Mark Jenkins Sequencer Loops 2 Play: Lo-Fi   Mid-Fi   Hi-Fi   Download: Lo-Fi   Mid-Fi   Hi-Fi (Excerpt from track 'A Peace of the Brave')

Some spoken text about the brain (I think) acts as an introduction to 'A Peace of the Brave' but in less than a minute we are storming forward on the back of an excellent sequence and rhythm combination, an electric guitar lead flashing over the top. It's an excellent opener which would be great live as it certainly gets the pulse racing.

'The Eight-Fold Way' has a very similar feel to Tangerine Dream around the 'Le Parc' period. A slow sequence mixes with soothing flute sounds. It becomes more syncopated with the addition of further loops and staccato melodic lead line, all the elements going together in very pleasing fashion. 'A Driftwood Mirror' fades in as the previous number subsides. Again as might be expected on an album with this name, a sequence is deployed immediately. It is another excellent one with piano melody (sounding a little Schulzian actually) played over the top. More conventional synth leads then join the piano to tremendous effect making this track one of the real highlights.

The pace is even faster on 'Under a Cloak of Secrecy and Deception'. Sequences form a holding pattern whilst more sampled speech sets the scene, departing with the introduction of drums and more electric guitar. It fairly rocks in a way similar to some of the tracks off Shamall's 'Influences' CD. 'Tetraneutron Halo Detector' is initially gentler with wind chime type effects but it only takes seconds before the loops and beats can be heard again. Unfortunately it didn't develop enough, so not the best track here. 'Carnaval de los Muertos' mixes sampled wordless vocal effects and sequence to which are added some nice lead touches in the second half. The next three tracks provide a welcome change of pace, slowing things down a little. 'Solving the Quintic' uses a nice combination of warbling sounds, melodic note runs, gentle tuneful loops and effective lead lines.

'Et Lux In Tenebris Lucet' mixes sampled text and monastic chanting with a faint underlying sequence. It all works extremely well. 'I am a man of clouds' features an acoustic guitar and pleasant rhythmic chugging loop. 'Evolution by Apocalypse' puts the foot back down on the accelerator. An exciting lead line plays over a mean rumbling bass sequence and driving drum combination. It's another track which would be excellent live giving plenty of opportunity for solos whilst the underlying bubbling brew will get everyone's feet tapping and hands moving in time. 'Duty is Heavier……' continues the sequencer barrage with even more devastating deep pulsations accompanied by a high register melody line. In some ways it reminded me a little of Rolf Trostel. 'Thermocycler' keeps the momentum going as a scorching lead lets rip over yet another stonking sequence.