Michael Neil The Constellations (Download CDR) 13 Tracks / 56.09 mins Play Sample:   56K Dialup   Broadband Download Sample:   500K   1.5Mb (Excerpt from track(s) 'Bootes') Please go to the Store to buy this item.

This album was recorded in 2001 and as the title suggests is a journey through the night sky. Michael chooses 'Ursa Major' as a starting point. Soft metallic tones shimmer in the air, fading into the distance, shifting over each other creating the subtlest of melodies as they do so. 'Draco & Hydra' is much more dramatic, rapid sawing string runs setting a pace over contrasting lush choral pads. Things then take a much darker turn as rumbling and breezy effects combine together coming in surges. String runs fizzing with pure energy dance above turbulent cosmic winds. 'Cassiopeia & Cepheus' is initially all rather mysterious. A repeated melodic motif enters, like the steady loping walk of some divine being. 'Andromeda' is all rather subtle, gentle textures gradually mixing with wordless vocal pads low in the mix- heavenly. 'Perseus' takes us to much darker realms where cunning little melodies drip like a soft rain off spiders webs.

'Bootes' is another where the melodies are incredible subtle nestling amongst the most luscious combinations of sounds. 'Corona Borealis' is a lovely track shimmering with bright little note runs and undulating high register tones. 'Cygnus, Aquila & Lyra' is back to deep space atmospherics as tinkling metallics mix with silken sonic colouring. 'Hercules' was not what I expected given its name. Instead of oozing power we actually get one of the most blissful tracks on the album and given the very tranquil nature of the album anyway that is saying something. 'Auriga' is quite a complex track mixing all sorts of bleeps, twitters and percussion. In some ways it's rather chaotic but somehow a kind of order materialises out of it all. 'Pegasus' is the most structured number so far with a gorgeous delicate little melody taking centre stage. 'Cetus' features rapid bubbling runs of notes quite low in the mix over which slow silvery tones glide and sighing pads breath. Absolutely exquisite. 'Orion' takes us back to the dark spooky stuff, shimmering note cascades adding a touch of detail.