Aeroc - R+B=?

Geoff White had been building a reputation for heady minimal techno until his debut full-length as Aeroc, Viscous Solid, revealed a particular genius for placing acoustic sounds in a decidedly digital context. While seven years removed from that release, Aeroc's R+B=? displays the same out-of-time qualities as it's predecessor. Melody is paramount on R+B=?'s 11 gentle instrumental pieces. Most feel as though they were written on acoustic guitar before White's tinkering production frayed the edges, amplified subtle resonances and teased counter rhythms out of the space between his strings but it's the simple, undeniable tunefulness and musicianship that makes R+B=? so memorable. Although White limits his source material, R+B=? can't truly be described as minimal, as there's a pervasive rich, earthy melodic coursing through the remarkably unified album.