PRINS THOMAS レコード& CD

Review: Before he released 8 and 9 as two separate vinyl albums, Prins Thomas opined that it marked his best work to date. Gathered here for the first time on a single CD, it's hard to quibble with his assessment. For starters, the collected tracks arguably offer the strongest fusion yet of the various musical threads that have long been present in his work - think sun-soaked Balearica, synthesizer-driven krautrock, dub disco, punk-funk, cosmic rock, loose-limbed grooves and wide-eyed, sunrise-ready electronic psychedelia. Highlights include the acoustic-meets-acid wonder of 'Cala Lunga', the sun-bright, slowly rising rush of 'Evig Ung', the rubbery and cosmic chug of 'Earthbound' and the heavily electronic bliss of 'I Love U'.

Review: Prins Thomas' recently released album, 8, was undoubtedly one of the most accomplished sets of his long career - an atmospheric, musically intricate affair that drenched his trademark sound in warm sonic sunlight. This partner album, which was recorded at the same time, continues in a similar vein, sashaying between AOR-influenced shuffling dub disco ('Layback Rollout'), intergalactic chuggers ('Earthbound'), morning-fresh Balearica ('Evig Ung'), nods to Tangerine Dream ('Film 0005'), slo-mo chuggers (the "watching the sun come up while suitably saucer eyed" vibes of 'I Love You'), and suitably dubby, spaced-out workouts ('Take Over Fjorden'). Another triumph from the Oslo scene stalwart!

Review: It would have been cool if Full Pupp main man Prins Thomas really did bring his mam to Panorama Bar for one of his acclaimed DJ sets. But the truth of the matter is much more tame: story has it that he wanted to create something he could play at peak time, so he roped in three of his favourite producers to make a version each. "Bringing Mum To Panorama Bar" is much more of a subtle and lean affair than we're used to by Mr Internajsonal, but it's the less is more approach that makes it so effective and hypnotic. Flip over for the mandatory "Diskomiks" version which is more energetic and upbeat and the first remix from Berghain resident Norman Nodge whose cerebral rework is perfect for those mind-altering moments on Monday morning during one of his closing sets.

Review: In the five years that it's taken former studio partner Hans-Peter Lindstrom to produce his latest solo album, Prins Thomas has delivered three fantastic full-length excursions. He's at it again here, laying down another cheery, entertaining and off-kilter romp in his now distinctive style. Rich in live instrumentation, vintage synthesizers and classic drum machines, "Prins Thomas 5" sees the lauded Norwegian serving up cuts that variously touch on space rock, cosmic disco, Italo-disco, krautrock, ambient, acid, proto-techno and, of course, his own distinctive takes on the "Scandolearic" sound he helped to create. It's arguably a little more intricate, layered and complex than some of his previous work, but that's no bad thing. Arguably, it's one of his best sets yet.