Intelligentsia The Other Side of the Screen CDR / 15 Tracks / 71:31 mins Please go to the Store to buy this item.

'Zonderland' kicks things off impressively with a wonderful harpsichord melody backed by swelling organ and triumphant lead line. It really has a very uplifting, even epic feel to it all. Incidentally you can also find this track on the album of the same name. Cracking, driving rhythms pick up the pace for '2013'. There is a really nice bass line in the second half of the track but over all I thought it had a rather 80s feel. 'Himalayan' is much moodier, a really nice lead line emerging out of tinkling atmospherics. This is then replaced by a flutey melody only to return again later. The whole track skips along nicely getting my feet moving in time to the beat, hands playing along to the solo. 'Venturer' is rhythmically similar to '2013' and again features good bass backing but has greater depth with more light and shade. 'Parthenon' is initially quite subtle with piano lead but it isn't long before relaxed rhythms enter. As with most of the tracks here however it is the melodies where the greatest strength lies. With 'Klock Work' the music surges, becoming quite symphonic and euphoric then subsides again to regroup before a more forceful rhythm takes things forward once more. There is a feel throughout of the ideal combination of synthetic and organic. 'Hong King Nights' gets into a real groove, mainly thanks to a mean bass line nicely contrasted by rather quirky leads which again take me back to the 80s in a rather synth pop way. 'Eclipso' is quite jaunty backed by a sort of squelchy sequence. Pleasant melodies, one a staccato piano type and another sighing wordless vocal work well together. 'No Options' is a real fun piece with a rather 'Magic Fly' feel about it, especially in the sequence department. Even though the next track is titled 'Wanderer' it is in fact 'Ludwig'. Hardly surprisingly it has a rather classical feel featuring multi sequences, a piano one providing the main base, a thoughtful lead line floating above it all. After a couple of minutes the sequence departs and a lovely bass melody floats almost in isolation. 'Olmedreca' starts with another lovely moody bass line. This is initially replaced by a deep sequence then a second tinkling one joins in whilst a mournful lead almost weeps above it all. The mood changes a little in the second half of the track as drums and more playful leads are deployed but the melancholy is not dispersed entirely. The next track is labelled as 'Ludwig', but it ain't. My first thought was that it could have been swapped over with 'Wanderer' but if that were the case this is a very different version of the track though there are some similarities in the sequence. Whatever it is called however it is a real belter with driving rhythms and exquisite sequences storming forward. My favourite track on the album. 'Renai Universe' calms things down again with brass lead hovering over a tinkling raindrop type sequence. 'The Other Side of the Sky' is another body mover, melodic bass stabs initially carrying things forward before being joined by a rapid sequence. Majestic pads make an entrance giving a lighter feel which is heightened further by an optimistic joyful lead. 'Farewell Oncemore' is a very tender way to finish with high register sequence providing the base to an almost lullaby type melody. Even though this is an enjoyable album a third of the tracks can also be found on 'Zonderland' but I am not sure if they are the same versions as I didn't have time to run them against each other. These albums might not be as 'polished' as the more recent 'Civilisations' or 'Federation' but they contain some nice tracks nevertheless. (DL)

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