The long wait between Doof’s first album - Lets Turn On - And the latest - it’s about time - has most certainly been worth it. Instead of on your face spastic trance you get much these days, Doof has managed to create an atmospheric downtemp/chill album,
Nick Doof has most certainly done it this time.
First, let us evaluate the album as a whole.
This is a total masterpiece. all songs have same basic feel, they all have somewhat similar tastes and textures. If i would have to put it in a single word, that would be air. As soon as you press play, the floating begins, and it takes you softly through the marshmallow clouds of unparallel softness. Everything is kind and friendly, much like a round sphere which cannot be penetrated by harmful or aggressive vibrations. Songs in general have a lot of echoes and reverbs, and they seem to push the walls farther expanding the space around you. And everywhere they go, all is always followed by smooth, ingeniously simplified and powerfully pulsing sinusoidinal baselines. The base is the heartbeat of most of the songs, instead of usual basedrums. And though the album is about 7 years old, it has not aged a bit. The sound as I listen to the album now, is as fresh as it was when released. Timeless classic.
1. Try
Beautiful start. Mellowly filtered base fades in from from the sorrounding atmosphere, and takes total control of the song. Every drum hit, and melody seem to be there only to strengthen the baseline. Top 3 tracks of the album
2. Dawn of ...
A bit more upbeat, almost trance, but still round and soft like the others.. one of the rare trance tracks which you can actually count as ambient. No lead melodies, just variated fx and baselines, although ano of the baselines manages to become a lead melody for a short while. and again you have the same feeling, all sounds are there to bring out and elevate the base.
3. last half ....
This feels to be the sequel or the endhalf of the previous tack.Drums take abit more laeding role from the base as the beatbringer of the tune. Slightly flanged highats maintain the air theme of the wholeness, as do the all surrounding delays. All filterings and sweeps in this tune is done with brilliant minimalistic touch.
4. Home on .....
Tempo is sliding a bit downwards, And drumseaction is in total control over the base. Hihats and the use of snare give this one a bit spastic touch, but in the most gentle way imaginable.
5. SK2K
Almost dubientish. True lounge lizard stuff. Perfect tune when you come home from rough night of clubbing around. Melodies are very soothing and pleasant. Two words - Base and Echo. Top 3 tracks of the album
6. Dark secret ....
Gently bubbling melody starts this Dub. For a change, the base is just simply the base of the tune, and melody takes the leading role. Everthing is loose and floating around. weightless.
7. nights in….
A floater. Ultra ambient and long beginning. Nice one if you are making a collection for meditation. may help you sleep also, and i mean nothing bad with this, only that this track is so very peaceful and ethereal. nice. may also be used in some really deep sessions. Infading drumsequence work somewhat like a clockwork, and the early floaters are guided to their place in the rhytmn.
8. There’s nothing…
Top notch, veery looong and soothing tune that puts nice end to the doof experience. Essential ambient tune for every and very demanding needs. Top 3 tracks of the album, and my personal favourite.
PS. To Doof, It’s about time again.
