In my opinion, up until this release, the best album by Paul Nagle was ‘Live Elements’. Far From Stars is Paul’s new group and they take the style
started on ‘Live Elements’ but develop it much further.
‘Proxima Centauri’ is a 50 CD limited edition. It was on sale at Paul’s recent Jodrell Bank performance and the few copies that were not sold at the
gig are being offered to you here on a first come first served basis. Far From Stars is made up of John Hickey (Synths), Matt Shepherd (Synths,
Flutes, Wind Synths), Andy Boland (Guitars) and Paul Nagle (Synths). FFS could really be the next big thing in British Synth Music as they have
something for everyone and combine all the elements in such a way as to not turn anyone off. Imagine Berlin School sequencers combined with
very strong melodies and superb textures provided by the guitar, flutes and wind synths. What's more, with four of them on stage they look great
and have enough hands between them to play everything live.
Anyway, enough about the band, on to the music. The first track was recorded live at their Alpha Centauri concert in Holland earlier this year. It is
split into five parts with a total running time of 37.30 mins. It starts with a beautiful piano lead line, the underlying synths slowly build and other lead
lines are brought in to replace the piano, no less powerful in their beauty. The music reaches down and grabs your soul. At eight minutes the
sequence and drum lines are brought in simultaneously and we go into warp factor eight. The drum track stays rather constant but the sequence
and lead lines shift, with the piano even making a re-appearance near the end. A new sequence heralds the second part of the track and the bass
and rhythm lines really start to kick. A blistering lead line then explodes over the top, warp factor 10. The best piece of music Paul has ever been
associated with?
On to part three, sequence and bass line with yet more superb melodies. Part four makes use of plucked strings and flute sounds creating a very
Eastern feel. Delicate shimmering sequences bubble along low in the mix at first but become more prominent towards the end. The final section
starts with a rather mad vocal sample and then the best sequences and themes so far are introduced before all hell breaks loose and everything
including the kitchen sink are thrown in. Flippin' eck! The second track on the album in merged into the end of the previous number and is a
special mix from Paul’s next album. The piece is called ‘Anachronist’. It starts very peacefully then a pin sharp sequence pops up. Backing
sequences build and build as things become extremely complex but more exiting with each passing minute. The mix of sounds is constantly
shifting and fifteen minutes has passed before you know it. If this is an indication of what Paul’s next album will be like I can’t wait.
The final track ‘The Dark’ is a special mix from John Hickey’s forthcoming album and contains all of FFS
except Paul Nagle. Instead violin and clarinet players are included. The initial image is one of mist swirling
over moorland, calm, relaxing and menacing. The first melody is provided by flute to a synth / string backing.
We get a cross between chamber music and an ancient dance but then electric guitar and drums enter and bring
us right back into the 90s. Things then become very ominous again. The mood is constantly shifting between
pure synths, predominantly string sounds and a fantastic hybrid of both. A warning, just when you think the
track is over it isn’t. As well as having an “interesting” sense of humour John obviously has one foot in the
world of classical music and the other in the world of EM. He is a fantastically talented composer and his music
should appeal to those who don’t just love all things electric. If this track appeared on the desk of the right
major label executive I am sure it would be massive. It would certainly appeal to a much wider audience than
EM. I wish him luck. (DL)
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