Customer Reviews

Different Space

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Well, Six Degrees records strikes again!! How do they find these talented people? This CD has great musical integrety while making a lot of use of synthesizers and dubs. The World vocal crossover stylings on a couple of the pieces contrast very well with the dream spaces evoked in others. There is never a dull moment wandering through this landscape. Some of the pieces have been played on Hearts of Space, while others would be more suited for a trance outing. All are excellent. Go for it.

Bob Holroyd is a creator of atmosphere and texture; his music has a cinematic quality that takes you to some very exotic places. If you've got a little time, and have nowhere to go, play this on headphones, or in a quiet room.

A beautiful work.

Bob Holroyd has crafted an outstanding CD that combines the influences of world music (influences that sound like they come from all over the globe!) with the nuanaces and subtleties available in electronic music. The rhythms and percussion really stand out in nearly every track, and they're remarkably different on every track. The first track and "African Drug" are African-influenced fast-moving fly-bys, while "Adrift in Kerala" and "Something Understood" are more Asian trance. "Earthwatching", my favorite, is unlike everything else on the CD - mysterious and purely electronic. The vocals on the CD are sparse yet effective, and each track will grab you in its own way. A great CD!

You know the type of album. The type that is really great the first tim eyou put it in. The type that upon further listen gets better and better, till you can't live with out it. Thats the special treat Bob Holroyd has delvered here today. I am a fan of Six degree's yet I see this and the Two Banco De Gaia albums they released as the only "perfect" albums they have released yet. If your a fan of Banco De Gaia you should definitly pick this up next. Holroyd goes back in forth between some really great up beat world inspired tracks with some crazy drum work. Into some truly emotional filled Ambient tracks that are simply beautiful. The mixed tempo of this album seems to be this only valid complain I have seen, But I don't buy into these "rules" that an album must somehow follow tempo restrictions. A Wonderful album such as this breaks the rules and delvers great music regardless.

I mention Hillage is this review because that is how I found out about Bob Holroyd. I personally am not a big fan of the Top Hat heavy trans-beat. You won't find much of that on this record.

What you do find are many layered synthetic wonders, innertwined with acoustic sounds, which feature beats; but are not completely beat driven. The moods created here are not too dark either (just is case you don't like dark ambient!). Bob is a talented synth artists with a solid command on his ethnic influences. The pieces on this record have an intricacy with them that is NOT overwhelming or inaccessable! Great spin!

How does this go? I heard Bob Holyrod somewhere, probably on a Pandora station for similar music then quickly bookmarked the song and purchased the album. I just love it. His music is very eclectic and can evoke all kinds of moods but, ultimately, is very listenable. I find that it helps me focus when reading, works for driving and even works for certain types of workouts.

Bob Holroyd has his finger firmly on the international pulse on his debut album A DIFFERENT SPACE, from the Afircan chanting on "Drumming Up a Storm" to the melancholy Spanish-tinged vocals on "Journeyman." The atmospherics on "Dark Waters" is augmented by a lonely electric guitar, some piano plinking and an operatic sample. In each of his tracks, there's a certain tribal quality to the rhythm (whether it's loops of authentic drumming or the rhythmic structure itself) that gives the tracks more weight than they would. Indeed, "African Drug" is almost nothing but rhythm. "Something Understood" starts off with some industrial sounds, but then ease out the edges with some long synth pulls. "Adrift in Kerala" lingers on the Hindi vocals, while the title track sort of wanders off into nothingless. While there's nothing in this album to dislike, it doesn't distinguish itself very well and occasionally veers too close to "new age" territory. A different space? Not really. A pleasant space? To be sure.

A musical journey through space and time.