Alpha Wave Movement & Jim Cole Bislama Play: Lo-Fi   Mid-Fi   Hi-Fi   Download: Lo-Fi   Mid-Fi   Hi-Fi (Excerpt from track 'Offering')

Compact Disc / 7 tracks / 64.32 mins

Greg Kyryluk, the man behind Alpha Wave Movement, is known for a variety of electronics, alternating between ambient atmospherics and upbeat sequencers, depending on how the musical mood strikes him. Jim Cole is known for a technique called harmonic singing, where his voice becomes a unique instrument, perfect for deep, reverberating ambience. These seemingly very different approaches to music come together in 'Bislama,' a mixture of ambient, world, and electronic music. The title track has thumping beats, smooth synthesizers, and Cole's voice wailing drones in the distance. It is ethereal and other-worldly sounding. The relaxed tribal tones and soft electronic textures meld into a singular musical theme and character. For those who prefer their ambience without vocals, they aren't intrusive at all. I have personal bias against too much chanting or vocals in my e-music, but I generally find that Jim's vocals enhance rather than detract.

Melody takes a backseat to interesting sound collages and rhythms, though some tracks, like 'Offering,' have little or no rhythm. This is a soothing environmental piece, with dripping water, relaxed, drawn-out synth passages, and a very organic feel. It manages to feel like space music and tribal ambient at the same time. 'Satari' has a very deep-space feel, including some more traditional Berlin school sequencing passages. 'Theidea' switches back to ambient drones, sounding a lot like earlier Michael Stearns' works. 'Sanguine Moon' is the most tribal piece, featuring gamelan samples. This one does get a shade heavy on the chants for me, but the rhythms are really good. I also really like the bells at the end of it. 'Waking the Divine' is actually a solo by Greg, an intricate piece with drum programming, ambient guitar, and other sounds. A slow, steady sequence makes it more in the classic retro mode, like 'Satari.' I can picture this as an outtake from Tangerine Dream's 'Le Parc' disc. This is probably my favourite track on the disc. 'Samui' has a Japanese flavour to bring this exotic fusion of musical elements and influences to a close. Recommended listening. (PD)

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