M Griffin & D Fulton
Imprint
 
CD / 7 tracks / 59.33 mins

If their last collaboration, The Most Distant Point Known, evoked images of sci-fi and deep space, this one does even more so. Whereas the last disc tended toward darker ambience this one, while still on the mellow side, has a little more activity. For instance, the coolest sound effects begin 'Please Identify.'

Both Griffin and Fulton are technical wizards, and the spatial separation here as it pans from left to right is excellent, giving it a great deal of depth. 'Biometric' has a similar feel of expansiveness. Swirling sweeping sounds whish and whoosh about. I envision robots, or the inner workings of a spaceship. Though 'Biometric' is quite abstract, beautiful dramatic synth strings appear for the last third of the 11-minute journey, giving it more of a retro feel. The title track comes next, full of buzzes and bleeps that again conjure up visuals of a science fiction film. An energetic sequence picks up the pace for just awhile, fading out into what could be alien night sounds.

Fulton's influence is particularly notable on 'Thermoptic Disguise,' which could easily pass for a Dweller At The Threshold track. 'Plastic and Flesh' may be my favourite, featuring cool bell tones, then organ almost like the krautrock days of old Ash Ra Tempel. The organ hangs around lazily until a crescendo appears almost out of nowhere. I found the overall effect of the five-minute piece unique, refreshing. 'Levitation Before Sunrise' has great textures, choirs, pulses, and a general sense of pent-up energy waiting to be unleashed, only gradually being allowed to escape. Consider Imprint for your next introspective outer space voyage. (PD)

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