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review by Bill Binkelman David Caballero, who records as Gnomusy, is another example of how being a success on the gone-but-not-forgotten mp3.com led to bigger things. Like Oystein Ramfjord (Amethystium), Caballero put his music on mp3.com and was rewarded with an amazing number of downloads (in his case, more than 2 million). Now we have this CD, featuring the music he recorded between 1994 and 2003, released on Jorge Grundman's label, a vehicle for raising money for the non-profit Doctors without Borders. I can't think of a better match in this case: great music and a great cause! Musically, Caballero exists on the same continuum as contemporaries Amethystium and Ryan Farish. His album features short, accessible, rhythmic synth-driven "new age pop" music, also containing echoes of Celtic fusion artists such as Enya, 2002, and even Clannad. Instrumentation includes digital piano, synth strings, assorted synth wind instruments (notably, flute, high and low whistle, and pan pipes), and sampled hand percussion as well as more overtly electronica beats. If I had to classify Ethereality, I'd label it "new age music" but it really hews closer to Celtic fusion on many cuts, with some other world influences here and there (such as Greek textures in one or two spots). Also, the liberal use of more contemporary beats means the album also holds appeal for lovers of chill-out and "warm" EM (no cold Berlin school mannerisms here). The more I listened to the album, the more impressed I became with the same elements that likewise impressed me with Ramfjord and Farish: superb instrumentation (outstanding keyboard sounds), crystal clear production, and a real keen ear for composing music that is catchy and accessible without being vapid or redundant. The only thing I can offer as a critique is that, on occasion, he seems a little too enamored with pitch-bending the panpipes or other wind instruments. But, what the hell, that's not that big a deal. There are seventeen (!) songs on the album and I can only think of one that I was less than thrilled with (the solo piano neo-classical piece "Isabel Romantica"). The CD opens with "Altair" driven by steady midtempo bass beats, echoed upper register twinkling tones, haunting pan pipes, and an overall air of mysticism (a musical theme that permeates most of the album). "Virtuality II" switches gears into overt electronica with skitching beats, sequenced synth notes, a sampled oboe, and an overall joyful sense of exuberance. "Dolmen Ridge," on the other hand, begins in fog-shrouded mystery, with plaintive echoed flute, muted piano, and lush swirling undercurrents of strings. This is the first song to have a strong Celtic/Irish/Scottish sound to it. Many tracks on the CD contain British Isles' musical influences, whether it be rhythmic (e.g. sampled bodhran), wind instrument (high and low whistle) or just the motifs and musical composition style Caballero employs. Sometimes the music has such a strong sensation of joy and/or movement ("Runa" or "Mystic Knight") while other pieces blend contemporary touches with older musical elements to yield interesting hybrids ("Dance of the Mist" combines a Renaissance court sound with ultra-contemporary beats). If you've a fondness for catchy hooks contained within warm melodic rhythmic electronic music, wrapped in quasi-Celtic fusion fashion, or if you're fan of the aforementioned artists (although since there are no vocals save synth choruses, the comparisons to Clannad and Enya are meant more broadly), you'll probably be as enchanted with Ethereality as I was. I easily give this a "highly recommended." (Copious liner notes in an attractive booklet are an added bonus!). |
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