T-Bass UK The Infection of Time Play: Lo-Fi   Mid-Fi   Hi-Fi   Download: Lo-Fi   Mid-Fi   Hi-Fi (Excerpt from track 'Mariner')

CDR / 10 tracks / 51.47 mins

Re-released as a CDR, though such is the quality of the on-disc printing nowadays it's hard to tell. No back tray sleeve, but the front cover is beautiful and a variation on the original. Here's the original review penned when it was first released...

There are quite a few people getting fairly excited about this new release. Let's see why... Storm Front gets the album off to a flying start, and I mean flying. No sooner has a torrent of sequencers exploded onto the scene than the lead melody kicks into gear. A little time for altitude adjustment would have been preferable, but it's a well controlled and catchy motif which even the summary thrashing of a baked bean can in the background cannot detract from. Onto Tranquility Bass, and this is where things start to get seriously good. The opening refrains of this piece are a deeper shade of tangerine than much of TD's more recent offerings, and shows the potential in the style of music that they have been pursuing. Once the sequencers are unleashed and lead lines start flowing a classic slab of EM can be the only result. The title track opens with a wide eyed and optimistic motif which for a moment sounds perilously close to straying into muzak territory, but fortunately the rest of the track puts it into context and the closing refrains simply put a lustre on an already accomplished outing. The Mariner expertly changes the mood of the album to one of foreboding, with powerful sequences and regimental drums accompanying a brooding melody. Ozone Park returns to an uptempo and optimistic theme, the snatch of lead synth at the mid point being particularly impressive. Inferno is a short ambient interlude which may not see the light of day I'm told, but I've heard worse included on many CDs. Four Wheel Jive is again accomplished but perhaps a bit too similar to that which has gone before, however The Torch keeps the album well on track with an excellent melody tackled with some aplomb. The element of surprise is always a good tactic, and the laid back style of Network... complemented with soulful sax is a well judged departure which works superbly. Lovesong appropriately ends in uptempo fashion with another storming lead. This is an excellent debut album which Shreeve and modern TD fans will certainly find to their taste. Consistency is good throughout and some of the tracks are up there with the best. Like the cover as well! (GG)

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