Eric Seifert Aotearoa Play Sample:   56K Dialup   Broadband   Download Sample:   500K   1.5Mb (Excerpt from track(s) 'Haka (Wardance)')

Having had the pleasure of reviewing one of Eric's cds in the past, the 'softsynth' wizard has returned with an album that is definitely a progression and a worthy follow up, and he has produced an album which seems more dynamic and in places a touch more personal, not surprisingly as the inspiration behind it all was a trip to the 'Land of the Long White Cloud', or in other words, New Zealand.

This is a 7 track album that will appeal to anyone with an interest in decent quality EM and it echoes many of the top luminaries that have emerged in the field over the years. Intricate sequencer, sampling and solo work is showcased here to full effect.

The fantastic 'Waitomo' begins the set at just over 9 minutes, which indeed is the typical track length throughout this album. Things start off in real ambient territory with water droplet effects, closely followed by a low drone. After a decent slice of resonant chords a theme is introduced and then things shift up a gear with the first of many sequencer patterns emerging just before the 2 minute mark. The piece transposes and is eventually joined by light resonant percussive elements. A more steady rhythm loop is introduced closely followed by an E-Piano theme at midway through the piece. Further changes and a dose of subsidence is encountered at around 6 minutes but it is not long before it's all systems go once more, this time adding a decent synth solo over a further bass sequence. An extremely well structured piece that is definitely one of the highlights on this disc.

'Orakei Korako' again begins with the sound of water droplets, but heading off into slightly different territory white noise/wave effects are added. This is shortly followed by a didgeridoo drone and further washes of effects collide creating a somewhat effective atmospheric sound field. The inclusion of occasional voice samples and chanting helps add to the atmosphere. At around 3 minutes a high pitched sequencer pattern emerges over further white noise effects before a bass sequencer pattern joins in. A piano theme is introduced but at 8 minutes the piece changes direction slightly, showcasing a metallic orientated sequencer pattern over low piano stabs. Added chordal structures and percussion propel the piece to greater heights and through several shifts in transposition eventually nestles in a bed of white noise/wave effects.

Tracks 3 and 4, 'Aoteraroa South' & 'Aotearoa North', are essentially link pieces. Distant bird sounds kick things off here and a meditational low drone is introduced. Chords are then introduced creating a most serene plain of sound. Further effects and undercurrents help sustain the atmosphere created and it is not until about the 7 minute mark that a sequencer pattern emerges over a percussion loop. This piece gathers momentum as it blasts through into track 4, where sequencer patterns and resonant chords meet to full effect. A high pitched bass type theme is introduced later over further rhythm samples and effects. Subsiding for a while the piece soon gathers momentum for one last time eventually ending in white noise and sequencer patterns.

'Pounamo' another 9 minute plus piece, is the only non-sequencer based work on the album and concentrates solely on the atmosphere of the inspired surroundings. A simple piece to describe as it relies on meditational chords, waves of effects and a gentle theme, occasionally heading off into the realms of the mysterious.

A distant drum opens 'Haka' which remains dark and mysterious throughout. Eventually a sequencer pattern emerges over further sampled percussion. Obscure reversed voice samples are then added but it is not long before a choral theme is introduced, later evolving into a high bass type theme not dissimilar to that encountered on track 4. At around 2 minutes the momentum fades but a few seconds later it's back on track with a more prominent fast rhythm loop. A bass sequencer pattern takes hold over some light resonant chord elements and it is here that the high bass theme reappears. The piece fades at around 5 minutes over further washes of voice samples but 2 minutes later the piece picks up pace again. Voice samples, chants and a choral theme effectively concludes things.

'Te Moeka O Tuawe' is the final track on this excellent album and is a further showcase of the vocal sampling/chanting encountered on the previous track, albeit with the addition of an occasional voice loop thrown in for good measure. A low drone appears, far back in the mix and at just over the first minute is joined by a distant didgeridoo sample. Obscure, metallic and cosmic effects rendezvous at this point over yet more vocal sampling. At around 5 minutes a percussion loop enters over bell-type textures and another effective but high pitched sequencer pattern. A steady rhythm section is introduced over some thematic chords. Further themes are introduced at around 9 minutes eventually all washing away at around 11 minutes, the track finally laying to rest on the chord theme and bell textures.