|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
review by Dene Bebbington Raphael Preston used to work with Vangelis and subsequently branched out to start making his own music. That may lead one to expect music very much in the Vangelis mould, but that's not the case. Raphael has brought a distinctive style to ambient music, covering ground from gentle floating and drifting compositions to more rhythmic and melodic pieces. The October Child is very much in the latter vein. The album contains seven discrete tracks in all, the first six varying between nearly five and seven minutes, with the final one being the longest clocking in at over fifteen minutes. Each track is rhythmic, and throughout there are hints of some familiar motifs from his other albums, but he isn't merely reworking old ground. I was a little surprised after first listening to this album because there's a slight funkiness to the music - hints of soul music perhaps. It gets off to a great start with "October" which is a positive siren call as an almost urgent sounding motifs play over rhythm and percussion, and this is topped off by a melody created using an electric guitar type of effect. It is the most exciting track. After this, the music settles down into more of a chilled out (and sometimes ambient dub) mode. The final piece, "Dreams," finishes the album nicely. It's an extended rhythmic piece with drones and other sounds creating a mysterious atmosphere. Listening to this piece is like going on a netherward journey into the peculiar world of dreams and the subconscious. Raphael has delivered another batch of relaxing, positive feeling, ambient music. It's ideal to chill out with because most of the rhythms are not so lively that you want to jig around. If you want easygoing ambient music with atmosphere and more than minimal activity in it, then I can certainly recommend The October Child. |
|
