Carl Matthews Life Force Play: Lo-Fi   Mid-Fi   Hi-Fi   Download: Lo-Fi   Mid-Fi   Hi-Fi (Excerpt from track 'Mantras (Vibrational Equasion)')

A rather chaotic combination of crashing and growling sounds assault the senses at the beginning of the opener 'Agni Hotra (Fire Ritual)'. These abruptly finish to be replaced by ethereal vocals and soft tones- what a contrast! We then get rapid contemporary, digital sounding drums providing yet another juxtapositioning of styles- then its back to the ethereal vocals, then the drums etc etc- my goodness! It's certainly intriguing stuff. But do I like it? Not sure really. Maybe I'm not adventurous enough. 'Yantra (Talisman)' starts with swirling effects then a couple of infectious rhythms combine to good effect. From time to time little melodic motifs come and go mixing very well with the beats. This is a much easier track to get on with than the first but still full of inventiveness. 'Deva Loca (World of Immortals)' is a superb track, initially quite an atmospheric number mixing undulating drones with interesting sound effects. Lovely rhythms then come and go as do spellbinding ethereal vocals. Just before the third minute it's all change again, becoming quite melodic but with rapid vibrating pulses in the background- not an easy thing to describe actually as it's much more relaxing and tranquil than this makes it seem. 'Mantras (Vibrational Equasion)' is syncopated right from the off, the sort of rhythms that will get your whole body moving but as with many of the tracks here there is many a swap and change to very different passages, whether it be moody floating flute or stunningly beautiful piano sections (courtesy of Paul Nagle) each hits the spot perfectly. Actually the piano passage here is one of the highlights of the CD.

'Ahimsa (Non-violence)' again makes use of beautiful tranquil pads through which a squelchy rhythm emerges then some lovely slow dreamy melodies. Another drum line is added but this also skips along in an appealing lazy fashion. Ideal music for a hot summers day. A superb track. 'Jhasha Leya (Pisces-Leo)' begins with a repeated pulse, each note slowly decaying into the distance. We then get some more tranquil atmospherics before things take a very sudden and decidedly 'Eastern' turn with appropriate little melodic motif. We keep alternating between this motif and the atmospherics, the juxtapositioning of styles working very well. Again, it's all rather dreamy. More lovely ethereal vocals mix with a relaxed skipping rhythm on 'Prana (Life Force)'. There is also an excellent melodic acoustic guitar motif which comes in from time to time and hits the spot perfectly- wonderful stuff. 'Uttara (North)' has a rather melancholy feel to it as dark drones mix with choir effects. Actually for the first couple of minutes it's all rather spiritual but then an infectious groove starts up and the mood lightens considerably. When the beats depart however, sadness returns. It's another very inventive but also highly enjoyable track. 'Shad Baal (Strength)' is based around an excellent jaunty beat- another body mover.