2350.org - Namlook X

The way these live CDs have evolved is amazing when you listen to them in order and see how his sound has matured. This one has got to be the best one of the lot or at least in heavy competition with my personal favorite until now - Namlook IV - Power Supply (live in San Francisco). It starts out a bit dark and deep for awhile and suddenly the synth sweeps you right up off the ground and the melody comes in which is very emotional and touching. I found myself in a meditative and thoughtful mood for awhile until the beats came in. It starts out a bit funky and experimental in an intelligent sort of way. Everything keeps changing and evolving as the rich layers of sound overlap and blend together. Suddenly it will all stop for a moment for a quick breath of fresh air and then it jumps back into the beats but a little bit faster and even more involving with some new percussive and warm elements. This just builds and builds until eventually it all comes full circle and returns you to where you started, that beautiful melody. If this is the last live CD, I hope it's only for a short while. He's certainly left us with a well thought out and emotive release that we can listen to a long time like the Air CDs.

(review by Will-E)

i recently got namlook X: monolith and i would like to join in chorus with the good reviews this disc had received. this is near perfect electronic music all around: rich, moving bass, interesting synthesis, and some of the best percussive work i've heard all year.

this is an excellent introduction to namlook's work if anyone is still wondering. the opening passage is one of his finest "slow movements," building from seemingly nothing at all. bass drones swell, but you notice them most the moment they are cut off; an absent presence.

this is a complex, challenging, but ultimately "healing" work.

(review by mark frank)