Ken Martin Psychic Beacons Play Sample:   56K Dialup   Broadband   Download Sample:   500K   1.5Mb (Excerpt from track(s) 'On the Edge')

CDR / 5 tracks / 62.30 mins

Bountiful cosmic effects get the opener 'Follow The Light' to a rather moody but also very beautiful start. A sequence starts up, just on the edge of hearing. Bright metallic pads, with a hint of melody, make an entrance. The sequence slowly rises through the mix eventually settling in the middle as more whooshing effects and exciting sonic flashes fly this way and that. The sequence now seems to have gained a little extra oomph, fighting to become the major feature. The wonderful backing collage of sounds respond, some nice soft textures also joining the fray. Spooky wails and faint organ sounds give 'On the Edge' a very atmospheric and uneasy feel. Another sequence bubbles to the surface bouncing along quite nicely but as with the previous track it initially provides a supporting role, nestling in the middle of some lovely tuneful, almost euphoric pads. This is all rather subtle, lovely stuff.

Again though the sequence seems to gain in confidence and becomes the main, though sedate, feature. The mind is still brought back to the sonic support from time to time though as it is so gorgeously lush. 'Beings of Supernatural Presence' has an appropriately eerie start and really takes the mood down to one of ominous foreboding. In the tenth minute things do lighten slightly with the introduction of some soft drones but overall this is an extremely atmospheric piece. The title track follows on in similar fashion but with the mood being more melancholy than threatening. A delicate tinkling sequence comes in, and a really lovely one it is too. The pads swell and we are lifted up as if soaring on thermals taking us high up above the mountains. A lovely track but maybe it went on just a couple of minutes too long. 'Shadowlands' again deploys an excellent sequence which broods like a caged tiger, low in the mix. Again, this is incredibly moody stuff, the surrounding atmospherics playing the major role. What we have here is a rather subtle album that will not reward if just used as background music. It is best listened to on your own, probably in the dark so that your mind can properly concentrate on all the complex intricacies. (DL)

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