Asana Enshrined

Take one freshly remixed highlight from ‘Shrine’, spice up with a brand new and previously unreleased piece, and round off with a slice of live brilliance from Jodrell Bank and the inevitable result can only be another Asana triumph. Dave Barker rides the bleeding edge of modern synthesis with such assurity that the absence of national and international dance floor success becomes an ever deepening mystery. The live piece ‘Children of the Earth’ contains an infectious heart which constantly toys with the mind upon each listen. When Dave reconstructed it for live duties at JB he emphasised a new but totally natural sequence riff and used familiarity to carry the melody allowing it to become more of a subliminal partner. In doing so he has developed a rhythmic platform which cajoles the mind to bridge the melodic gap so becoming an active participant in proceedings. It works astonishingly well. ‘Saviour’ has had the surgical studio treatment. Synthesis acts as a laser knife to cut through the soundstage, developing rhythmic canyons along which cruise silken thematics. The original samples have not escaped scrutinisation, and they offer a parallel plane on which to experience the full length of this piece. Taking centre stage is the new outing ‘Touch Beyond’. The beat is totally infectious and the cameo synth motifs are truly inspirational. Liberal use is again made of samples and to hear the precision with which they complement the music makes a Swiss watchmaker seem ham-fisted. Each time you listen to this track it can be approached from a totally different angle - each one as effective as the last. And as if all this wasn’t enough, Dave Barker even produced the magnificent sleeve - don’t you just hate the guy? File ‘Enshrined’ under “the best things come in small packages” section. Enjoy and treasure. (GG)

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.