Over an hour of relentless ambient trance funk recorded live! Germination is full to the brim with slow-rising grooves, majestic guitars, and spaced-out synthesizers that form this band's limitless sound. Prepare to initialize dance activities! Lotus, a Philadelphia-based quintet, has created a strong underground buzz and gained a dedicated fan base over the past few years. Their live debut release, Germination, showcases the band's talents right out of the gate with the opening three tracks. 'Umbilical Moonrise,' 'Flower Sermon' and 'Crescent' clock in at over thirty-five minutes, immediately giving the listener a taste of the various styles Lotus can produce in a live, exploratory setting. 'Umbilical Moonrise' is early evening, smooth jazz, with the beautiful interlocking play of guitar and synthesizer from Luck Miller and Mike Aempel. 'Flower Sermon' moves into the techno and house genres with a heavy dose of electronic percussion and loop samplers. The third track, 'Crescent,' shifts gears again to ambient electronica with hypnotic vibes you might find in a New York City dance club. Demonstrating their diverse influences even further, African and Latin rhythms shine through on the earth-toned 'Caywood.' Ultimately descending into the serenity of daybreak, 'Umbilical Moonset' completes the melodic journey, combining all of the band's creative energies in the unassuming gem of the album. - Glide Magazine.