On
Roots of Orchis' 2002 offering,
Some Things Plural, they've finally hit their stride, and the result is enough to make anyone who witnessed the band's earlier days be thankful they stuck it out. The group still retains their jazzy melodic feel, but they've fully integrated DJ technology on this disc, and with ample helpings of hip-hop-influenced beats the result is a much funkier and captivating act than on their (still notable) past efforts. At times sounding like a redirected version of
Tortoise, this once pensive and tangent-prone act raises the bar on this disc, and the technological alterations give a twisted backbone to their seven musical excavations. The lengthy centerpiece, "Log Tammin'," wouldn't be out of place on the first
DJ Shadow disc, which says quite a bit for a band who started off in the tradition of
Tristeza. It's all thoroughly enjoyable instrumental music that works with a handful of different moods and showcases a band during a particularly fruitful growth spurt.
Roots of Orchis still has plenty of musical territory left to cover in their young careers, but this is a solid reminder that the band is capable of really impressive work and musical growth over a short time. ~ Peter J. D'Angelo