Rhythmic Altered State

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RAS is Robert Galic, a German fellow with an unbridled affection and authentic feel for the music of Africa and the West Indies. And the blues, funk, and r'n'b of America, I hasten to add. Conservatory trained, Galic apparently experienced something of an epiphany in London several years ago, where he was studying bass and ethnomusicology, when in the streets outside he discovered what he calls "real" music: hip hop, drum'n'bass and ragga.

His debut album 'Rhythmic Altered State' reflects Galic's move toward the groove. Heralded by the trumpeting of an elephant, 'Rhythmic Altered State' embarks on an irresistably funky excursion into Afrobeat, reggae, dub and house rhythms that just never subsides. Guest musicians, including Nigerian-born vocalist Wunmi, South African expatriate culture crooner Vido Jilashe and trombonist Jerome Bugnon, fuse perfectly with RAS' sampling and beat mastery.

White Europeans who "co-opt" black music often cause politcally-correct noses to wrinkle in disapproval, but RAS displays total devotion to and understanding of the music, from the griot of Western Africa, across the dub magic of Lee Perry, to the muscular P-Funk workouts of George Clinton and company. One of the coolest and most intelligent party albums of the year.