Flying Lotus -‘Cosmogramma’ (Warp)

Warp records have put out some pretty mind-blowing records over the years. They have released msuic by the likes of !!!, Squarepusher, Battles and most famously Aphex Twin.

This album, by Flying Lotus, is little short of astounding, and definitely up there with the likes of Music Has The Right To Children and the ‘Windowlicker’ single. Flying Lotus is the nephew of the visionary Alice Coltrane and her spirit is right through this album. But to describe this as a Jazz record or an elctronica record or a Hip-hop record…these would all be clutching at straws.

Bceause this album -at 46 minutes one which would just about have fitted on an old c90 cassette -is so out there it’s not true. yet at the same time, so utterly listenable and enjoyable. Some albums you have to listen to a few times before you review them, because you’re convinced you might not have picked up on something the first time. Thisis an album that I could listen to one hundred times or more -and I’m confident that I will -and still pick up something new each time. Oh, and amongst other contributors it includes Erykah Badu and Thom Yorke, which is pretty cool. And gives an idea of just how diverse a record this is.

Utterly pioneering and a classic in the making. Think not so much Exile on Main Street or (What’s The Story?) Morning Glory; rather think Are You Experienced?, Roxy Music, Endtroducing, It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back…and most of what Miles Davis produced between 1956 and 1970. That great. That important.

What you waiting for?

*****

Cosmogramma is out now on Warp.

Stream tracks here