This time around, I’m reviewing a much older album released in 2005 by Aleksi Virta. Aleksi Virta may not be a household name around the electronic music scene but he surely produces some breathtaking music.

Aleksi Virta Meets Torsti at the Space Lounge consists mainly of dubby/downtempo tracks blending in jazz, bossa nova and idm influences. Although not one style really dominates the album, there is one common denominator to all the tracks in that they are all highly accessible - basing themselves off solid transitions, melodies and instrumentation.

The album starts off with the Outer Edge Intro which offers a simple enough of a start to get you hooked. Consisting mainly of dubby sounding percussion, voice samples and various sounds that flow in and out, it is the sort of idm-ish downtempo track that long time listeners of idm wouldn’t find too surprising. Coming in second is Nebulae herb which features a synthethic sounding sax like synth playing the main melody accompanied by organs and electric piano key sounds. The most interesting part of this track comes around 1:11 when a delayed arp comes in creating a nice wall of harmonious sound for a brief moment.

Cosmos bossa comes in as the third track. Offering bossa nova rhythms that you can sway to embellished by an accordion and jamaican shouts. This is followed by the track Gavrilla Nebula which again features a completely different sort of vibe that leans towards free jazz.

Suffice to say, Aleksi has many influences and leans towards the jazzier and dubbier side of music and this shows in the album. The “Space lounge” is probably a good place to relax but it isn’t the sort of catchy pop album that stays in your mind. A lot of the tracks feature interesting elements but I have yet to find a standout track that is simply just great. For me, I will remember this album by that great sounding arp phrase in Nebulae Herb.

Other notable tracks of the album are:
07. O Tema De Viagem Especial
Bossa nova tune combined with the free spirited playing found in jazz.

10. True Dwelling Place
Probably the only ominous sounding track in the whole album.

11. Princess Melodiae
Starts off like some sorrowful harmonica piece that suddenly transitions into a groovy sounding theme song for a japanese anime. I sure didn’t see that one coming.

All in all, this is a good listen although the genres fly all over the place making it feel more like a compilation than an album.

Thanks to Lackluster for suggesting this album.
Netlabel: Monotonik

Note: I’ve rewrote some parts because I have been informed that Aleksi Virta is not the same guy as the Aleksi Virta that is in the metal band Imperanon. Sorry for the mistake.