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This is the first time I've heard any of Gilles Rossire's music &, as a big fan of instrumental EM, I'm definately impressed. The 10 tracks here contain the right balance of melodics, atmospherics & abstract sounds to make for an intriguing but always accessable release. In many ways much of these 10 tracks hark back to the ambient techno sound of the early/mid 90s with a mood that is simultaneously spacey & lively to the extent that anyone who affectionately remembers the likes of Eat Static, Timeshard & the Megadog events with affection are sure to feel a few pangs of nostalgia here. Even the story that the titles hint at, that of a journey into space (not exactly original but you can't have it all, I guess!) hark back to the past decade, although those silver, slitty-eyed aliens that were so 'in' at the time are thankfully absent here! In fact, the cover makes for an excellent first impression, mirroring the music's initially earthbound mood, with the more abstract elements mixing with the techo/electronica flavoured rhythms perfectly on such early tracks as the lively opener "Synchro 4 All" & "High Adventure", which boasts some very Tangerine Dream-like sequencing & fine melodic work making for a more accessable piece while the deeply resonant beats of "Grand Ilusion" work well with the Jarre-like melodic & chordal touches. As the album progresses, though, the mood becomes increasingly spacey & atmospheric & it's here that the old Megadog similarities come to the fore although by keeping things concise & tight he avoids the over-indulgence that has marred so much ambient techno in the past. This works well on the punchy "X Fleet", the upbeat "Departure" & the techno-flavoured penultimate track "Mach III" which, itself, contrasts sharply with the preceeding "Boarding Pass". Fans of what has long been called 'Picture Music' are sure to take this short but enthrallingly serene & atmospheric interlude to their cosmic hearts in a big way as it's so evocative that you'll surely believe you're flating in space yourself! The album ends on another high note in the form of the slow & graceful closer "My Neighbour Hayao" where more superb melodics set a nicely reflective note as this incredibly journey comes to an end. |
