The CD is sub titled 'The Best of British Synthesiser Music' and with the following line up who could possibly disagree: AirSculpture, John Dyson, Andy Pickford, Ashok Prema, RMI, Redshift, T Bass UK, Paul Ward and David Wright. It was released in 1997 as a semi promotional item. It quickly became deleted and somewhat collectable because of otherwise unavailable tracks by AirSculpture, Andy Pickford and RMI. We start however with Paul Lawler's 'Dead Roads'. It is in a different style to his Arcane works but its still an excellent track. Moody right from the first moment, a gentle high register sequence and sympathetic rhythm combine with a lovely flute melody. Lead duties are later taken over by electric piano then the rhythm is cranked up. We are now into a delightful head nodding foot tapping groove reminding me of one of Tangerine Dream's better private music label tracks.
Next up is an extract from Redshift's 'Ether'. If you are into retro sequencer music and don't already have this CD (it is now deleted) you have missed one of the best CDs of this style ever. This seven and a half minute snippet will give you some idea as to what all the fuss was about and get you cursing your bad luck for not discovering it earlier. Ash Prema's 'Dancing Dust' is simply beautiful, delicate plucked strings initially provide the main melody but then a brace of tuneful sequences come in. Tron samples and a piano lead line make an already excellent track even better. We then get 'Sygyzy' by David Wright. A melodic loop combines with vocal samples. It becomes lightly syncopated in a very pleasant dreamy sort of way. More of a bite is introduced nearer the end with some excellent euphoric electric guitar. T Bass UK give us a live version of 'Nemesis'. A lovely slow melody / rhythm combination wafts from the speakers. Another very moody lead line comes in, the pace quickens slightly and sax detail is added taking us to the end. Now for the first of the collectables, 'Krell Metal' by AirSculpture, the longest track on the CD.
It has a very atmospheric beginning which wouldn't have been out of place on 'Europa'. In the second minute a slow throbbing bass sequence starts up . A much more rapid one can just be heard in the background which gradually gets louder until it becomes the main focus. A mean lead line cries out in the middle of the mix, even more pulsations are added, the overall effect giving the track a sort of angry snarl. '10175' by Paul Ward I also think is otherwise unavailable but I'm not certain. It's a very infectious body moving number having an enjoyable quirky quality to it that just made me want to smile. Now collectable number two, RMI's 'Pyramid'. Its almost as long as the AirSculpture track but unlike that one it shows the band at their darkest and most abstract throughout. The sounds chosen are wonderful, there is something out there and you wouldn't want to invite it to dinner. Evil malevolence just oozes through the ether.
Andy Pickford fans might buy this set just for the next track '4QNRX' as it is another one you won't find elsewhere. It's something of a stormer. A rapid melodic sequence combines with an insistent rhythm as we hurtle forwards. More rhythms are added and the excitement is increased still further. An Eastern melody provided the lead and it hits the spot perfectly. Brilliant! John Dyson finishes things off with the short, gentle 'Nazarene'. As far as I know these are the last few copies of this CD in existence so if you don't already own it now would be a good time to snap it up. (DL)