Gnosis

Theres no mistaking this RAVEN for the scores of individuals and bands that have made music under the name (with or without proper casing). That said, the output of this San Francisco-based producer is varied enough to make one wonder if its the combined effort of a flock. GNOSIS, RAVENs debut for Jenny Slattery and Anthony Naples Incienso label, is little like any of his seven preceding albums. LOOK, his 2020 debut, consisted of purposefully malformed downtempo R&B. 2024s Secrets, postscripted with "Special thanks to Martin Hannett," was seemingly dispatched from the North of England circa 1981, at least until the second halfs sharp pivot to faded jazz-funk and fusion redolent of the same era! GNOSIS is not exactly a departure. The odd track from the producers other releases would fit here, on what provides a highly concentrated, perfectly sequenced set of ambient techno. Aphex Twin (1992-1993), Detroit Escalator Co., Newworldaquarium/154, Lawrence, and Actress could all be among the inspirations, though these tracks strike a distinctive, eerily comforting chord imbued with soul. The titles convey a sense of boundlessness reflected in the music. "UNLIMITED EDITION" would be at home in Clones descriptively named Jack for Daze series and contains a vaporous, lilting melody that couldnt possibly outstay its welcome. "INFINITE RED ROSES," fittingly the most romantic tune, has a peculiar crystalline (if dust-caked) quality, and likewise gradually appears and fades out like its an excerpt from a much lengthier work. The wistfulness crests with the related "IN LOVING MEMORY," what could be a soundtrack for someone coping with the loss of a friend by watching an old video of the loved one dancing carefree. The album ends with revved-up electro-techno thats almost as taut as Transllusion. Its too brief by half -- a glimpse of the next chapter? ~ Andy Kellman