Jim Kirkwood Foxhalt Marsh CDR EP / 2 Tracks / 35:10 mins Play Sample:   56K Dialup   Broadband Download Sample:   500K   1.5Mb (Excerpt from track(s) 'Black Dog Moor') Please go to the Store to buy this item.

When Jim composes a new album he always creates much more music than can be used on a single CD length project. Sometimes the music can be excellent but for some reason it doesn't fit easily amongst the other tracks chosen. It would be a shame for such music to remain unheard so it is for this reason that Jim has decided to release a series of EPs where such tracks can be heard. In this case the title track is one that was composed for 'Foxhalt Edge' but never ended up seeing the light of day. Mournful drones are contrasted by peaceful birdsong creating the perfect opening moments. This is so peaceful but also incredibly atmospheric. A slow deep melancholy flute and strange gurgling noises give a slightly darker edge. A mid paced sequence lopes forward accompanied by a moody lead line. A second sequence falls into formation with the first and a sighing wordless vocal hovers over it all like some lost soul. A cracking rhythm adds a little urgency and a new, slightly more strident lead carries things forward. Even though the track has gained more structure and a little more oomph as it has progressed it hasn't lost the tender melancholy that is present throughout. By the fourteen-minute mark we have descended back to floating atmospherics with more sounds of the dead still haunting the watery realm. 'Black Dog Moor' was composed for the 'Hecate' project but fits very well alongside the title track. It starts rather dreamily with half heard voices and angelic sighing. All is at peace. A slow sequence and flutey synth lead start up. A faster sequence falls into formation, morphing beautifully. Forceful synth flourishes really heighten the excitement and in response the sequences are cranked up to an even more urgent pace. Momentum picks up all the time like an avalanche careering down a mountain. We return to our dreams to finish. What a superb track! To think that if it wasn't for Jim's EP initiative we would never have heard it. What a waste that would have been! It also makes me wonder though just how much more material of this calibre is just sitting there in his archive. (DL)

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