Rudy Adrian
Iridescence (Sequencer Sketches Vol 2)
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(Excerpt from track 'Our Favourite Robot')
Compact Disc / 7 tracks / 53.10 mins

Ethereal, almost flutey wordless sighs get "Rain Shadow (transparent mix)' underway. Its all very effective but also a rather misleading way to start an album which goes on to show that Rudy is now really beginning to 'feel' what is necessary to produce a first rate sequencer album. At around three minutes the first sequence enters, it is a rapid one with a great deal of depth- something to really get your teeth into. I just wish it could have gone on a little longer. The title track comes next. Breathy then rather metallic pads act as a backdrop to a gorgeous tinkling sequence which is underpinned by a bass one. The lead line is spot on with a distinctly 70s feel to it. The track just gets better and better and another sequence and lead line are chucked in. Things don't get out of control however instead maintaining a subtle beauty.

'Our Favourite Robot' begins with Tangerine Dreamish early to mid 70s atmospherics but these are quickly dispersed by a chugging sequence over which play relaxing melodic touches, providing detail rather than the main force of the track which is still the job of the swirling sequence. Again I wish it could have gone on longer. 'Song of the North- Kinetic Flow Revisited' is a re-working of the track 'Kinetic Flow' from the album of the same name and to these ears is far superior. After a relaxed melodic start we get twittering atmospherics and slightly Eastern sounding piano colour (very low in the mix). The sequence enters in the fifth minute and soon takes centre stage, pads swelling and swirling around it. It increases in intensity and complexity until at the eight minute mark it is really starting to rock, an electric guitar sounding lead line adding to the power. This would be great to listen to whilst driving far too fast. 'Luchtkastelen ('Castles in the Air)' makes use of suitably 'airy' atmospherics. Its all rather metallic sounding, as if the wind is blowing through old air conditioning pipes.

'Reflections on Blue' is again atmospheric but this time the pads are much deeper. The images created now are of being under the water. The main melody is very tranquil but also full of wonder, like watching some huge whale gently float past. At the three minute mark two sequences start up- one each end of the sonic spectrum as if a storm was disturbing the peaceful setting and this mood continues until the end of the track. 'A Postcard from Karnak' finishes the album off peacefully but with something of a dark edge to it. This is atmospheric music with attitude. (DL)

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