Sky City - S/t [Important Records - 2007]This new project managers a reward balancing act between improvised and composed material, falling somewhere between psychedelic space music, bizarre world music, off kilter Country/folk & avant rock ‘n’ wail. The project brings together the impressive talents of Tom Carter(Charalambides), Robert Horton, Lisa & Ann Lee Cameron. Each member plays various different instruments, sounds sources & noise making elements on each track, though Carter mostly plays various kinds of guitar , which often give the pieces their structure, anchor point and more musically elements. Each of the four tracks manageds to keep the projects sound identity, but at the same time each has its own feeling and mix of sounds. It all starts off with Are you a solar ark or not, which enters with all manner of percussive sound, tinkling, stretching ect. Giving the feeling of a strange space ritual that’s more than a little comical, as the track continues and the layers of sounds grow- a rather effective wondering rubber band tone takes centre focus, with all manner of bizarre percussive and bizarre sound surrounding it. As the two sisters wail and moaning like strange demented sirens or gone wrong exotica singers. Later on the track it’s after the end of the world, brings together space calls, what sounds like accordion space pump and later-on a building crescendo's of guitar feedback. It all brings to mind a more folk/ mad-witch take on early guitar/ freak-out based Tangerine Dream. An enjoyable release that I’m sure will interest improvised space heads and those who enjoy there instrumental music that’s a bit more challenge, strange & filled with all manner of creative sound making. Roger Batty
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