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Audion Magazine No. 25 June 1993
This tape represents an excellent introduction to some of the more innovative and intriguing music currently being created in the synth/new-age/space-music genre. There are six pieces, ranging from 10 to 20 minutes in length, allowing the listener enough time to get "into" the music, most of which is of a very deep meditational or abstract persuasion.
Robert Rich's Live in Vancouver 11/88 features soporific drones, low key percussives and flute-like sounds; there's also a hint of Jon Hassell's asthmatic trumpet in there too. Evocative stuff.
Loren Nerell's Into The Underworld is a highly abstract piece with echoing gong sounds, ghostly electronic tones and all kinds of murky atmospheric detail.
Lightwave's Just Another Dream is very similar to Nerell's piece, but floats out on hallucinatory waves of sound that remind of Debussy's The Engulfed Cathedral. Magical.
Ole HØjer Hansen's Moonstruck is worth getting the tape for alone. A 20 minute journey into Schulze, Tangerine Dream realms that is every bit their equal. Hansen creates his music with great intelligence and control; nothing here is indulgent or directionless. Hansen is a name to watch for in the future
Steve & Linda Hillman's Before Dawn is, for me, the best thing on the tape. It sounds like a missing track from Tangerine Dream's classic Alpha Centauri album with its spacey organ chords, "dawn of creation" flute and drifting electronics. It quite takes the breath away with its sense of unfolding awe.
Steve Roach's Before The Void continues the mood with its floating keyboard tones. This is deeply relaxing music that will take the listener to where he/she will find final peace and tranquility.
I'd recommend this tape to anyone who has become jaded with the current music being produced by the so-called "master" of synth/space-music. It could be a revelation. (Oh yes, there's some nice artwork included too, in full colour.) - James Parker
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