Bekki Williams Elysian Fields

After fighting off the dog, who has a penchant for shredding jiffy bags as they drop through the letterbox, this eagerly awaited debut CD was straight onto the player. The opening two tracks were the reason for my eagerness, being both featured on the '1995AD' CD. 'Megaera' is very upbeat and melodic and has shades of a more modern style Tangerine Dream. 'Elysian Fields Part 1' is a classically based rich and powerful piece of music. Onto the previously unheard material, and immediately we are presented with style that a certain other EM artist from Derby specialises in - Andy Pickford. 'Charon' could easily be taken from 'Terraformer' with its Pickford-style sequencing overlaid with heavenly voices. 'Moon of Artemis' features more AP references with heavy drum patterns and sequencing and again a slightly classical mood. 'Hera' slows things down with a piano solo which develops into a steady synth track, returning to the piano to close. 'Secrets of the Labyrinth' is a track which needs playing many times to pick out everything. Starting with spacey synth washes, the sequences then come in backed by guitar effects. Sequences then dominate before more synth takes over. 'Icarus' has another Pickford-style intro before developing into a really attractive foot-tapper. 'In the Arms of Morpheus' slows things down again, a powerful rhythmic outing with flutey synth and sax sections. 'A Glance from Medusa' needs the volume turned up to fully appreciate it. A real "stormer" of a track with Pickford style sequencing bursting from the speakers. 'Elysian Fields Part 2' closes the album, and actually reminds me more of Robert Fox from the 'Asfafa' / 'Fire and the Rose' days. It features rich orchestral sounds with strong classical leanings, concluding with a return to the theme of 'Part 1' on piano. This CD is a superb debut. Many of you will wonder at times "could this be one Andy Pickford in disguise?" It is certainly as good as his work, and leaves you eagerly waiting for her live appearances and future albums. It's great to hear true EM from a female in what has previously been a male dominated area. If this is anything to go by, let's have more! (Steve Smith)

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