Indra
Colosseum
CD / 3 tracks / 67.09 mins
Play Sample:   56K Dialup   Broadband
Download Sample:   500K   1.5Mb
(Excerpt from track(s) 'Colosseum')

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We begin with the curiously titled 'Passion Around'. Spaced out pads float from the speakers. Staccato notes provide detail but with no obvious melody. The atmospheres hinted at Klaus Schulze but when the sequence started up the comparison became even more obvious. It bubbles along in a rather understated way, all lush and tranquil. The sharp stabbing notes return but this time they form a more discernible melody, moodily rolling above the sequence. In the eighth minute all descends to shimmering atmospherics. The sequence emerges once more and a rather breathy lead line weaves a mysterious spell.

'Colosseum' is a live track and clocks in at over half an hour. It kicks off with a rapid bright melodic sequence that rapidly mutates this way and that. Another more bass laden sequence comes to join it and what a wonderful combination they make. A ticking percussion line is added, the sequence still changing direction from time to time. By the eighth minute I was thinking this is OK but I need a little more substance rather than just shifting between one sequencer pattern and the next. Things become a little moodier in the tenth minute. Crashing sound effects are heard low in the mix and the sequences start a slow fade to oblivion. Little tinkling percussion and piano then take things away from the Berlin School into a more Vangelis like section. All dissolves to gentle float for a short time. Drum flourishes add some detail and another sequence begins to form, solidifies and is joined by a more regular rhythm. Gradually things return to Schulzian territory but I would have preferred to hear a little more bite and direction instead of gradual meander until a minute before the track's conclusion and a reprise of the main sequence from earlier in the track.

'Deus Magnificent' has a good start in an atmospheric Schulze sort of way with an effective gentle rhythm which fits perfectly with the backing. Other little drum flourishes around the main rhythm create even more interest. It's all extremely moody stuff, ideal for closing your eyes to and letting your mind voyage where it will. In the tenth minute a delicate melody is brought in, hanging in the air, used sparingly but fitting the rather tranquil mood. In the thirteen minute all descends to float with just the slightest of percussive detail. So to sum up, there is some nice stuff here but the title track just didn't do enough to hold my interest. (DL)

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