Nightmares on Wax is the brainchild of George Evelyn, a producer / musician from Leeds, UK, who cut his teeth during the height of the “trip-hop” or “acid jazz” movement of the 1990′s. While he’s been releasing albums with Warp for the last couple of years, In A Space Out of Sound marks the first release on his own “Wax On” imprint. 

       From the start of the new LP, the sensual “Passion” suggests that this is an hour-long mellow mix of aural sex, but things change quickly. He dabbles in reggae-dub sounds on the back to back pair of tracks, “The Sweetest” and “Flip Ya Lid”, still invoking the same chilled-out vibes you might find at a rooftop party in 1997. His hip-hop roots definitely rear their head here, for better or for worse. The Showbiz inspired “Pudpots” is a repetitive road to nowhere, but the De La inspired “Damn”, which utilizes the same sample found on “Ego Trippin”, stays cool with breezy vocals from the Chyna B Gospel Choir (not at all what it sounds like). While the up-tempo tribal rhythms of “Deep Down” or “African Pirates” are appreciated, it’s the slow seduction of songs like “Me!” or “You Wish” which really accomplish their goal. He obviously excels best when sticking to his craft.

     In A Space Out Of Sound shows diversity for N.O.W. in terms of varying sounds and styles, but almost is too varied to create any real sense of being completely taken away by the music (i.e. “Endtroducing”). Worth a checking out, especially for instrumental enthusiasts, but the world won’t end if you let it pass you by.