Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe — Timon Irnok Manta

Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe - Timon Irnok Manta...a lot of words for a pretty simple album. Rob Lowe (recording under his full name) has had his hand in a number of projects and almost as many recordings as the Brat Packer of the same name. While I'm familiar with Rob Lowe's homemade pornography antics, I'm unfamiliar with Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe's oeuvre. I find this beneficial, though, as it allows me to give the record an unbiased review...and this is the exact type of recording that I would be swayed on.

Timon Irnok Manta consists of two tracks, "M'Bondo" (17:43) and "M'Bondo (version)" (15:05). As one can gather from the title, the second side is a different version of the first. "M'Bondo" is a long, repetitive, and fairly hypnotic track...in a good way! There are really excellent low, bass synth hits supporting a twisting, droning synthesizer floor. This opens up to a cool, bass groove that reminds me of something out of The Warriors. Some high, fluttery, glitchy loops dance on top of this and help to fill it out. At around the 10 minute mark, the synth gets a bit distorted. I totally got a Goblin/Phenomena vibe here. "M'Bondo" is a really nice track. Though, one may say, "17 minutes? Even Rob Lowe's tapes were shorter than that." Don't worry, it doesn't feel that long. The main synth groove backbone of "M'Bondo" is also the main backbone of "M'Bondo (version)." Der. This version has some vocal drones and more of a beat. There are some manipulations of the vocal drones dropped in here and there, and it wicked reminds me of the subway scene in The Wiz. Yes, everything reminds me of something. It's like I sang when I was in Naked Eyes, "There's always something there to remind me." Anyway, much like "M'Bondo," this version just chills, repeats, and lets you zone in and out for the sorta long run time.
 

My first encounter with Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe was a pleasant one. Both "M'Bondo" tracks were enjoyable and work very well with both background and close listenings. Both tracks are pretty long, but they're hypnotic enough to not outstay their welcome.