Ian Boddy Shrouded

This is the first D.A.M. CD that SMD have sold but I am sure it will be the first of many. This is a format of CD which will play just like any other CD in a standard player but if put in the computer you get a separate operating interface plus information about the tracks and an additional picture of Ian. In other words it acts as a much more basic version (visuals wise) of the recent Asana 'Archive' CD.

It's a live CD, though it doesn't sound like it, from Ian's performance at 'The Gathering' in the USA. 'Shrouded' is my favourite Ian Boddy CD in ages. It is both highly atmospheric and sequencer driven, depending on which track we are talking about. Its a bit like a much more accessible version of 'Continuum' but with a higher percentage of loops and sequences. 'First Light' has vast pads over tinkling effects then nice bright chords start to appear, appropriately as if the sun is breaking over the horizon. It's a beautifully tranquil and floating start. We then get the second track a superb twenty minute sequencer driven epic called 'Gathering'.

The sound of the wind is interrupted by thick dark pads. A slow bass sequence starts up low in the mix. A second bass sequence is added. Both sequences proceed to grow and mutate. A slow moody lead line floats over the top. The sequences never break into pounding mode but instead act as a hypnotic beat. Things become somewhat more mellow around the half way mark only for more sequences to emerge, even better than in the first half and its now that they really start to drive forwards. A rhythm is added and the excitement builds. Not sure what the US audience would have thought of this as its much more the sort of thing we tend to go for this side of the pond. 'Drift' as the title suggests is a tranquil number, very cosmic and haunting in fact. Rather short but just right.