Ian Boddy Developing Technologies

As soon as you see 45 tracks listed you know this is something different for Ian Boddy. Those familiar with the Shreeve Library CDs will know how these releases pan out. 15 full tracks are featured, all around the 3 minute mark. The tracks are then each presented in cut down packets of 1 minute and 30 seconds. So were in the world of "commercial" music here, music to accompany visuals and presentation. As such, the music is designed to supplement rather than be the focus. This can mean that the compositions tends be rather insipid and uninspiring. Happily this seems not to be the case here. Described as "an exploration into the world of technology, science and industry", the first thing to admire is the versatility of an artist who can produce an album like 'Continuum', then adapt to the completely different demands of a project such as this. It's difficult to believe this is the same artist. 'Continuum' was all about expanse and feel, here it's a case of precise composition and discipline. I'm not an Ian Boddy completist, but I think everything presented here is new and unreleased. Most of the pieces are mid/up tempo and feature pin sharp rhythmics and sequences, supplemented by varying degrees of ambience, melody and atmosphere depending on the effect being portrayed. It sounds as if each track has been composed under a microscope. Not one note is out of place, and the attention to detail is superb. Favourites include 'Transcape' (described on the sleeve as "confident and smooth") which delivers a stylish melody backed by some excellent sequencing, and 'Nitrogene' which repeats the successful formula. The slower pieces are also strong, with tracks like 'Earthrise' proving that without visuals these pieces really do stand up to scrutiny. Recommended. (GG)

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