Brainwork V (Melody & ambience)

Brainwork’s fifth release, this time a double to allow "the fun and challenge of playing longer songs". Uwe Saher’s studio has certainly acquired some new equipment, including Ikea’s "Billy" units according to the listing! Disc 1 is subtitled ‘Melody’ and I certainly wouldn’t argue with that. There are some extremely infectious tracks on show, primarily in sequenced uptempo mode. Tracks such as ‘Memories’ and ‘Flying Fishes’ have all the Brainwork hallmarks with tight sequences interplaying with percussion and synth themes. The quirky ‘Jamaican Holidays’ provides variety with its Caribbean lilt, as does the dancey ‘Spanish Fastfood’. Brainwork’s "extra track" this time is dedicated to Vangelis and it ends disc 1 in fine fashion with sequences and synth sweeps characteristic of the Greek maestro. Disc 2 provides the ‘Ambience’ in the title, opening with the 20 minute ‘Sonic Vortices’. The track contains fine sequences and percussion which undergo subtle variation throughout the track. For 13½ minutes the music is largely bereft of synth leads, however they do eventually appear which does dilute the ambient credentials somewhat. They supplement the music well though, especially at the 17 minute mark where the track undergoes a facelift and the synths here really are excellent. The trio of tracks which follow are all of similar parentage and do not disappoint. ‘Ambient’ it may be titled, but this disc is still very much in the EM camp. Uwe has certainly taken influences from traditional EM and the Ambient scene but this album is still firmly stamped with his own unmistakable style. The result is a triumph of modern synthesis. (GG)

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