
What I noticed there was something I could never had expected. Inside the box was a nice transparant 12" from English ambient pioneers O Yuki Conjugate. Ever since I discovered this act back in the nineties, it had become one of my ultimate references in the ambient scene. Their track 'Sunchemical' is on almost all of my playlists. Their albums are a constant in my day-to-day playlist. So yes, I am a fan and I was pleasantly surprised when I opened that vinyl shipping box.
'Tropic' basically is a collection of lost, forgotten and unreleased music from 1994 and 1995. It's divided into two lengthy tracks, each lasting for about twenty five minutes. Side A is named 'The Fate Of Less Valuable Animals'. Side B is named 'Darkness Was Here Yesterday'. However, those who know O Yuki Conjugate will immediately recognize that classic soundscape and the headstrong, percussion driven passages we all know and love this act for.
I think that is perhaps the most notable aspect on this album: this is O Yuki Conjugate. No other ambient act has ever managed to come close to their sound and their level of variation so it's awesome to hear these sounds again. As I mentioned before, the two tracks are collections of unreleased tracks, mixed into one another. Therefore, there is plenty of variation, more than enough to keep you entertained.
So in all, 'Tropic' is an excellent addition to any collection where O Yuki Conjugate is already present, although I would still recommend earlier works like 'Peyote' for people who are not acquainted with this act. 'Tropic' is O Yuki Conjugate pur-sang, strange, atmospheric and full of surprises, especially for the ambient scene. So my advice, check it out, buy the album and allow yourself to bask in a sonic world you could never have dreamed.
Serge