Customer Reviews

Undercurrents

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

 

 

This is a wonderful CD of airy-dreamy otherworldy music. An eclectic arrangement of instruments (flutes, Indian drumming, slow long deep drones, bells, various electronica) are used on every track. The music at times is quite sparse and beautiful while at other times the collage of sound is dense and thick. This ain't dance party music. But it is music that is meant to be played loud so that the listener can be absorb into the wash of musical soundscape. Headphone fans and subwoofer owners take notice.

I was first introduced to this little-known CD by my aunt, and I immediately found it relaxing and otherworldly. We used track #3 ("Raindance") in a silly video we made -- it worked great! Then I got the CD for my birthday. The whole album is very soothing and not too distracting. The music is filled with percussion and unusual instruments. The album mainly paints pictures of water, but sometimes it even sounds like ancient tribal rituals of some kind. Don't be fooled by the group's name -- they are from England I think, not Japan. The group has other albums as well, including 'Peyote' and 'Primitive,' both of which I'm sure are just as good as 'Undercurrents.' Although it can be pretty hard to find, I would recommend this CD to anyone really. I just love this CD!

When I got EQUINOX - actually recorded later than UNDERCURRENTS - I was immediately taken by the surreal but gentle beauty of OYC's musical soundscapes. As much as I enjoyed it, I knew that until I found another recording by them I would suspect that it was a fluke. I needn't have worried - I picked this cd up a couple of days ago, and I'm now convinced that this group's place in my collection will expand whenever I find anything else by them.

The UNDERCURRENTS cd is actually assembled from an album entitled INTO DARK WATER recorded in 1986 (the first 8 tracks on the cd), plus `Another journey' (recorded in 1987) and the final four tracks (recorded in 1992). The `personality' of the various tracks fit seamlessly together - this doesn't sound at all like a hastily-combined assemblage. Utilizing standard instruments (keyboards, flute, probably some guitars) and an absolutely masterful use of tape loops (not only of instruments but of `found' recordings), OYC combine their chosen elements into individual pieces (that sometimes flow together without a break) that are thought-provoking, intelligent, relaxing and transporting. While the music can easily be used as a `background', there's plenty going on here that warrants the listener's attention - this is not boring `wallpaper music' by any means.

Highly recommended to all fans (and newcomers) of electronic and ambient music - and to anyone who enjoys creativity without the boundaries imposed by `genre'.

Ambience thats slightly dark with drones but melodic, backed up with nontraditional or "world" rythyms. The flutes, drums, synths, and piano and overall arrangements are done well enough, but it's definitely got a 90's music approach. Relaxing but with more going for it than dull, full of the usual ethereal atmospheres, but arranged with leads that explore simple asian tonality in a compelling way. If you like a touch of zen then this is for you.