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Create Biospherical Imagery
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'Biospherical Energy' is the new album from Create, AKA Steve Humphries and is the follow up to his 'From Earth to Mars' album, which according to the notes states was recorded entirely on virtual/soft synths. However with a studio upgrade during 2004 he made the transition to hardware keyboards. Work started on the album way back in June 2004 and some of the music on offer here is represented as studio versions of live material dating from that period and indeed the first Create gig in November of that year.
The album itself features a decent blend of both analogue and digital equipment and is quite varied throughout, with the five tracks on offer ranging from three minutes to a whopping forty-six! It is in fact this epic piece that opens the set.
'Biospherical Imagery' starts off with a low string/drone sound over cosmic effects. A 'square' type lead then enters just after the first minute which is then followed by a slightly metallic sounding sequencer pattern. Further chord patterns are added before a string theme is introduced. Just after the six minute mark a rhythm pattern is introduced, closely followed by a new theme and a pleasant mix of sequencer patterns, creating a somewhat powerful sound field. An analogue lead then enters before the sequencers and percussion loop disappears right back to the standard drones that opened this piece. However it is not long before a bass sequencer pattern emerges over light percussion, the former becoming slightly resonant. Bass percussion elements take hold together with light string textures and further percussive elements. By the fifteen minute mark the piece is once again, back where it started with the dark string/drones section. Another percussion loop enters and another 'square' lead theme is introduced. A slightly off tempo sequencer pattern emerges adding slight obscurity to the proceedings while quite far back in the mix lies a decent percussion loop. The sequencer pattern pushes forward adding a new dynamic theme, which intensifies this particular section of the piece satisfactorily. At twenty three minutes it's back to the dark drones again and a minute later a cosmic theme is introduced with an array of underlying synth patterns and occasional effects. High string chords appear in the mix later and at thirty minutes it's back into cosmic effects and synth chord mode. In a slight change of direction obscure voice samples are added and a sequencer pattern emerges together with an effective high string theme. Deep cosmic effects help to expand this section and the sequencer part becomes more prominent. Another theme begins over a bass percussion loop and eventually new sequencer effects are added. The piece ends almost as it started with the metallic sounding sequencer pattern over washes of chords and effects.
'Endless Corridors' in complete contrast at just over five minutes is a minimalistic piece relying on low drones and effects. There is a high level of obscurity in this piece through the effects but this eventually leads into an atmospheric lead theme above high choral and string textures. Completely sequencer free.
'Signs of Life' appears via some decent high cosmic, panned chords. Bass effects are then added closely followed by a low drone. A theme is introduced with occasional white noise effects. The cosmic chords re-emerge later and at around five minutes a rather simplistic sequencer pattern is generated. This eventually becomes delayed over washes of effects building in intensity. Past the seven minute mark the sequencer pattern becomes more intricate and light percussion elements are added. At eleven minutes a metallic bass pattern begins and the piece eventually ends on washes of light cosmic effects and resonant chords.
'Mystery Voices' not surprisingly is a piece shrouded in mystery and features what sounds like a Melotron choir sample. Extra themes are introduced but the piece manages to remain stubborn not deviating in its mysterious structure.
The final track, 'The Day After' begins with a mid range cosmic drone. Before the first minute is out light percussive elements enter over synth chords. A string theme carries the piece forward and a more stable percussion loop takes hold, slightly off tempo. A theme is introduced at just over 3 minutes but the piece subsides slightly leaving just a drone and the main theme. The rhythm section returns at around four minutes over further synth chords and an analogue styled theme before finally coming to rest on a bed of effects.
Overall this is a fairly good album, with plenty going on in the mix throughout its duration. It's difficult to compare this artist's work with other musicians but I would recommend this album to those who prefer their music with a more cosmic orientation. (DC)
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