Norman Friedenberger Mind Odyssey

The album is subtitled ‘A musical journey to the innermost’ and as you would expect, for the most part this is a laid back relaxed affair. Melodic and gently rhythmic is certainly the order of the day on the opener ‘Dusk over Paradise but on the second track ‘Behind the Horizon’ we get much more urgency in both the drum and sequencer department, at times reminding me a little of Jean Michel Jarre, though not quite in that class and a little more melodic. Rhythmically the twenty minute title track is quite complex but as ever mind caressing rather than numbing. All pleasant enough but not really that attention grabbing, until the last five minutes when the sequence and rhythm really kick and make a superb finale. This section would make a superb single. Next comes an interlude called ‘Daydream’ taking us to ‘Two Virtual Adventures’ which unsurprisingly is a track of two halves. The first always sounds as if it is about to break into something really special but never quite makes it, the second is much more upbeat and does get into a groove, all very nice but...... ‘Mystic Thoughts’ and ‘Atmosfear’ are again both very relaxing and pleasant. This isn’t a bad album and fans of this style should enjoy it but my collection is already bursting with very ‘nice’ albums. (DL)

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