Ron Berry
Wastelands
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(Excerpt from track 'Eastwinds')
CDR / 4 tracks / 52.10 mins

The chiming of a gong gets 'Eastwinds' underway. As the reverberations fade into the distance nice thick analogue drones take over, occasionally punctuated by more metallic clangs. In the fourth minute the pace picks up as the track becomes more rhythmic and a slightly 'Oriental' sounding thanks to an excellent lead line.

In the seventh minute things become calmer again as we float on a carpet of lovely windy pads and metallic shimmers. The lead line then comes back being even more effective in this tranquil setting. Within the last four minutes the rhythm returns, being just a brooding rumble to start off with but then developing quite an oomph accompanied by yet another excellent lead. 'Spectre of the Ruin' appropriately begins with the sounds of a ghostly landscape late at night. Things become quite dramatic then the atmosphere changes completely with the introduction of a very moody organ lead line. The combination of sounds is stunning. The lead soon fades away however and we are back to swirling mists and more of the haunted moorland.

A slow pulse starts up, as do abrasive scraping noises over deep drones. We then get yet another twist as a lovely melodic loop comes in over slow tuneful pads. This piece keeps you guessing throughout its ten minute duration, every second a gem. The title track starts slowly, building the mood gradually but also very effectively, setting things up perfectly for the introduction of another excellent melodic loop. An equally effective lead line rings out over the top, moodiness and 'attitude' again being the order of the day. The seventh minute sees the existing elements departing as we are left with shimmering metallic drones. Four minutes later slow but purposeful rhythms come in along with more great moody melodies. Early 80s Tangerine Dream very much came to mind. This comparison becomes even more apt as the pace is picked up and develops into quite an infectious groove.

'The Deserted Tower' is a short track finishing things off with the most atmospheric few minutes on the album. It takes us to the very deepest regions of the cosmos, just the odd drone here, percussive effect there with plenty of space given for each sound to make the fullest impact. This is my favourite Ron Berry CD I have heard so far (even better that 'Osiris') and is thus a very good place to start if you are interested in exploring this artists work. (DL)

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