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review by Dene Bebbington This fifth album in the Fahrenheit Project compilation series from the Ultimae Records label features unreleased ambient music by Jaia, Solar Fields, Aural Planet, Aes Dana, H.U.V.A Network, Cell, Great Leap Forward, Carbon Based Lifeforms, Sync24, and Hol Baumann. All these artists (and the label) are new to me so I didn't know what to expect - a pleasing situation for a reviewer to find himself in. The label class the music as going from downtempo trance to acid ambient. Getting the album off to an excellent start is "Alone" by Jaia - incidentally, the longest at exactly eight minutes. Strange distorted voices and tapping noises begin this piece which quickly includes synth pads and nascent sequencing before bursting into life with thudding bass and electronic curios. After a quiet period it then picks up for a short time with frenetic percussion, looping, and other effects including vague choral like sounds. Another track with lively elements worth particular mention is "Purple" by Aes Dana. On this piece distant thunder gives way to robotic waves that create brief repeating sheens of sound that are complemented by grooves and beats to create an alien but warm aural landscape. The piece "In the Name of the Super Natural" by Great Leap Forward is sure to appeal to those who like things that come from left field. Starting off with rhythms and grooves that presage something unusual we also hear birds crowing in the background. The piece moves along with these sounds and also includes dialogue samples between the hero and villain from a Sean Connery era James Bond film. Bringing the album to a close is "Wake [epilogue edit]" by Sync24. The most ambient and relaxed track compared to what has gone before, it features softly spoken word snippets by male and female voices alongside seesawing and calming synth effects which gradually evolve. Fahrenheit Project Part Five has a few high points and no low points, the overall impression is one of consistency. It's a great way to familiarise oneself with artists on the Ultimae roster and should provide ambient fans with much happy listening of distinctly European sounds. I have no problem in recommending it. |
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