MLO – Oumuamua

Really great MLO album in so long! But... how does one pronounce "Oumuamua"?

this a really wonderful release. this is a really wonderful

No clicks or crackles here just pure beauty. A masterpiece - buy at all costs folks

Incredible compilation. The choice of the tracks are so cohesive and carefully set up that this release feels more like a thoughful album rather than a compilation. All around top quality for this excellent space ambient techno music. Once again, I would like to underline the great work of the compilator here. My copy has some perennial ticks and crackles therefore I can only give four stars despite the fact that the music itself deserves five.

Music From Memory present the first compilation of works by British electronic pioneers MLO aka Peter Smith and Jon Tye. Titled ‘Oumuamua’ and second up in the Virtual Dreams series, the compilation is an in-depth artist focused release containing twelve thoughtfully selected tracks that touch on highlights from the duo’s discography as well as newly (re)discovered music drawn from a vast archive of unreleased pieces, sketches and extended jams recorded between 1993-1995.

MLO’s ambient explorations began when Pete and Jon, having first met in rival punk bands during the late ‘70s, found themselves with unlimited access to an incredibly well-equipped studio, having been hired to produce an Icelandic pop star’s record in the early ‘90s. Particularly charmed by the Korg PS 3300 and an Emulator 2, Smith and Tye were also deeply fascinated by outer space and set about developing a musical landscape informed by both this new state of the art musical equipment and what lay beyond the Earth’s limits. Painting with a palette informed by classical minimalism, new age and the works of Cluster & Eno; the duos primary colours were drones, sustained tones, washes, calming tides, gentle temple bells and soft angelic voices with flickering glimpses of percussion and drums that hinted at the possibilities of a dance floor.

‘Oumuamua’ is a collection of music to get lost-in, a wander down the mazed, mirrored corridors of the subconscious. Peaceful, flowing, fresh-water patterns, drawing the listener toward a mediative, inner space. Not strictly ambient, rather the music rests temporarily within the boundaries between drum ‘n’ bass, library music, soundtracks and Techno. Or how Jon Tye himself puts it: “It really feels like music from a different place, a different time, made by different people.”

Artwork by Vica Pacheco, design by Steele Bonus, liner notes by Dr. Rob

MLO were never one of the big hitters of 90s electronic listening music, more the sort of act fans knew through compilation appearances. However, this carefully curated compilation, shows them to be master craftsmen of subtle and low-key but engaging pieces. Most of the tracks fall in to two main types, either stately and emotive beatless soundscapes with a debt to Eno, or meandering psychedelic machine jams. The overall standard is extremely high, and its very well sequenced, packaged and presented. The pressing is also of a high quality. Another win for Music from Memory, who should be thanked for unearthing this music and putting this compilation together- I look forward to the next volume of the Virtual Dreams series.