Bardo

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In Tibetan Buddhism, there exist states of consciousness, or "bardos", possible to be attained by the enlightened, four of which are explored by Italian sound artist Oöphoi on his latest CD release. All his previous output has inclined toward the slowly-shifting and meditative, and 'Bardo' no less so. This is the sound of the universe, or the soul, or the universal soul, breathing in, breathing out. What is daunting about Oöphoi is how, always mustering roughly the same arsenal of instruments (synthesizers, gongs, Tibetan singing bowls, wind instruments and electronic effects), his every release seems so fresh and varied. As do each of the four tracks on this CD on Artemiy Artemiev´s Moscow-based Electroshock Records. Each track is accompanied by a short note describing the state of consciousness being conjured up ("contemplation", "dissolution [of the mental and physical self]"). Exquisite throughout, it concludes beautifully with the simulation of a slow, growling Buddhist chant.