Remote Spaces Spirals Play Sample:   56K Dialup   Broadband   Download Sample:   500K   1.5Mb (Excerpt from track(s) 'Spirals')

Warren reviewed this one in magazine 106 and was not too impressed. I however liked it so here you are, a second opinion. We start with the title track. A lovely slow melodic sequence cuts through insectile swamp sounds. A deep bass pulse gives proceedings extra bite. Lovely breathy tuneful pads provide just the right backing underneath, becoming quite mournful as we progress. Drums are not a major feature, coming in flourishes but used sparingly like this they are rather effective. More excellent melodic content is added as a lovely little tinkling motif comes and goes. We finish with a heartfelt piano solo. I thought this was a rather beautiful track.

'Dreams' gets underway with a vast drum sound, almost like an explosion actually. This is repeated and left to decay into the distance. A subtle little tuneful lead line starts to form underneath juxtaposing the powerful surges wonderfully. Another lead line comes in making things seem relaxed, as if sleeping on a warm but deserted beach. There is, however, also a slight uneasiness about it. Remote Spaces use 'space' really well. That is they do not over clutter the soundstage. Each element is given room to be heard thus imparting the full, in this case, moody effect. It is a technique I have mentioned in the past and is one I like very much. It could also have been something that was not to Warren's taste however- one of the wonderful thing about music. 'Golden Cities' begins with a steady rhythm to which a phased lead line and further percussion are added. The melodies are rather subtle but exquisite. Each element develops, becoming more prominent as the track progresses but without ruining the lovely delicate nature of the piece.

'Fragment Number 2' begins with angelic vocal type pads embroided by dreamy percussion and plucked strings. A lonesome silken lead takes us back to that deserted beach already visited on the second track. Yet another beautiful piece of music. 'Miracle' uses sounds as if from creatures living in the deepest part of an ocean as a base around which a sequence / loop does its syncopated thing. Melodic chords are laid down, as are little sighing sounds which add a lovely finishing touch. More rhythm and brilliant lead lines are brought into play and we really start to motor. This is a superb tuneful but also infectious body mover. 'Stars' is initially another subtle number with touches of percussion and piano mixing with electronic effects. These three elements gradually become more dramatic and exciting but also rather abstract and even experimental. Most 'experimental' music doesn't really light my candle but I found this curious mixture of sounds fascinating. By the fourth minute things had calmed down somewhat and we now float on soft pads with little twittering sounds fizzing over the top. Yet another lovely melody is introduced and we now drift along serenely as if snoozing in a boat on some gentle sun kissed lake.

Should you buy this album? Well, if your tastes are similar to mine, I would say most certainly yes (despite the shortish running time!). If on the other hand you are more tuned into Warren's aesthetics, obviously not! (DL)

Second Opinion

I tried to research Remote Spaces by logging onto their website, but it didn't work - so no background I'm afraid. The CDR is on the Syngate label though, which suggested retro leanings to me.

Strange ticks and solar flare sounds open 'Spirals'. A very retro, mid tempo, sequence builds by the one minute mark. Hi-hats and analogue bass stabs add to the rhythm. A warm analogue string pad is added and the classic ingredients are in place! Melodic detail comes from a high register, woodwind-type synth voice. The track really reminds me of John Carpenter's film soundtrack work - having quite a raw and spartan feel. We leave the track with stellar synth effects and solo acoustic guitar - what else? Foreboding bass stabs and disembodied effects muster quite an atmosphere for the opening of 'Dreams'. A marimba-like melody lightens the mood a little after 2 minutes or so. Things become darker again around the 6 minute mark, with the entrance of a sax-like voice and darker synth effect work. The marimba-like melody returns for the close of the track. It's a very evocative and melancholy track.

'Golden Cities' opens with a throbbing bass drum and shimmering analogue pads. A squelchy, minimal, analogue melody adds detail before stately electronic percussion enters the mix. A second, heavily delayed high register melody adds to the syncopation of the track. Everything 'works' but I'm just not engaged by it. To my ears it sounds like a promising demo that needed more development.

Choirs and symphonic pads take us into 'Fragment No.2'. A rather nice bass line snakes beneath the mix and various percussive voices create a mellow groove. A 'tron melody and squelchy bass swell suggest our Teutonic EM heroes. We're back in 79-81 I'd say - a nice place to be, but I've been there before! 'Miracle' opens in the midst of a gorgeous analogue soup! A loping mid register sequence and ticking hi-hats crawl out of the morass. A second, more rapid sequence builds alongside a very eighties-sounding brassy pad. The drums become more strident and we get some very digital sounding synth touches (vocal oohs/ahs and wind instruments especially). I'd say we're in 'Poland' territory here. This one is a real body- mover, but again I'm just not that involved in it.

The set closes with 'Stars'. Synth effects, cymbal crashes and grand piano forge a dramatic opening. Symphonic strings add weight by the four minute mark. A Xylophone-like voice picks out a child-like melody, this just doesn't work for me I'm afraid.