Ott/Plantrae/Aligning Minds

A sonic experimentalist at heart, Ott has dipped his hands in a variety of waters. He’s from the same school that spit out artists like Shpongle and Entheogenic -- electronic musicians who infuse their craft with hallucinogens and the consequences of broken-down spiritual boundaries. He’s got history, too; around the late 80s and early 90s, Ott immersed himself in London’s electronic scene and became entranced with “people who were unafraid to combine bass-heavy rhythm, abstract soundscape and timeless melody into a huge, ever-shifting sonic universe which reflected perfectly the spirit of hope and positivity which prevailed.” This year, he released Fairchildren, a sprawling trip through pastoral meadows and valleys. “16mm Summer Day” is multi-movement journey that distills Ott’s vibe very well. He calls his songs “sound pictures,” and there’s definitely something visual about his work. (Eric Sandy)