Robert Turman

In its brief, yearlong history, Editions Mego offshoot Spectrum Spools has earned a rep for dishing out some quality, way-out-of-leftfield synth records. However, the imprint is often just as much about inner space as that which lies beyond the cosmos. Such is the case with this reissue of Robert Turman's long-lost debut solo outing, Flux, easily Spectrum's most calming release to date. Originally released by the American composer in 1981, Flux is made up of six sprawling, long-form compositions standing in stark contrast to Turman's more aggressive, industrial-oriented work with acts such as NON and Z.O. Voider. Instead, what unfolds is a collection of serene, neo-classical séances, sparingly built out of minimal piano, drum machines, tape loops and kalimba. Thanks to the last of those instruments, several of the compositions come with a distinct Eastern vibe, helping add to the spiritual nature of Flux as it ebbs and flows into one seriously meditative record. Yet for all the album's tranquil atmospheres, there's an indefinable complexity to Flux, making it straddle that fine line between new age-inspired BGM and forward-thinking avant-gardism. However, Turman pulls it all off beautifully.