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In traditional Waveform form, expect lush arrangements and transcendental rhythms, as immediately demonstrated by the opening flow into Liquid Shiva. Arabic motifs are explored via sampled ethno-instrumentation, then pumped up a notch by electronic beats. Synthetic winds rise and fall, accompanied by adroitly plucked strings to open
Puja (6:51); dozens of percussive effects (including syncopated water droplets) empower drifting synthstrings and churning accordian chords into a dancier realm of aural ecstacy. Particularly driving bass-and-beat pulses inject the serpentine e-violins and warbling faux flute of Rajastan with a hypnotic energy.
The twangy lead electro-sitar tones of Prana (life force) comes across as a bit canned, but the underlying drift and drum textures remain compelling. The slightly ominous Season of Monsoon is marked by the clattering of bamboo and the dense reverberations of gong blares underneath streaming synthcurrents. Sporting a bit of a cool tiki-lounge vibe Electric Karma (4:04) dances along with some cheesily generic (but effectively used) strings and another wanky sitar-ish lead.
Mellow dreams follow the Spice Caravan, punctuated by more-vibrant passages and ceramic percussion. Flutes and drones operate like "Chutes and Ladders", spiraling both upward and downward before Agni erupts into a frenzy of techno-beats-meet-snake-charmer-music.
Chants, synths, bells and (more-natural-sounding) sitar tones are soon bolstered by Ojopati's upbeat rhythmication.
Bookending the collection, Liquid Shiva (blue apple mix) reappears, as mixed by Delino Castro. Female whispers are dropped into a seductive mix from which the lows seem to have been sucked.
Shortly after the release of Nomadic Impressions in late 1998, we interviewed Open Canvas' Gregory Kyryluk (who also releases less-ethnic electronics as Alpha Wave Movement). Keep your ears open for more in the near future...
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