“I confess” as Dave Wakeling sang, I know very little about Pollinators, but I do consider myself as a low-level Twitcher, nothing to serious but I reckon I can identify a few species from afar with a relatively decent pair of field glasses. I also am or was the proud owner of a nice little posse of Goldfinch who would visit my garden and queue up patiently on the washing line for their turn on the bird feeders. I do have an interest in wildlife and nature and I am at one with my inner David Bellamy, so when I received the Moolakii Club Printed media “Episode 6 – Pollinator” in all its technicolour glory it sent me into a rabbit hole digging frenzy to educate myself on all things Pollinator.
Pollinators play a critical role in the food production system, they help carry pollen from the Stamen to the Stigma, the male and female part of a flower. There are various types of pollinators Bees, Butterflies, Moths, wasps and flies to name a few.
It is estimated that due the decline of these Pollinators there are 500, 000 early deaths in humans due to reduced supply of healthy foods. The Pollinators are required to pollinate crops such as nuts, vegetables, fruits and wild plants.
The latest album from Loopatronica “Pollinator and Friends” is a charity release to support the Cheshire Wildlife Trust’s Rewilding Project to restore meadow habitats and to date has raised over £400. Prior to that album release Episode 6 of the Printed Media gives you a lovely taster of things to come on the album in CD, cassette and download format “Pollinator: demo and rejected tracks” two demo tracks and two unnamed tracks.
With images of rolling sweet smelling summer meadows, water colour washed blue skies, the background noise of natures own soundtrack, the birds and the bees, the opening piano keys on “Pollinator 2 – demo” absorb you just as Mike Oldfields 1973 masterpiece Tubular Bells, probably most recognisable as part of the Exorcist soundtrack.
“Pollinator 4 – Demo” is a teasing mix of synths, then we are straight into the tingling beats of the first unnamed tracks.
The last unnamed track is like being in a sonic wind tunnel of whirling electronica, chewing you up and unapologetically spitting you out to where you find yourself back in amongst the summer meadows.
This is not so much of a review more of an environmental cry for help, if this album/project can raise awareness of the Pollinator Crisis and at the same time educate your mind and stimulate your eardrums then Loopatronica and Moolakii Club Audio Interface’s job is done, for episode 6 at least.
Now lets get under the hood and review the actual album in all its spectacular glory.
“The visits of insects to flowers are important to both insect and flower, the flower gives up its sweet nectar to the insect for food, while the insect carries away pollen useful in cross pollination”.
The spoken word from the 1956 Educational film “Flowers at Work: Pollination” sets the scene for track one “Bionic Potential”, and yes, I did use the power of the search engine to find out the definition.
Track two evolves from the “Pollinator 2 – Demo” Mike Oldfield Esque in all its glory “Melissae”.
“Night Tapers and Waxen Thighs” the 3rd track on the album builds from minimal soft electronica slowly into a crunchingly beautiful Drum and Bass style masterpiece “Watch your bass bins I’m tellin’ ya”. The track fades out with linear keys from where it once began.
We move onto and into “Entomophily” and what can I say! Well, I better say something as this is meant to be an album review. Stunning would be an understatement, a really incredible track that leaves you in a spine tingling somewhat emotional state. I will you with that one to indulge and enjoy.
In the poetic words of William Butler Yeats “Nine bean-rows will I have there, a hive for the honey-bee, and live alone in the bee-loud glade”. All through the 13 minutes of “Alone in the bee-loud glade” you can imagine Yeats scribing his magical words surrounded by the sound of wild bees, alone on the small island in County Sligo.
The main Pollinator album draws to a close with the pulsating beats of “Tears of Ra” crackling, bubbling and pushing through this 4.20-minute dance track doesn’t seem to be long enough, yet a great way to finish an amazing body of work.
All is not done though we have been blessed with the Friends Remixes, thoughtfully crafted, exquisitely executed and all lovingly gift wrapped and delivered for your listening pleasure.
Enjoy people, dive in and discover the artists responsible for these brilliant remixes.
Links:
MCPM 006 : Pollinator | Loopatronica / TWGX | Moolakii Club Audio Interface
Pollinator Project | Loopatronica | Moolakii Club Audio Interface
Michael Conboy
MEANS 