The Jeff Green Collection (6 Cassettes)

Rating:
Summary: Speculative Fiction at its Finest
Review: I first heard some of these works broadcast on our local radio station where they were originally produced. They immediately reached out, grabbed my attention, and I found myself immersed in new worlds of thought, and entertained like never before by an audio drama production. I really enjoyed the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series, but I found these works to be much richer in audio textures, to have a much higher production value, and to have stories at least as exciting. When I heard the airing of "The Tuning", the friend I was with that evening and I were left with our jaws hanging open -- blown away by what we had heard. She was a big fan of science fiction and fantasy, and she also said that it was some of the best she has ever encountered (written or otherwise). When I finally managed to get copies of all of the works (6 tapes for a total of 5.5 hours of material), I spend many satisfying evenings listening at home and in my car driving to and from work. The only problem I have is now that I have these tapes, is that I use them as the bar against which I judge all other audio science fiction and fantasy.

My favourites for being thought provoking speculative fiction are "The Tuning" and "She Dreams of Atlantis". In "The Tuning", Artemus Tamerlane is a teenager who is trying to figure out a way of getting his "net access" (direct brain interface into a global networks for information and entertainment) upgraded to allow higher levels of interactivity; but he soon becomes embroiled in a battle for control of his abilities and of the conciousness of the entire species. "She Dreams of Atlantis" explores real technological and ethical issues facing society today through the metaphor of the fate of Atlantis and its repeating in the implementing of a global energy distribution system.

As a final note, "Spaxter" has to be the most entertaining of the set. It features Spaxter, a cynical interplanetary gumshoe who saves the world... again! This fast paced cyberpunk adventure is a non-stop action-packed ride across time and space.

I highly recommend this tape set to anyone who enjoys science fiction or fantasy, or who wants to listen to something great in their car during their daily commute.