Rainbow Serpent CosmoVision (Reissue) Play Sample:   56K Dialup   Broadband   Download Sample:   500K   1.5Mb (Excerpt from track(s) 'Stardance') Please go to the Store to buy this item.

What we have here are selected tracks from their first concert in 1995. The running order is not as in the concert but the tracks are beautifully placed next to and float into each other. It comes over sounding much more like a studio album, its hard to believe that such complex music was actually played live. Its also hard to believe that it has remained unreleased for so long. Its straight into fast sequence territory with the opener 'Over the Edge'. The first melody is slow and drifting contrasting nicely with the urgent pace of the rest of the track. Things then quieten down nicely as another sequence develops. Melodic whooshes of sound add to the excitement still further as the sequences continue to blast forward.

Things quieten down just enough for us to drift into 'Velvet Earth'. Melodic floating pads set a tranquil mood. The rhythm and sequences are all very Schulzian but so much happens in the nine minute duration both with the pianoish lead line, sequences and high hat accompaniment that it is hard to pin it down to a particular period. The lead line is particularly impressive but really you can't fault anything about this track, never has nine minutes flown by so quickly. 'Destination Moon' is a lovely atmospheric number. Soft pads are dismissed by dark crashes of sound. We move into deep space and NASA samples can just be heard in the background. I'm no great fan of such samples but they are so faint here that they add to the atmosphere without really being noticed. Then a lovely slow bass sequence rumbles forwards creating a very ominous setting. Deep pads are then placed over the top as if some vast hand is enveloping everything. They then disappear and things become much lighter again. They return however and the track is snuffed out.

'Tranquility Base' takes over and the NASA samples can be heard again. Its all very cosmic, gently shimmering. Flutey synths abound. 'The Gate' immediately returns us to sequencer territory. One sequence is of the conventional bubbling variety then we get a more rhythmic one. The lead line is of the tubular bell type but wow what a fantastic melody! We continue straight into 'Fountains of Force' which builds slowly and is another number which sounds heavily inspired by Klaus Schulze, particularly in the rhythm programming. By the five minute mark all the sequences are in full flow. Its very hard to write as the music takes over my head, mesmerizing and hypnotizing. A laser sharp lead line then comes in and, well, just string five or six superlatives together of your own choice – it's awesome!

'Dreamtime' is a rather dark number, punctuated by strange animal noises. A slow beat starts up sounding rather funereal. At two minutes a sequence can be heard but it keeps within the disturbed sleep type feel of the rest of the track, adding a little structure rather than forcing things forward. 'Stardance' initially uses some female vocal effects (not singing) over a 'tinkling' sequence. They only last a few seconds but in this setting are very effective. A deeper sequence moves into position beside the first and the obvious comparison is again with KS, this time in his 'Body Love' period. This is another stunning track that both excites and mesmerizes at the same time. Some people are given just too much talent. It isn't fair! 'Departure' immediately takes over and now we bounce along on a rather jaunty sequence. Its like a cross between Jean Michel Jarre and Space (Magic Fly). Trying to keep your body still to this one is close to impossible. Its a very happy track which should leave a big smile on your face.