Album Reviews

Sacred Skies - Best of AD Vol 2

Volume 2 in the series again reveals the quality in AD's rosta of artists.

Beginning with the previously unreleased 'The Plains' by Bekki Williams, in less symphonic mood, the piece reflects the increasing maturity of her music. One of the finest albums in AD's canon is Catalin Marin's 'First Breath' represented here by 'Nandana-Paradise in Indra', an ethnic tinged gem that would not sound out of place on the 'Bladerunner' soundtrack. The shimmering 'Iceberg', again echoing Vangelis at his most accessible, is equally impressive.

Robert Fox's illustrious backcatalogue is condensed to the superb 'Over Turquoise Seas' taken from his first Ad realease 'Asfafa' and the majestic 'Three Sisters'. Another previously unavailable track 'Sacred Skies' by David Wright is further incentive to buy this compilation. A slow burner, 'Sacred Skies' again reveals the lynchpin of AD Music in great form and bodes very well for his next solo album. The sublime 'Flame Sky' from 'Walking With Ghosts' and 'Taiga', an earlier favourite from 'Between Realities', does not disappoint.

'Jumping Air' from Raviv Gazit's underrated 'Shapeshifter' is the most rhythmic offering here. Code Indigo's, 'Call of the Earth', 'Fallen' and 'Code 11' remind us of the enduring quality of AD Music's supergroup. Callisto's 'Setisphere' has already become a classic from the debut release 'Signal to Stars.

Another AD favourite, Bekki Williams is further represented by 'Under The Same Sky' and 'Nightflier', both high quality offerings. Traditional cosmic synths appear on Enterphase's 'When the Morrow Breaks'. However, there is one AD music act, again criminally undervalued, that impresses here because it offers something different from the other artists. Witchcraft's 'Angel Dust' has ethereal vocals and 'Cathedral' from 'As I Hide' offers a subtley darker ambient vision of subdued menace.

All in all 'Sacred Skies' serves as a fine introduction to AD Music and an essential companion to Volume 1. First time purchasers may find that investigation of many of the source albums may be essential.

A superb compilation featuring artists from the AD Music Label and an essential introduction for the uninitiated with a couple of previously unreleased tracks to tempt those with more than a couple of these albums  already in their collection.

Bekki Williams' previously un released 'Sub Aqua' starts proceedings with a lushly evocative tone poem before 'Ocean of Light' by Cobalt (D. Massey and P. Massey) also exclusive to this release, makes its mark, reminiscent, not surprisingly given the personnel, of a stripped down Callisto 'Ocean of Light' is an infectious melody impeccably performed and recorded.

'24 AM' from Timecode follows. An exquisite Wright/Fox composition that will have you stacking up those Code Indigo albums for heavy rotation. Cinematic, with jazz tinged textures adding to the air of world weary melancholy. Sheer class.

This is then followed by Robert Fox's sublime 'Queen of Hearts'(remix) which is taken from the undervalued Trance AD album. Fox's magnificent melody and subtle sense of dynamics still send shivers down the spine.

'Beyond Paradise' from David Wright's outstanding 'Walking With Ghosts' album is joined by 'A Certain Malaise' and the title track 'Walking With Ghosts', more than enough to confirm the album's status. Bekki's 'In The Arms of Morpheus' (remix) demonstrates her work with effective light and shade and ambient textures.

Robert Fox is further represented by 'And All Shall Be Well' from 'The Fire and the Rose' and 'Water Music' from 'Talking Heads, the former being more representative of the composer's epic flourishes and the latter another sublime track demonstrating Fox's compositional skill and rich sonic textures and increasingly keen sense of dynamics. Code Indigo tracks 'Code 14' from 'For Whom the Bell' and 'Stasis' from "Timecode" and 'Snow Paths' are timely reminders of how great this band is and really deserve greater crossover success and acclaim.

Enterphase are represented by the gently evocative "Snow Paths" from "Solar Promenades". AD Music's best kept secret, Witchcraft, is also represented here and offers an interesting alternative to the above with 'Ultraviolet' from 'Scattered Areas of Invisibility' and 'We Rest'  from 'As I Hide'  demonstrating the versatility and diversity of the AD stable of artists with some rare vocal contributions. I remember reviewing Raviv Gazit's 'Shapeshifter' album and suggesting that he would be ideally suited to join the Froese's to give an infusion of freshness and innovation to Tangerine Dream compositions. 'Ov1' demonstrates these qualities admirably and is not even the best cut from the album. 'Postlude', probably included as much for the suitability of the title and its running time represents the brilliant 'First Breath' album by Catalin Marin, an essential album if you are a fan of Vangelis at his melodic best.

There you have it, quite simply a first class compilation of melodic electronic/ambient music from an innovative label that more than deserves your attention and patronage. An ideal starting point for someone unfamiliar with the label and the artists and of considerable interest to completists as well