my profile.This could have been a very disappointing recording. However as it progresses the channels are used to develop the beats, pulses and rhythms. Consequently the recording starts to come alive. The sound stage and atmosphere start to grow and open like a flower bud. The use of the channels in the mix is very subtle and saves the recording. • Clarity – Clear pure tones and sounds, no muddiness • Channel separation – Very good • Channel balance – Reasonable, used as an instrument which ricochets from channel to channel. Sadly this is slightly disappointing • Sound Stage – Broad but there is a slight overemphasis on the centre. The first track is slightly “mono” which detracts from the overall quality of the recording and leaves it a little flat and lacking in life • Distortion – Non audible • Compression – Non audible • Atmosphere – The sounds and instruments are very atmospheric. However the recording lacks something in that the indifferent channel separation and sound stage leave the recording feeling a little flat and disappointing which is strange as the recording has huge dynamic range • Bass – low frequencies – Deep rich rumbling • Treble – high frequencies – Good not shrill • Vocals – Clear and distinctAs a general rule of thumb recordings from the 1960’s, 70’s and 80’s are nearly always better on the original vinyl. Remasters often fail to please as it’s just not possible to make a silk purse from a sows ear, i.e. the original recording lacks the necessary detail to be processed digitally and show an audible improvement. Indeed such processing can make the sound worse.Modern recordings which have been processed digitally from start to finish can be as good as vinyl. CD’s are often unfairly criticised for being poor quality. This is not the case, it is the original recording or the process which is to blame. Modern “remasters” can both enhance and degrade a recording. The statement GIGO (Garbage In Garbage Out) is the limiting factor. Ignore this at your cost.
P**L
I like Biosphere very much but I particularly like this album ...
I like Biosphere very much but I particularly like this album as it has beats as well as ambience.All the tracks are very interesting and being a movie buff I found it fun trying to identify which films the samples of dialogue came from.The bonus disc is special too as it offers up remixes of some of the songs and one or two mixes of tracks that weren't on the album."The Third Planet" and "The Seal And The Hydrophone" as well as the remix of "Novelty Waves" are the highlights for me.
M**L
Buy It, Put It On, Tell Everyone To STFU 👍
F***ing marvellous. Such an underrated album.Bought it when it first came out in 94 & this reissue makes it even better.Ambient heaven ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
D**C
5 Stars!
A little different from most in the ambient/chill out genre for reasons highlighted in other reviews here and with excellent production and sound quality. Therefore, it is a welcome and enjoyable addition to my growing collection of electronica music.
A**R
electronica heaven!
a masterpiece! and my personal fav. after Subtrata vol 1 & 2 , a suggestion put on your headphones!
A**R
Not the best.
Not as good as Substrata or Cirque....but still some good moments
J**2
great for reading to
another album to add to my collection of music for reading to nice trippy great ambient album only just got into biosphere and i'm not dissapointed
T**T
Great stuff
Beautiful atmospheric music. Very useful if you are working with theatre pieces or with dance pieces. I can see I'll be using this a lot.
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