Off the Sky Gently Down the Stream Play Sample:   56K Dialup   Broadband   Download Sample:   500K   1.5Mb (Excerpt from track(s) 'Red Tides')

Off the Sky is Jason Corder, he records on the respected contemporary ambient label Databloem. He has an aversion to capital letters, but what of the music?

'adagio a deux' opens proceedings with a gently pulsing organ pad. A subtle and gentle beat develops, along with some synth swells and unusual effects. A disembodied voice (not singing) adds a real human warmth. Symphonic pads add to the harmonic content. It's all very melodic and hypnotic – a good opening. A 'chilly' digital pad, laid-back groove and gentle arpeggios open 'down the stream'. Snatches of a very evocative melody come and go - this is a very cool track indeed – it had me nodding my head gently in the ambient-fashion! Bird-song and organ suggest a lazy summer afternoon, a faint female voice chants, 'Gregorian style', in the background - 'agonic drift' states it's very mellow intentions. And ends suddenly after a mere 2.09 minutes!

'low tide' has a faintly jazzy-feel, with electric piano noodlings and a mellow guitar-like melody. Again, a beautifully understated rhythm underpins the whole track. Unlike many of Databloem's recent releases this CD avoids the temptation to challenge – melody and relaxation seem to be the goals instead. 'channel movement' is the most rhythmic number of the set so far - although it's a long way from Air Sculpture in full flight! It's also the most experimental so far, with many isolated sounds creating a very beat-orientated collage. 'floating point' is a very melancholy piece – reminding me greatly of Japan's 'Ghosts' from the 80's. It has symphonic leanings, but its foundations are a slowly pulsing rhythm and highly descriptive synth effects. It's rather beautiful, and the highlight track for me.

'ahurani' is another slow-burning atmospheric number, with an odd beat and the sound of quiet breathing forming a very hypnotic rhythm. Various synth pads and notes weave around this unusual backing – it's very inventive and effective. As the track progresses acoustic percussion and a female vocal enter the mix. Again the voice is chant-like, no words are sung. Electric piano and shimmering sounds herald 'gyre of time'. Soon a scratchy rhythm is deployed and the track is allowed to run a vaguely 'loung-lizardy' course! This sounded like to type of music you tend to hear in trendy design/garden shows on TV. It's well done but a little formulaic I felt.

'red tides' is a more beat-driven track, stylistically it could be an out-take from Boddy's 'Tryptych' collaboration. The programming is subtle and effective, the melodic content superb. A standout track. 'lite raining' is a short mood piece full of beautiful sound design – it perfectly illustrates the attention to detail Corder so obviously takes pride in. Organ and growling drones open 'under current'. A fractured beat adds structure and a plaintive melody is picked out on a processed electric piano (I think?). Fuzzy analogue sounds suggest a by-gone era of EM, a reference to Corder's influences perhaps? Whatever, this is an excellent track. 'ebb and flow' opens in a very abstract and descriptive fashion with odd blips and bloops and swelling pads. Gradually, structure comes in the shape of a subtle beat.