BRIAN CARTER

Heart of the Circle

New World Music (2003)

review by Dene Bebbington

The circle in the title of this second album by Brian Carter is a reference to various stone circles in Scotland that he's familiar with. The liner notes give a description of each stone circle that the tracks are based on; it's at this point that those who, like me, aren't especially interested in the spiritual aspects of New Age music can say "Hmmm, interesting" and get on with listening to the music, taking from it what suits us.

New Age is not my first, or even second or third, love in music but I have to say that 2003 has seen some very good releases in this genre. After only a couple of listens Heart of the Circle has become a firm New Age favourite of mine, having been played a lot with no sign yet of me getting fed up of repeated listens - something which can happen with albums I like immediately. Some music takes time to grow on you, some music can be loved straight away but then loses its sheen too quickly; this album is in that magical category of music you like straight away and gets even better over time.

Six stone circles are the basis for six tracks adding up to over 50 minutes of music ranging between 5 and 12 minutes per track. The primary instruments we hear are electric and acoustic guitar; these are complemented by piano, drums, synths, and other effects. After opening up with the sound of a thunderstorm, the album quickly settles into the style present in most tracks - pleasant melodies delivered by guitar, and sometimes piano, with the other instruments and effects forming a pleasing wholeness. In some ways, this has elements of minimalist music. The melody heard in the opening track, "In the Dead of Night," is repeated with some differences in all but two of the following tracks. Things diverge in "The Circle of Knowledge" and "Alone at the Crossroads" which are a little heavier and less guitar-based. The album is brought to a close by "Brimstone" which is an upbeat and positive piece full of life.

Heart of the Circle is a really pleasant album that is relaxing without being twee or particularly sweet. This is an album well worth adding to any collection of instrumental music, and for those into the mystical side of things it's bound to have an added dimension.