Vic Hennegan Desert God Play Sample:   56K Dialup   Broadband   Download Sample:   500K   1.5Mb (Excerpt from track(s) 'Gaya')

If you want some music to simply unwind and chill out to, this album would be perfect. The opener 'Gaya' begins with soft angelic ethereal pads. These fade away in the fourth minute as a tinkling dream like sequence takes over as the main focus. It conjured up the shimmering desert heat perfectly. Sighing melodic pads sooth the soul and make the whole piece even more relaxing, in a hypnotic sort of way. The title track is based around a lovely gentle tuneful sequence with little melodic note droplets adding subtle detail here and there. A slow gently loping sequence is then placed over the top. It's as if we are lazing on some sand dune watching a procession of camels pass by in the distance. 'Morning Star' has a rather abstract beginning with some sort of distorted chanting just on the edge of hearing. A slow tabla type rhythm starts up as does a beautiful violin (or similar) lead line. The whole pace is very relaxed though tuneful. The chanting returns to finish.

We cross fade into 'Weary Traveler'. A slow six note melodic loop is joined by a very sedate simple rhythm along with piano melody. It's another piece for watching the world go by but this time the image that came to my mind was sitting on a hill watching the activity of a small town below. The 'watching' theme continues through to 'Ocean Watch'. An eight note melodic sequence merges with the sound of waves breaking on the shore and even what could be insects making little chirping noises. The trouble for this reviewer is that the music is sooo relaxing that I had to wake myself up and start tracks again. But that's no good as I am so completely soothed by now that I can't be bothered to type so fall asleep again! OK, get a grip David! 'I Walk Alone' helps me a little in that the loop this time is much more rapid (though hardly ball breaking stuff!). The rhythm quickens still further and things become more intense. It isn't the best track on the album but the increased oomph at least gives much needed variety.