Release Date: 1997 (This release: June 25, 2006)

Genre: Electronic Ambient

Label: Touch / Kudos Records Limited

Distributor:

Producer: Geir Jenssen

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Originally released in 1997, Biosphere's Substrata is an incredible accomplishment standing like an epitaph of innovation to the electronic music connoisseurs of the nineties. Composed and produced by Norwegian artist Geir Jenssen, the album features 11 stunning electronic/ambient tracks that deserve a place in the anthology of electronica superbia.

There's lots of innovation laced throughout the album in terms of sequences, sweeps, pads, and some of the most inventive use of ambient melodies and implanted guitar and bass bits you're ever likely to find from the period.

"Antennaria" and "Hyperborea" are essential listening but each of the tracks on this album have individual 'horizon widening' elemental qualities to them. Watch out for the environmental inserts and vox meanderings here and there; this is the kind of stuff that many of today's upcoming instrumental artists have started to examine a little more closely than before and much of that pursuit is down to the massive influence guys like Geir Jenssen have had and the likes of Brian Eno et al had before Geir.

I'd recommend looking up more Biosphere stuff... it does make a welcome impact on your musical horizons and takes care of that thirst for clever electronica and ambient excellence!

Colin Lynch

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