Various Artists
Awakenings 2007 Vol 2.5
CDR / 7 tracks / 75.10 mins
Play Sample:   56K Dialup   Broadband
Download Sample:   500K   1.5Mb
(Excerpt from track(s) 'Subtle Circuitry (AWM)')

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Alpha Wave Movement's 'Subtle Circuitry' is a very fine opener combining lovely contemporary sounding ticking rhythm over a superb understated melodic lead shimmer. Another pulsating lead line comes to join the first and even though much of this track comes over as rather understated it is also deceptively complex and absorbing, drawing you in. It's the sort of track you can play time and time again without ever getting bored and is thus a wonderful way to get started. The end of this track is cross-faded into Architexture's 'Shores of Orion'. A very nice acoustic guitar type lead shines over some drifting whooshing backing. A repeated melodic motif creates a rather hypnotic focus as the track just continues on, providing a sedate soothing atmos.

The pace quickens a little for 'Picoseconds' by 4m33s. A rapid staccato sequence (a nice melodic one at that) bounds forward from the very first second. Other note droplets fall then echo like a gentle rain falling on a puddle. The sequence fades away leaving the droplets but soon other echoing sounds, almost like a train as if heard from far away, become the main feature. The initial sequence re-emerges as the track runs its duration. Phrozenlight's 'Starkraut' is well named as it is all rather 'stark' and dark, being a montage of windy and eerie sounds. Very much a piece of music in the truest ambient tradition as is Russell Storey's 'Carinae'. Quite a storm of electronic rumbles and whooshes is served up. A pulse, almost like a warning beacon, rings out then disappears. Things start to become calmer but still with an uneasy edge to proceedings. Rene van der Wouden's 'North Sea Ambient' on the other hand is a much warmer and lusher affair.

HyperEx Machina's 'Dead (JS mix)' is a track which will divide EM fans as it is basically a monologue about the inequalities of the planet set over melancholy synth backing (good guitar solo too). Must admit that the text really ain't bad at all but some people will just reject any vocals in their music out of hand, which in this case would be a real shame. (DL)

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