Lotus Magazine was a pop cultural blip, a publication that catered to a niche of a subculture. Independently published from 1996 – 2002, Lotus served the West Coast's underground rave community. It was a free magazine, half electronica rag, half semi-spiritual/environmentalist youth outreach project. This online archive presents a sliver of the material published in the magazine during its six years of bi-monthly publication. Some of the content is still relevant, and some of it's just silly. All of it's very, very earnest. Enjoy! – PEACE ORCHESTRA, Peace Orchestra, Fall 1999
By Thomas Kelley
Peter Kruder of Kruder & Dorfmeister fame dishes out some fine downtempo fare with his new solo-project, Peace Orchestra. Jazzy grooves and lush harmonies characterize this album. A bit more spacious in its interior, when compared to other Kruder & Dorfmeister material, Peace Orchestra brings to mind the ever-changing nature of smoke. Floating and swimming, "The Man Part One" sets you adrift through currents and wisps of jazz. My favorite track on the album, "Meister Petz," plunges through deep analogue washes, string bass, shape-shifting horns, and chunky percussion. The melodies are delightful, languidly drawing you through the air, then halfway through, angelic vocals absolutely light your mind. The long piece "Double Drums" follows, skirting some chilled drum 'n' bass territory--still smoky, but a bit more jabbing--building up into a jazz jam. "Domination" is another strong ambient odyssey, moodier and more electronic. Tracks like "Who Am I" and "Marakesh" bring in more deep vibes, riding into the East. More moody than his other material, Kruder's Peace Orchestra evokes a more emotional and pensive side. If you're in need of a good, downtempo album, Peace Orchestra will do the trick, but don't expect the usual.
8/10