Biosphere

First of all, turn your speakers way, way up because there's little discernable noise for a minute or two into the first track of ambient maestro Biosphere's first live disc. Even then you'd be hard-pressed to make out the experiments in trombone embouchure on "Pneuma." However, like an expertly paced DJ set, the music gradually unfolds into a mix not unlike the kind the Orb used to make in the early '90s, though without any possibility to dance your way out of the sonically-induced K-hole. The recording is a combination of hard disc board recording and live microphones, which gives a lovely sense of depth to the subtly undulating and swinging beats. Most of all, it's Biosphere's Northern chill that gives life to these varying shades of grey. For anyone familiar with the studio version of these songs, they will find much to love in the immense headroom gained by this process. Do not attempt to operate heavy machinery while listening to this recording.