Doctor Bionic - Electric Pollen [LP]

Somewhere in the hills of Cincinnati, there's a transmitter sending radio waves in every direction. The electricity flows through the air and hits your receiver with a charge that, when amplified, emits an organic sound that could only be... Doctor Bionic. They're back with a brand new album-the fourth installment in the Terrestrial Radio series, titled Electric Pollen. Like it's predecessors, the album was recorded, produced, and mixed by Cincinnati based producer Grimez. He calls on a rotating cast of talented musicians to record instrumentals that are best described as Organic Groove. "We get together in the studio, hit record, and start jamming," Grimez explained. "I'd say 90% of our music is improvised." Fans of the project will notice plenty of familiar names in the liner notes. "You are now tuned in to Terrestrial Radio... Coming to you live with Doctor Bionic." At the top of side A, "The Eyes of Chavez" begins with a short introduction from the Cincinnati rapper Crunch Ex and a simple, hypnotizing guitar riff (Brad Myers). Underneath, drummer Marvin Hawkins and bassist Kevaugh Byers provide a rock solid groove for the other musicians to build upon. The refrain arrives in the form of an undeniably catchy melody, performed in unison on the saxophone, trumpet, and keys by Charlie Suits, Eric Snyder, and DJ On Tha One, respectively. The perfect opener, this track is like a sample platter of what's to come throughout the rest of the album. Doctor Bionic has a knack for keeping things fresh. The second track, "Moment of Clarity," transports the listener to the VIP section of a smoky cocktail lounge. A soothing piano loop sets the tone, and plucky electric guitar strums keep the groove moving forward at a leisurely pace. Despite the stylistic changes from song to song, the album is sonically cohesive. With the added introduction and transitional commentary from the DJ (Crunch Ex), the album plays like a perfect radio mix. Although the recording sessions are casual and spontaneous, each finished D.B. album always follows a conceptual theme. The subject is often determined by artwork that speaks to Grimez. "I'll buy or license a piece of art that catches my eye, and then put music to it," he explained. "I have plenty of pieces that are ready to be album art, but I don't have the right music for it yet." This process is part of what makes Doctor Bionic's music different from other instrumental producers.