Archives
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William Orbit- Strange Cargo Hinterland
N-Gram Recordings-77033 Performance- This time out, Orbit has incorporated many guest vocals, both spoken and sung. Hinterland also has much more of a melodic base than previous releases. (Hummable melodies in Electronica? Yes!) Once again, a great driving, late night, make out record. To keep up with his growth as a composer, Orbit desperately needs to refresh his tool palette. (Samples) His work is becoming rather redundant in the effect category, resulting in a sameness that should be addressed. Reload William, Reload. Mr. Orbit is actually quite a prolific re-mixer for many other artists work, and his mixes are generally worth seeking out. His absolute transformation of Peter Gabriel’ "Kiss That Frog" has to be heard. His work can also be found on Caroline Lavelles’ Spirit, and Torch Songs’ Toward the Unknown Region. Sound Quality- For the most part, see: Strange Cargo 3". Hinterland seems to have even less definition in the bass, it having a soft, pillowy low end. This softness works directly against the elevated bass level, resulting in an even more obnoxious drone like sound. JTG |
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Mannheim Steamroller- Fresh Aire II
American Gramophone-AGCD-359 Performance- Ah, the dreaded New Age moniker .If memory serves me correctly, this troupe (arguably) started the genre. First marketed in upscale audio salons as demo records, they didn’t take too long to catch on with the buying public. I still remember going to a hi-fi show at Cobo Hall in Detroit long ago with my father. As kids are prone to do, I wandered off and found myself being drawn into a room playing this wonderful music. What I saw and heard in that room literally changed my musical and audio life. Being a kid, no one paid me any attention. Years later I found out the record was Fresh Aire I, the speakers were Magnapans. This disc is a prime example that there is great music to be found in any genre. Long a staple on Harry Pearson’s Super Disc List,(vinyl), and a personal top ten favorite of mine. I have listened to this disc at least monthly since its release. If I’m down, it is always uplifting. If I’m to up, it is always soothing. This is the power of connecting with our emotions that good music has. Combining classical and popular instruments and styles, it never sounds forced or derivative. To quickly describe it as chamber music with drums and synthesizer in no way does it justice. The New Age record bins are littered with this kind of stuff, and most is one big yawn. Chip Davis and Co. were one of the first to do this and this record still sounds, ahem, fresh. One of the very few discs in my collection that I put on and play all the way through. Consistently strong. Sound Quality- Although sounding a bit dated, this CD has relatively natural acoustic sound. The LP is clearly a notch above its counterpart though. It just cries out for a major remastering job. It is also a case of an artists first couple releases sounding MUCH better than their latest. How so? Simply put, an artist first couple of releases are done on a shoestring budget. Meaning they have less money to throw all the NEW! NEAT! studio gadgets into the mix. Recorded in a more minimalist fashion than their latest output, it doesn’t have these fancy gizmos in the recording chain that do nothing but pollute the signal. Just listen FE II against FE 7 and come to your own conclusion. Fresh Aire 7 has all the hallmarks of poor digital, flat lifeless edgy sound. Chip Davis also seams to be going away from acoustical instruments and using the electronic variety. I had a chance to see them last year on their "Russian" tour. At one point, they tried to WOW the audience with their digital instruments. The pianist played a little melody, to which the violinist replied. Then, at the flick of a switch, the violinist played the same melody but now sounding like a piano. THE CROWED WOWED! My wife and I? WE LEFT. Then and there. Disgusted. If you like this music, compare the aforementioned discs. Then write American Gramophone about your findings. I did. Of course, I received in reply a form letter thanking me for my interest…
JTG Rant On… |
