HARRISON EDWARDS

Spirit of the Mountain

Arturim Records (2003)

review by Bill Binkelman

Harrison Edwards' Spirit of the Mountain is a dynamic, passion-filled "contemporary electronic music (CEM)" album. What do I mean by the term "contemporary electronic music?" Currently, there really is no good category to describe music played on synthesizers and samplers that shares elements of adult contemporary instrumental music and new age music, yet is really neither one of those genres. CEM is the kind of music that was released in the heyday of "new age music" by the artists on the Narada Mystique label, such as Peter Buffett, Carol Nethen, Colin Chin, and David Arkenstone, as well as some other performers (e.g. Suzanne Ciani, early Yanni [circa Keys to Imagination and Out of Silence], early recordings from the Spotted Peccary label [Jenkins' and Lackey's Continuum and the two Brain Laughter CDs] and, to a lesser degree, Ray Lynch). The music has structure, melody, and regular rhythms &endash; in short, it's "electronic" adult contemporary music. Now, I'll move on my reactions on to this particular recording.

Edwards excels at infusing his passion and love of the outdoors (and Hawk Mountain, in particular) into these twelve tracks. The music is visual and evocative, whether it's the high energy of the opening title song (which begins as a soft ambient/new age music piece and quickly becomes dynamic and high energy when soaring strings and other orchestral-sounding keyboards propel the cut at a high rate of speed helped by pounding sequencer-like rhythms) or soft tracks like the forlorn beauty of "Empty Skies" (in which Berlin-esque arpeggios and plucked-string synths open the track and lead into lovely strings and bell-like tones, along with a despairing undertone of lower register keyboards).

The mix and engineering of the album is exceptional; the music has a spaciousness to it that conveys the feeling of standing on top of Hawk Mountain (a sanctuary for birds of prey overlooking the Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania). Copious liner notes, detailing the inspiration/meaning behind the songs make it easier to "feel" what Edwards is attempting (and almost always succeeding) to do with these compositions. His writings increased my enjoyment of the music more than is frequently the case. The artist comes across as sincere and dedicated to his mission of spreading the word about not just this one place on the planet, but also a broader wish for more respect to be afforded our brothers and sisters of the air.

The assorted pieces have a lot of variety to them, but Edwards does have some signature "trademarks," like his sampled guitar (nicely executed), plucked strings (harp-like), and the more dynamic and powerful keyboard sounds that he relies on to impart majesty and awe. I would compare these elements more to Arkenstone and Yanni, whereas when he softens things a bit, he may remind the listener of Ciani, Lynch or maybe even Vangelis (at his least pretentious). He also shares Peter Buffett's cinematic way with a "wall of sound" approach at times. Only once does he descend into hammer-to-the-head over-emoting during "On Broken Wings" which could have done with some toning down of the drama (subdue the piano and strings perhaps?). More often than not, though, Edwards' music is hard to resist, such as the bouncy, lively sense of good cheer that fills "The Brouns Arrive" with a sense of hope, or the soaring spaciousness of "Sanctuary" with its echoed percussive beats, harp arpeggios and gently gliding synth strings.

Spirit of the Mountain could easily be used as the soundtrack to a documentary film about Hawk Mountain. In fact, I wish someone would make that film-I'd like to see it! However, the music itself works as the soundtrack to an "imaginary" film, detailing the life and times of these wonderful winged creatures. If you enjoy your keyboard music passionate, dramatic and brimming with powerful emotions, this is a CD you will likely enjoy. There is little subtlety here (ambient music this isn't), but in this case, I think that is intentional and, to be honest, since the music is more celebratory in nature (as opposed to pensive), the high drama is fitting and apt. According to the accompanying press release, Harrison Edwards is already working on another "themed" recording. If Spirit of the Mountain is any indication, it should be another winner. Recommended.