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Reviews

Theo Travis — Slow Life
(Ether Sound ESCD001, 2003, CD)

by Jeff Melton, Published 2003-08-01

Slow Life Cover art

Not since Paul Horn’s acclaimed recordings in the Taj Mahal has there been a solo flute album that has created as much peace of mind. There is something to be said for looping flutes repeatedly as it creates a serene hypnotic effect as tranquil as it is spacious. When compared to other peer’s work such as Didier Malherbe (on the introduction to “Flute Salad”), Theo has a keen grasp on ambient mood setting with the right amount of float and drift to interject. All of the tracks step into a hazy indefinite environment that has no discernable rhythmic base; it doesn’t need one per se as the project implies. Melodically, Travis has a firm grasp of deliberate intonations and sound swells created within the nine pieces he built during a day’s effort in the recording studio last year. Much of the album could be Jade Warrior outtakes for At Peace or Terry Oldfield’s less synthesizer-based offerings. The title track of the album is in fact a song on Travis’ other ambient project with Dave Sturt (ironically in the current Jade Warrior line-up) so a logical link is created between the two. This album constitutes one of the best soundscape artworks since Brian Eno’s classic Music for Airports as the relaxation element is high throughout. The album can be listened to in foreground or background for any desired effect that is not restricted by any artist’s implied notes. In summary, Slow Life offers an ethereal backdrop to any room where it plays offering both sleep and moments of reflection.

Filed under: New releases, Issue 27, 2003 releases

Related artist(s): Theo Travis

More info
http://theotravis.bandcamp.com/album/slow-life

 

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