AmbiEntrance Overviews are smaller, self-contained review nuggets of older releases and various miscellany. You'll find 53 Pre-1999 Overviews preserved in the AmbiEntrance Archive. Gavin Bryars: Sinking of the Titanic   (Point Music - 1994) (6.9) This is Gavin Bryars' hour-long conceptual homage to the band who played on while the ship went down. Historically interesting, and musically melancholy, 11 tracks flow together as one. Comprised mainly of the solemn Episcopal hymn, "Autumn" embellished occasionally with sound effects, samples, recordings from inside an unused water tower, and more. Murky atmospheres encroach and angelic choirs sing as the tracks proceed... downward. Photos and lots of information about the piece's evolution fill the liner notes (I can't say I care for the type presentation, especially when reading long passages). All in all, quite interesting, even though the main theme becomes rather tiresome. Though this disc was released a few years ago, I can still imagine a few hapless folks running across it only to exclaim... "Hey, where's the Celine Dion song!". Equinox: Holon   (Hypnotic - 1998) (6.1) Bill Leeb is best known as one-half of Delerium, Front Line Assembly, Synaesthesia, etc. He and Chris Peterson (as Equinox) have released Holon, an often noisy and chaotic outing. Tracks like Contact are aggressive and beaty with lots of crunchy electro-noise effects. Titles like Binary Star and Phenomena coincide with the Drum 'n' Bass Meets Space theme which seems to be the disc's point... at least until pointless rap samples infect Funky Ass, affecting even the title. Another track (Remember Today) which begins with an electric drone and nicely sinister rhythm is plagued by a repetitious "Wha's Happ'nin'" sample. Wha's happ'nin', indeed... If you're going to get knocked off course, does it have to be by "funky ass" rap samples? Muslimgauze: Uzi   (Parade Amoureuse - 1989) (8.7) The first 12 tracks which open Uzi are more cinematic, sparse, moody and not so overtly Middle Eastern, though definitely bearing an influence. Percussion, often backed by electric drones and shimmering accents, forms a living, breathing atmosphere of impending menace. 13 tracks are between 3 and 4 minutes. The five closing tracks are sectioned together as The Rape of Palestine; Shadow of the West (8:23) incorporates more elements including samples, faster beats, more instrumentation like flutes and organs. A Nation loses the percussion entirely, relying instead on a dense haze from which various sounds (many faraway birds) and instruments emerge. This disc is out of print, so if you find one, grab it. This overview and the next are part of the AmbiEntrance's memorial to Bryn Jones; if you haven't already, please visit the Muslimgauze tribute page for more information. Muslimgauze: Infidel   (Extreme - 1994) (7.5) This CDEP shows the dancier side of Bryn Jones with five various mixes of the title track... the predominant rhythm sounds quite similar (sampled?) to Orbital's "Lush 3-1". The differences between the mixes are not great, although the East Meets West Mix runs almost 10-minutes whereas the others are between 5- and 7-minutes long. After a half-hour of Infidel mixes, the additional tracks offer a welcome change... Fakir (bed of nails mix) relies on a steadily pounding ethnic drumming, embellished with ethnic cries. Salaam Mecca uses softer beats and is bespeckled with thousands of tinkles and chimes from cymbals and bells. More than 16.5 minutes long, Hama rides the subtle currents of an electric drone, adding light beats and slithery cymbals. Various Artists: Infinite Beat Vol. 1   (DGC - 1997) (6.9) Pop giant Geffen seems to have stuck a toe in to test the waters of electronica/drum 'n' bass with this collection of beat happy cuts, which range from dancier to drummier. Fun fare includes Skycutter and Kiki Mojo's deep and delicate Crystal Blue, Naked Funk's spy-movie-flavored Pleasing the Korean, or The Advocate's electro-space pounder, You Talkin' To Me. Squarepusher's digital beats in Problem Child are impressive for their jaw-droppingly insane intricacies. If you're needing some quirky percussion in your diet, you can certainly find it here. Return to January's Main Page | 1999 Overviews Index

AmbiEntrance © 1999-97 by David J Opdyke (except CD cover art, rights retained by original owners).