Stephen Bruner aka Thundercat's much-anticipated full-length debut on Brainfeeder is here! The LA bass virtuoso has teamed up once again with Flying Lotus (who takes producer credit on this piece) to bring the mutant jazz fusion revelation known as The Golden Age Of Apocalypse to your earhole. The album picks up where Cosmogramma left off, a lush and exploratory experience that bends the boundaries of jazz fusion, beats, and electronica, with an impressive cast of guests including Erykah Badu, members of Sa-Ra and J*DaVeY, pianist Austin Peralta, and his Grammy-winning drummer Ronald Bruner, Jr. (aka Thundercat's brother!). Check the bright opener "Daylight," with its warm synths and snappy beats, the easy-going soul of "Walkin'," the loose and funky improv of "Jamboree," or the insane bass layering on "Fleer Ultra" for a taste. Other highlights include the George Duke cover "For Love I Came," and the cinematic closer "Return To The Journey." Recommended.

• black vinyl pressing
• includes printed insert
• music label: Brainfeeder 2011

reviewed by Von Bee 09/2011