Ron Boots Current

Another superb album from Ron Boots. It is becoming a bit of a habit. The CD opens with a classic but subdued sequence over a delicate shimmering backing. The way the sequence shifts and adapts causes a melody all of its own. The first sequence dies away just to have another replace it with a melody that is just as beautiful if not more so than before. At around the six minute mark we take a momentary pause before we return to business as usual. Some people would classify this as retro but to me it also sounds very 90s. At the ten minute mark a base line heightens the tension and drums make their first appearance. It is almost as if we are on a train that had called in at a station then after leaving it entered the fastest piece of track and was now careering along at full speed. 'Ambiguity' starts gently with a half heard flute in the background. Very quickly a bass beat is introduced, a sequence weaves in and out and before you know it we have a Trance track but one that doesn't have to be at 100 miles an hour or 'in yer face' to have the required effect. The second time I listened to this I was on my third can of lager and well, hey man- absolutely amazing. 'Alignment' on the other hand calms things down a bit. Drone upon drone is used to create a sonic tapestry on top of which weave the most beautiful, slow and delicate melodies. Tinkling chimes add to the relaxation. This track just goes to show that beautiful music can be created without resorting to sugary New Age. 'Below Paradise' starts with a very short vocal statement. Yet another superb sequence gets under way and reacts effectively to the ever shifting background. At the half way mark a heavy no nonsense drum beat bursts its way to the front and from then on we have a fast paced cyclone of a track. I can just imagine this one live with a strobe flashing away through a curtain of dry ice. The fifth track 'Close Call' hinges on a simple repetitive theme which becomes rather hypnotic even though all that is going on around it is constantly shifting. This theme itself changes in form throughout the track but is always there. 'Reciprocal' makes use of the sound of rain and a thunder storm which is slowly getting closer. The synth drone backing is then interrupted by what sounds like bamboo percussion and the strings of a double base being plucked. These effects do have a slightly rhythmic quality but it is all rather disjointed. It rather reminded me of being asleep, being woken by the weather and for the rest of the night drifting in and out of sleep. The final track 'Smiles', as its title suggests is a very happy little piece that you could almost dance to, I think my Jodrell Bank lights would do all sorts of wonderful things to it. This piece might be a little too commercial for some and is a million miles away from the first track but then what is wrong with giving the album balance? (DL)

This page is part of a frame set. If you can't see the information strip to the left of the screen then click on the smd logo above.