Alpha Seven Great Lift Journeys of Norwich

‘Great Lift Journeys of Norwich...’ is such an uninspiring title that it almost makes you want to listen to this just to satisfy curiosity. The basis of the music seems to be “SOFA”, an “ambient and easy listening club experience started in 1994 at The Waterfront, Norwich”. In other words, “chill out” music and as such this album presents a prime selection of cuts to sooth the mind and body. ‘Elizabeth Fry Building, Norwich’ opens with a 23 second recording of the lift arriving at the basement. ‘The Home Service’ follows and its her that this album starts to show its true credentials. This is a laid back collection of latent bass pulsations backing a surprisingly accomplished series of motifs and themes. Thoughts of ‘Alpha Wave Movement’ cannot be avoided, or even ‘Spyra’ in more reflective mood. ‘She Scares Me’ ups the tempo slightly, but again bass is dominant as well as a William Orbit style sequence line which brings to mind ‘Water From A Vine Leaf’. ‘Gorgeous’ features a very familiar rising/falling sequence, and indeed I found myself wracking my brains on many of the tracks trying to think of where I’d heard various elements before. Sax and flute then supplement the sound very effectively. ‘La La La’ is a well judged ambient drifter, while ‘Like a Phased Thing’ reminds me of Patrick O’Hearn with reflective themes and a laid back rhythm. ‘Alpha Seven’ builds anticipation well with some more infectious themes. I kept hoping it would break into a heavy groove but it never quite makes it - good all the same. There are so many more tracks of note on this album, and I haven’t even mentioned the two part dedication to Debenhams in Norwich! Suffice to say that this is a definite grower and modern/ambient fans should give this a try. (GG)

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