Hatchback’s latest set for Lo Recordings takes inspiration from the music of his youth. Consisting of 4 “side-long” tracks (i.e. 18 to 20 minutes in duration) of “Californian Cosmic” it draws on jazz, kosmische, prog rock and albums by Miles Davis, Pink Floyd, Klaus Schulze, Tangerine Dream and Yes. The collection opening and closing with temple chimes, and each peaceful piece evolving organically from an extended, atmospheric intro. 

“And The Walls Became The World All Around” starts with slow, serene synths. A kankyo ongaku-esque, new age soundscape of stretched synthesised tones. A modular meditation, tickled by tender trickles and gentle rhythmic ripples, that around the 12 minute mark transforms into a more traditional tune. Something resembling a Cafe del Mar sunset classic. 

The title track, “Phaser For The Ocean, Chorus For The Moon”, is an epic expanse of mechanised, programmed, sighing, shining and twinkling. A cinematic shimmering that shifts into bucolic bubbling and seems to harbour softly singing reed-like frequencies. 

“Other Desert Cites” summons a Jon Hassell-esque Fourth World heat haze. An Orb-like ambient landscape of woodwinds, trumpets, fanfares and whistles, bleeps and glitches. Near subliminal snatches of what could be an oud. Distant echoes of dubwise roots horns. Ethereal washes, harp glissandos and cool, country-fied picking. Big and blissed out, its beat begins sedate and ceremonial, before hitting a relaxed, loved-up skank. An electric piano wrapping the whole thing in warm, warped notes. 

For a finale, “Friendship Fountain” weaves a layered lattice of tranquil fretwork. Bar by bar adding, creating complexity, calming counterpoint, from simple, synergistic repeats, in a manner, that, again, seems kankyo ongaku inspired. Its melody like a hypnotic, healing mantra, that midway through is handed over to bass-y, buzzing machines who send the repetition cycling through timbre and texture. 

Hatchback’s “Phaser For The Ocean, Chorus For The Moon” can be ordered directly from Lo Recordings.