HDRSF-01 (EP)

In Finland there has been a strong scene of instrumentally oriented Psychedelic / Space Rock since the nineties; I would even guess that category to be the biggest one, concerning PA's Finnish artists. The Helsinki-based HIDRIA SPACEFOLK is already one of the most productive of our newer space bands, and this EP was their debut recording in front of international prog audience, spread also as a free download - which explains the relatively big number of reviews here.

The 9½-minute opening track 'Amos Ame' is simply gorgeous. The playing is lively and fresh, actually approaching jazz / fusion in some way. The flute and acoustic guitar are perfect additions into the OZRIC-reminding trippy sound. 'Kafar-I' also works well even though it's more repetitive than jazzy. 'Sindran Rastafan' sounds very much like OZRIC TENTACLES. Is that a fault, especially on a debut? And in fact, in closer listening, one can hear some differences in the sounds of these bands. Still I wouldn't pick this track among my favourites.

'Gnomen' (4:02) is probably HIDRIA at the shortest. Starting with hand drums it grows into more electronic, JARRE-like soundscape, accompanied by jawharp and didgeridoo to give a world music flavour. Hmm, this track doesn't quite flow, easily the weakest one here. 'Marastronaut' is another track I'm not fond of, its edgier sound is slightly unpleasant and it lacks the freshness of the CD's first half. Though there are one or two tracks worth of high rating in their own rights, this 35-minute CD falls short of four stars. I also would have loved to hear more of the flute, but Teemu Väisänen was only a guest musician. A promising start anyway!