Unknown Mortal Orchestra - IC-02 Bogotá

As its title suggests, ‘IC-02 Bogotá’ follows on from 2018’s ‘IC-01 Hanoi’ as the next in a series of instrumentals, this one recorded in the Colombian capital, and is again a musical departure from Ruben Nielson’s trademark soulful psych-funk into balmier territory. From the off, it’s one for the crate diggers: opener ‘Earth 1’ is a ten-plus minute melter with flute-laden, percussion-heavy acid-jazz meeting sultry ambience. ‘Earth 2’ and ‘Earth 3’ lift off to an intergalactic party on a tropical moon paradise reminiscent of Bogotá’s own Meridian Brothers, the former with hints of cumbia and funk, the latter intertwining towards space jazz and Super Nintendo-era game soundtrack. ‘Earth 5’ is a joyous fusion of psychedelic cumbia and groove-laden disco that brings to mind modern contemporaries Los Bitchos and Mauskovic Dance Band. ‘Heaven 7’ brings things down a little - or up, even, a synth lullaby as lucid as an out-of-body voyage through the cosmos. The ‘Underworld’ series, meanwhile, delves back into the groove-laden, the odd cameo of Ruben’s signature riffs peeking through. While a fair distance from Unknown Mortal OrchestraUMO’s staple funk-filled ballads, ‘IC-02 Bogotá’ is a worthy sequel, with all the potential to bring a blissful, mind-bending exotic escapade for one’s mind, body and soul.