Robert Scott Thompson Air Friction

As with the two other CDs I recently reviewed by RST we have both feet firmly planted in traditional Ambient territory. Gentle washes of synth and note droplets softly falling out of the air are the main ingredients on ‘The Moon and Certain Angels’. Its very delicate, like a mist where the slightest breeze could come and make it fade and vanish. The melody on ‘Pure Vision.....’ is played on plucked strings with only the faintest hint of any accompaniment. ‘Still Cloud Yet Changing’ is dark and rather mysterious with unearthly synth pads mingling with softly played flute, reminded me of walking through a forest at night. The title track is initially another dark mysterious number, the sound of spectres can just be heard on the edge of consciousness but then a lush but sad melody comes in, the most pronounced on the album and turns the darkness into a shade of gray. ‘Sky of Albion’ is a beautiful yet haunting track. contrasting with ‘The Western Way’ which is faintly rhythmic and almost joyful! The melodies on show on this track are just exquisite. ‘A Picture of Moments’ is subtly melodic with a slow sequence keeping the melody company and providing some structure.

‘Ensueno’ starts as if it is in outer space but the solitude is broken by a faint melody which appears and disappears as if it were a ghost. ‘The Shifting of Spheres’ is fairly similar to the last track though more menacing. The lead line is delicate but the overall feel is as if something immensely powerful is just round the corner and it would not be a terribly good idea to disturb it. The final track ‘Atmosphere’ is in fact the least atmospheric on the album. It is rather rhythmic compared to the other pieces and the melody is much more upfront. (DL)

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