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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
DREAMTIME IMAGES..., May 28, 2004
...the Dreamtime of course being one of the central elements of Aboriginal spiritual beliefs - in the case of the music of Lights in a Fat City, however, the Dreamtime relates to the spirituality and soul of the entire world. This is - more or less - ambient music, but with a strong element of emotion. True, depending on the frame of mind and direction of purpose of the listener, this music could easily be used for meditation, for drifting away from the thought-level of the mind into the deeper, less defined regions - but there is a sense of direction and purpose here that is absent in much of the music being produced today that lays claim to the `ambient' area only to produce the aural equivalent of wallpaper. There are many notable artists who have risen above such mindless pursuits - Alio Die, Steve Roach, Robert Rich, Ora, Lustmord, Rapoon, O Yuki Conjugate, Templegarden, to name but a few. I would definitely add Lights in a Fat City to this creative level of explorers.Performing here as a trio - Eddy Sayer, Kenneth Newby and Stephen Kent - and recorded live in San Francisco, the group employs a relatively small array of instruments that, combined with their unique tonal characteristics and the sensibilities and imaginations of the musicians, produce an incredible spectrum of sounds. Sayer performs on percussion and an instrument called a `hybrid harp', which, I'm guessing is producing the piano-like sounds I hear in places, along with other effects; Newby wields sulings (a bamboo flute used in Balinese gamelan ensembles), piri (a double-reed recorder from Korea), utilizes digital soundscapes and bells; Kent plays digeridoo and animal horns. That's the extent of the musician credits - it's not a long list, and it belies the variety of sounds to be heard in this exceptional recording. The three players interact sensitively - each of them contributes thoughtfully and eloquently to the overall mix. The feeling of the music is tranquil, but with an energy that is ever present, like a life-force, guiding the players as they traverse the tonal landscape. This is transporting music of the highest level - on first listening, at the end of the album, I was left with a feeling that I can only describe as aural cleansing. It's definitely an experience I'll want to repeat - and it makes me want to check out the other recordings available by this ensemble. Highly recommended.
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~ Lights In A Fat City
~ Lights In A Fat City
~ Stephen Kent
~ Between Interval
by Lights in a Fat City 
