Jim Kirkwood We are Nightingales CDR / 3 Tracks / 62.39 mins Play Sample:   56K Dialup   Broadband Download Sample:   500K   1.5Mb (Excerpt from track(s) 'Touching the Arc')

Note: This is a Download CDR album i.e. you can either purchase it as a CDR from here, or you can purchase it for less as a download directly from the MusicZeit download platform.

A really deep bass drone gets 'Touching the Arc' off to a rumbling start. Softer sounds sigh over the top but then more ominous metallic effects darken the mood. A subtle Arabic sounding melody drifts through the air. A sudden crash fades away as a slow sequence starts to form in its decay. The initial melody vanishes and shortly after a rapid second sequence picks up the pace. It seemed powerful enough initially but then suddenly shifts up a further gear and we are soon hurtling along- this is first-rate stuff. The initial sequence morphs and things become increasingly complex as the unyielding wall of pulsations blast their devastating path. Things subside to brooding atmospherics in the fourteen minute but there is still loads going on, including sounds as if someone is moving heavy objects and drones of a faintly vocal nature. We now get sampled text about various things including unsavoury activities in the dark; the Da Vinci Code and Agnus Dei. A twangy melodic bass line materialises and a fresh splashing sequence weaves around it creating a lovely subtle head-nodding groove, fresh lead lines really hitting the spot. Things descend to atmospherics once more through which a slow rhythm, new lead and gentle sequence create a peaceful mood. This is shattered as a new sequence blasts forward taking us almost to the end. Heavily processed metallic clangs with a very long decay provide a curious starts to 'The Illusion of the World'. A quirky melody emphasises the rather unusual opening. It all seems to come into context and make more sense when the sequences arrive however. Some nice string pads add a little softness. 'Speaking in Tongues' is more standard Kirkwood material as a slow moody double bass refrain drifts over an eerie backing. Peaceful Gregorian chants waft through the air. Just when I was completely relaxed in comes a crashing stabbing lead which is juxtapositioned masterfully by much softer pads and melodies. Exquisite stuff. In the fifth minute all is change as rhythm departs to be replaced by a truly awesome sequence spewing notes at one hundred miles an hour, accompanied by a laser sharp lead- a combination that has Jim's classic signature all over it. The excitement builds as more devastating lead flourishes are let fly. There is still light and shade here though as the various elements come and go, sometimes stripping down to relative calm and sometimes all surging at once. A particularly awesome lead line enters in the last few minutes. What a track! What a way to finish! (DL)

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