Robert Carty Sonic Magic

Klik hier voor de Nederlandstalige versie

Robert Carty is one of the most prolific American ambient artist's though I must admit that I am unaware of most of his work. Well I had to start my reviews somewhere I suppose so why not this title? 'Sounding Into Life' is a collage of soft echoing sounds which ring out creating a shimmering and extremely relaxing mood. We float into 'Sonic Being' on the back of rather dark drones. More echoing detail is added slowly fading into the distance. Some very faint almost orchestral sounding pads can be heard deep in the mix eventually rising to the surface in waves.

These waves seem to get even darker and more rumbling sounding providing quite a contrast to the repeated echoing tones. By the ninth minute there is a hint of melody in the background. 'Currents' begins with a lovely deep warbling sound, it's as if we are being hit by the soundwave of a low flying helicopter but distorted as if in a psychedelic dream. Again echoing tones are an important part of the overall sound. We also have sampled running water relatively high in the mix. I could have done without it actually as it seemed rather at odds with the rest of the music. More drones are added making the sound somewhat more intense. 'Soundworlds' uses a combination of symphonic-ish pads and a high register electronic hum to create a rather dreamy feel. There are of course more echoing tones, being somewhat a feature of the whole album but it's the intensity of the collage of sounds which is the most gripping feature; that is until we get a lead line (well sort of) in the eighth minute. It creates a dramatic, almost euphoric effect rather than providing melody as such.

We float seamlessly into 'Beautiful Waves'. Initially the feel is exactly the same but gradually the intensity of the wall of sound that had been built on the previous track starts to ebb and the mood becomes more tranquil, especially by the finish when we make the transition into the title track. There is now a faintly vocal quality to some of the pads. It's a lovely ethereal way to finish the album. (DL)

Nederlandstalige versie

Robert Carty is één van de meest vooraanstaande ambient artiesten van de US maar ik moet toegeven dat ik niet op de hoogte ben van zijn werk. Ik moest ergens beginnen dus waarom niet bij deze titel? "Sounding into Life" is een collage van zachte echoënde klanken die een schemerige en extreem relaxte sfeer scheppen.

We drijven verder naar "Sonic Being" met vrij donkere drones. Meer echoënde details worden nog mondjesmaat toegevoegd. Enkele heel zachte, bijna orkestrale tapijtjes, worden nu gehoord en komen af en toe iets meer op de voorgrond. Deze golven worden nog donkerder en klinken wat rommelend, compleet in contrast met de echoënde klanken. Rond de negende minuut is er iets op de achtergrond wat op een melodie begint te lijken. "Current" begint met een mooie diepe dwarrelende klank, het is alsof we geraakt worden door een geluidsgolf van een laagvliegende helicopter, maar dan gestoord als in een psychedelische droom. Weer zijn echoënde klanken de hoofdmoot van dit klankgeheel. In de mix zitten er ook nog sampels van stromend water.