Elemental Lux Aeterna

The cover and title of this album immediately suggest floral grandiose EM in the Constance Demby vein. Look on the back though and the equipment list includes the likes of the ARP 2600 and ARP Sequencers. Could looks deceive?... As soon as the opener 'Tzolkin' bursts on the scene you're in no doubt of where this band is coming from. Vast layers of analogue sequencers burst forth from the speakers. Not a whimsical lead line in sight, it's all morphing textural pulsations in classic 70's TD mode. All change though for 'Lux Aeterna' with wide-eyed syncopations backed by thematic atmospherics. The delicate approach remains for the first 4 minutes of 'Rexa-Caculha' but then a strong sequence line emerges to produce another fascinating journey through analogue organics. 'Por Argento' has an industrial edge not untypical of some of NODE's work, but then it completely changes into a child-like dream sequence well characterised by the cover graphics. 'Le Charme' explores symphonic/choral territory, while 'Lapis Philosophorum' is a mesmeric collage of sequences and effects. 'The Samovar Song' does live up to initial expectations with a treacly arrangement of choral themes, but the skip button ushers in 'Sacred Site' resplendent with pulsating sequences which sound straight from Redshift. This album is a real surprise. It's a huge slice of 70's nostalgia which is rarely wide of the mark. For all you retro freaks this is certainly one to investigate. (GG)

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