Sayer 1st Encounter Play: Lo-Fi   Mid-Fi   Hi-Fi   Download: Lo-Fi   Mid-Fi   Hi-Fi (Excerpt from track 'Ether Movements')

'Desert' kicks things off in supreme form. One sequence starts up like a locomotive spewing steam as it goes. Another bass laden one is added increasing the power still further. A third enters giving the first hint of melody before excellent lead lines come in being both playful but with plenty of oomph.

This wonderful bubbling cauldron of pulsations subsides slightly from time to time as gorgeous mellotron sounds swell adding a little softness but at the same time making the majority powerhouse moments seem even more dynamic. In the fifth minute things take a decidedly moody twist with the introduction of a new melody and rhythm full of attitude. It's a fantastic track. Lovely thick cosmic pads fizz from the speakers at the beginning of 'Liberation'. This tranquil reverie doesn't last for long however, being broken by a wonderful early Jarre like bouncy sequence and playful rhythm. It's very infectious head nodding and foot taping stuff and again, melodically, very strong. A purposeful and slightly menacing melodic loop launches 'Perhaps', developing into a devastating lead line backed with a powerful driving rhythm. Things become even more exciting as the pace quickens and yet more melody is added.

There are subtle changes of mood, especially after the half way mark, a little tenderness softening the edge of the maelstrom, contrasting power with the pure joy of life. 'Ancient Dreams' has a rather menacing beginning out of which yet another fast, deep and wonderfully exciting sequence emerges. A drum line falls into formation and the turbo kicks in. If you want an album of tranquil float look elsewhere but if on the other hand you want music to get the heart racing then you should really have this CD in your collection. 'Precursor Legacy' has similarities to the previous number but if anything the sequences are even stronger. The mood is also slightly different, melodically being more reflective and melancholy than on the rest of the album but I still found my feet tapping and hands moving to the rhythm as much as before. In the third minute a bass beat is introduced low in the mix leaving any early 70s comparisons behind is favour of a more contemporary approach. The next two tracks are rather short. The first, 'To the Future', develops from almost symphonic beginnings to become a mid paced chugger whilst 'Aqua' picks up the pace further as a barrage of rapid sequences drive us forwards.