When it comes to instrumental space rock, you really can't go wrong with Øresund Space Collective. I pretty much love everything that has been released under that moniker. There are a few constants with the group's releases. First of those is Dr. Space (aka Scott Heller). ØSC is his band, and therefore he's on every album. Secondly, there is the fact that the music instrumental and improvised. Beyond that there is often a wide range of sounds and performers. I have to say, I think this two-CD set (listed as "Echo One" and "Echo Two") might be the group's best album yet. I really love everything here. It's varied, wide ranging and so cool.

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This opener is more than half-an-hour long. An almost funky guitar starts it. The tune shifts toward Doors-like music before turning more space-oriented. The jamming really starts to work through and cover a lot of territory. Yet, as is true of the best space music, nothing changes abruptly. It's a smooth and organic transition. I really dig the echoey section that emerges after the seven-minute mark. It works to a mellower, yet soaring space movement from there. As that new movement grows at times I'm reminded of Tangerine Dream to some degree. There is a section further down the road some non-singing voice samples - more like laughter. That part makes me think of early Pink Floyd. It gradually works upward into more hard rocking zones as it continues. The piece continues to grow and evolve from there, continuing to deliver the space magic.

There is a forlorn and melancholy vibe as this gets underway. It eventually moves to a mellow section with a prominent bass line. The cut works outward toward something not far removed from EDM. There are some sound effects that make me think of aliens. It continues to build and drive. As the evolution progresses this gets into some driving and powerful space rock zones. Around the half-way mark (the cut is almost 24-minutes long), it drops back and slows down. A reflective movement that makes me think just a little over the Doors takes control as the space continues and guitar produces some particularly cool lines of soloing. The number continues to evolve and grow from there. We even get some hints of reggae further down the road.