Skin Mechanix Fallen Angel Play Sample:   56K Dialup   Broadband   Download Sample:   500K   1.5Mb (Excerpt from track(s) 'The Journey Home')

It states on the artwork that this is a limited edition of just 50 copies so I suspect that when I have sold out of my small supply I will not be able to get any more. Three of the tracks are new studio numbers whilst the rest were recorded at the Awakenings concert in February 2005, only three of these however can be found on 'The Secret Life of Angels' and even these are quite heavily reworked.

We begin with the title track, the first new studio recording. Soothing cosmic pads float with tinkling effects. It is all so tranquil- even haunting. A sequence does start up but it is restrained, adding extra interest but without destroying the wonderful atmos already created.

The storming 'Dimension Jump' is next. The sequences and Arcish rhythm burst into life along with a bass beat. As with the studio version the foot is full down on the accelerator and its impossible to keep the body still but the live setting gives it more of a fun feel the leads, if anything, having greater bite here than on the original. 'Waving at Mono' dates from at least as early as 2002 but doesn't appear on '…Secret Life…' though it would have been right at home on the album. It comes complete with hissing steam and the lead line is very T Bass UK - an excellent combination. The bass is heavier here than on the other version I have heard and overall it has much greater oomph! The actual track 'The Secret Life of Angels' quietens things down a little. It begins with extremely thick dark cosmic pads. We then get some beautifully played melancholy piano, if anything even moodier than the original. The delicate backing adds to the atmos wonderfully.

Shuffling rhythms and a deep bass sequence emerge out of more thick pads on 'A Chromium Dark'. A second higher register sequence bounces over the first and then enters a lovely Mellotron sound. 'Berlin School' I hear you think but it sounds much less so and more contemporary in this setting. Things get even better as steam-laden rhythms come in. To me this is one of the best tracks on this limited edition- an excellent version of an already very good track. The last live number is the initially rather delicate 'Before we Forget' and I must admit that I actually had forgotten about this track completely and still can't place where is has previously appeared. Yet it is an exquisite track with stunningly beautiful melody full of joy and melancholy at the same time. During the second half of the track the rhythm becomes heavier and the lead line more searing but still returns to the initial tender melody to finish.