Various Artists Collection 3 - Blending Play:   56K Dialup   Broadband   Download:   500K   1.5Mb (Excerpt from track 'Liduid Bridge / Ladder Logic of Creation')

Blending is the new compilation album from Netherlands label Databloem and is a very suitable introduction to the roster of recording artists.

The album starts with a piece by Waki, Norders whose album personally made little impact. The piece offered here though is perhaps the best and most varied selection from his album and is a suitable introduction to the rest of the music on offer throughout this album. It begins in synth pad territory and it is not long before a distorted sequencer pattern enters under an array of effects laden percussion loops. Further cosmic textures are added along with distorted effects and the hybrid percussion gathers momentum throughout the piece. In honesty there is no strong lead line or tune to be found here just an array of interesting melodic textures.

Next up we have a piece by Jason Corder (Steam Tunnels) and this kicks off with an effective soundscape and effects with somewhat sub-aquatic leanings. An obscure and menacing feel graces this near 6 minute track but it is not long before a bass sequence takes precedence. Further sonic enhancement, courtesy of a Rhodes styled theme all help to carry the piece in its mid- tempo stature.

Track 3 by Krill Minima (Die Reflection) is one of the longer pieces on offer and opens out with washes of sequencer effects and hybrid sonic textures. This music is quite minimal but interesting as it gathers an array of shimmering effects in its path. An organic lead line enters and the piece manages to retain a serene feel to its finale.

New Morning by Lingua Lustra enters with a mid-tempo sequencer pattern, weaving in and out of the mix with the combination of bell-like textures. A feeling of lightness fills this piece with its constant string chordal textures, adding necessary depth and direction. Furthermore a synth lead line enters and takes the music to its satisfactory conclusion.

Olaviva-Muerta by Mendigo begins with deep bass sound currents and effects. Add to this obscure water effects and you have quite a menacing if somewhat atmospheric piece. The track continues along the same path throughout its near 8 minute duration taking in further effects and bass textures.

Track 6, Methane on Mars by Lufth is another near 8 minute epic beginning under a wash of drone, distorted effects and adequate and a slightly offbeat percussion loop. Warped chords are then added confirming the music's travels into obscurity.

Neon Metropolis by Dreaming The Seed starts with a heavily modulated drone together with light percussion elements. A bass sequencer pattern enters over a sea of resonant chords. This happens to be about the most melodic of this compilation's tracks, however it still manages to maintain a level of obscurity which seems to be the albums' generic theme.

Bloomsday by MOC with its stream effects and cosmic layers takes the music to a new level of spatial serenity. Minimal effects dominate throughout and eventually an acoustic styled guitar lead enters the sound field over light chordal changes.

Danny Kreutzfeldt follows this piece with Hollow, the shortest track on the album, under a deep sounding low drone and ambient theme. A mid-tempo electro loop comes forth and coincides with various effects.

Svartling's, Afraid of Silence moves the set into slightly distorted, lighter drone territory. Hybrid organics take hold under a backdrop of light percussive elements in an effective manner. Further distorted effects appear together with melodic soundscapes and somewhere in the distance a bass sequence can be heard.

The final track by Liquid Bridge entitled Ladder Logic of Creation begins with a light mid-tempo sequence pattern which is very pleasing on the ear. This moves on into an electric piano type sequence and later on further lighter bass sequences are added. An effective pattern but there is no apparent tune to this piece and it remains minimal to its conclusion.