Posted on 10/07/2008
I’d like to believe that electronic music is evolving. But usually, when I hear it, it either sounds like something I’ve heard a million times already, or it’s so bass heavy and droning, that after two minutes of “boom-boom-boom,” I’m annoyed to death. But the Pnuma Trio have definitely figured out a way to merge the booming bottom, with harmonic grooves, creating a seamless sound that even non-electronic heads can feel.

Pnuma Trio’s debut studio album, Character, is peppered with several different styles of mood setting music, ranging from songs like “Everynight,” a sultry and strangely sexy groove (think Transformers, making love), to “Off Balance,” which is an eerie drum and piano driven song sure to make you feel a little crazy. But in a good way.

“11:27,” a song featuring emcee Ced Hughes, (who shouts out okayplayer), as well as the final track, “Ending 10 Seconds,” featuring Raashan Ahmad from Crown City Rockers, proves that not only does Pnuma Trio create an amazing electronic experience, but they also make awesome hip-hop tracks. Hughes and Ahmad sound stellar over the Pnuma masterpieces, making hip-hop songs you can really dance to.

Honestly, I don’t really have anything negative to say about Pnuma Trio’s debut release, Character. I really enjoyed the album, beginning to end. If there was one complaint, it would only be that I would be interested to here Pnuma Trio do something outside of electronic, only because they are so musically adept. Nonetheless, Pnuma Trio’s, Character, is golden.

- Jason Reynolds