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Reviews

Various Artists — Collection 1: Opening
(Databloem DBCD 001, 2002, CD)

by Phil Derby, Published 2002-09-01

Collection 1: Opening Cover art

This disc does what all great compilations do, it makes you hunger for more from each artist presented. A globally diverse cross-section of talent is assembled, beginning with one of my current faves, The Circular Ruins (a.k.a. Anthony Paul Kerby) from Canada. Mechanistic and yet organic, the sounds swirl and evolve in entertaining fashion. This track is largely devoid of normal rhythm, melody or other conventional musical structures, yet irresistibly attractive. More conventional sequencing does appear in the last few minutes of it, but it is hardly garden variety Berlin school. Mutagene from Japan moves into sparser territory, hitting truer ambient realms with a deliciously atmospheric drifter. Next up is Spheroid from Germany with a dark, melodramatic piece, “Imbedded Neptune.” Each track is about 15 minutes long, allowing for lots of sonic exploration. “Imbedded Neptune” is a good example of the fun twists and turns the music takes. The most accessible track is Australia’s kwoOk with “Kwookyworld,” an energetic sequencer piece, although there is still a laid back, chill-out feel to it, really mellowing out toward the end. Last but not least is “Encounter (In an Unexplored Nebula),” by The Civilized Electrons from Sweden. This is excellent pure space music, and will have you drifting pleasurably off into the ether to finish things off.

Filed under: Archives, Issue 25, 2002 releases

Related artist(s): Various Artists

 

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