German synth duo. The band consists of Michael J.J. Allert and Wolfgang Rohdenburg. Akaba starts with "Festival of Light" - a modern piece with drum machine rhythms, some sequences, melodic pads and a piano melody. I suppose if you like contemporary Tangerine Dream, you may enjoy this. Some tasty melodic solos are added to the mix, making this track a nice fast-paced piece suitable for traveling, although a bit generic for my taste. The second part of the track I found a tad boring, with unimaginative (dare I say so) use of the fanfares and other similar brass sounds and nylon string guitar samples. The title track is next and we are immediately treated to ethnic percussion and Arabic melodies. Sounds fine to me, although terribly naive, especially that male voice that I could probably do without. In spite of the mentioned drawbacks, the track does manage to convey a sense of mysterious, incense-drenched Arabic night. "Dante's View" heralds its coming with atmospheric pads and other soundscapes. Soon enough a great tinkling sequence enters and another bass sequence joins it a few seconds later. This is a fine atmospheric and rhythmic sequence-full track that will be enjoyed by all lovers of the Berlin School sound with a modern twist. The trumpet-like lead sound I didn't like at first hearing but after listening closer I realized it fits in very well. Again, there's a lot to recommend to a modern Tangerine Dream lover. Some textures do remind me on those "Dream Mixes" tracks. "Occupational Disease" starts with an aggressive drone and mysterious pads. Unidentifiable percussive sounds can be heard as well as the strange sequences. Unfortunately this track is ruined by the voice which isn't bad; it just doesn't fit well with the rest of the music. The lyrics are ok. Another gripe would be the way too simple 4/4 Techno rhythm that just dominates and on this particular track doesn't sound very organic. Still, a nice try at a darker type of piece. "Flying Walls" comes next and it's all about rhythmic combination of floating pads and beepy lead sounds plus piano & harpsichord chords. The playing is somewhat sloppy but overall it's a good track, albeit it does drag on for too long with very little variation. "Always A Pleasure" has once again ethnic percussion rhythms and darkish pads. A nice and unique reflective World Music piece. The last track "The Dustscape Dance" suitably has dance rhythms and overall it's a nice, but not outstanding, track.