Bardo

• Artist: Oöphoi
• Rating:
• Release Date: 2002
• Genre: Electronica

Review

Bardo is the first non-Russian album released on the electronic music label Electroshock. Oöphoi is Italy's Gianluigi Gasparetti, who had already provided a track for the compilation Electroshock Presents Electroacoustic Music, Vol. 7. Bardo came out shortly after the release of Athlit on the Hypnos label and forays deeper into ambient spiritual electronics. There are six states of consciousness in the Tibetan bardo, a meditative rite of passage from life to death. Oöphoi retains four of them, expressed in lengthy tracks (12 to 29 minutes). Integrated to the vaporous layers of synthesizers and electronics are flutes, gongs, Tibetan singing bowls, light percussion, and voices droning incantations. Oöphoi's intention is clearly not to indulge in exotic flavors, although a sense of sacred Tibetan music is integral to the work. The key word is dissolution: reference points, memories of daily life, and recognizable rhythms and sounds all fade away in the course of the four pieces, replaced by ethereal synth washes. It is very well done, albeit a little on the long side. "Chikai Bardo: Dissolution" reaches an interesting point of balance between treated concrete sounds (a train or subway in particular, evoking movement, transition) and synthesis. The closer, "Sipai Bardo: Crossing the Bridge of Existence -- The Eternal Cycle," feels like a series of deep after-death breaths, all electronic except for vocal droning, but with a very organic touch. Recommended to the contemplative type. ~ François Couture, All Music Guide