tracklist
\n01 Abalone Vortex by Andrea Cichecki 7:39
\n02 Tempestarius by Chris Meyer 7:30
\n03 Dim Rill by Rodent 5:15
\n04 Flutter by Dark Sparkler 6:45
\n05 Of Ash And Sorrow by Blakmoth 6:30
\n06 Pareidolia by Brendan Pollard 8:23
\n07 Hecataea by Andrew Ostler 7:23
\n08 A Hopeless Momentum by James Cigler 8:30
\n09 Near Earth by Jon Palmer 6:40
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\nTone Science sub-label, from DiN records, continues to explore the world of modular synth music.
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\nFollowing the success and critical acclaim of the first six Tone Science compilation albums, DiN label boss Ian Boddy has collated another nine tracks from musicians of varying backgrounds working in the realms of modular synthesis.
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\nOne of the things that is so delightful about artists working with modular synthesisers is the sheer variety of styles on show. These instruments more than any other can be personalised for each musician who can then express themselves within their own sonic world.
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\nThis volume starts with a pair of beautiful, texturally detailed sequenced tracks \u201cAbalone Vortex\u201d by Andrea Cichecki and \u201cTempestarius\u201d by Chris Meyer which form a natural pairing that create a melodic, calm opening.
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\n\u201cDim Rill\u201d by Rodent enters a more mysterious zone with mesmerising bell like tones that bounce around in the stereo field before yielding to the rising harmonic motif of \u201cFlutter\u201d from Dark Sparkler that promises resolution but ultimately falls back into mystery.
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\nThe mid-point of this volume sees Blakmoth take the music sonically into a very deep, dark place with a huge slab of dread that is \u201cOf Ash And Sorrow\u201d. Counterbalancing the first four tracks it sets up the audio space for the remainder of the album.
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\nThe next three pieces see a more heavily sequenced space emerge with definite echoes of the Berlin School ethos that was instrumental in inspiring so many modular synth artists. No more so than on \u201cPareidolia\u201d by Brendan Pollard with its groaning, spring reverb clatter in its opening that gradually coalesces into a throbbing analogue bass line. \u201cHecataea\u201d by Andrew Ostler and \u201cA Hopeless Momentum\u201d by James Cigler complete this trio of sequenced tracks with varying layers of complexity and harmonic exploration.
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\nThe album floats away into space as it closes with the track \u201cNear Earth\u201d by Jon Palmer. Inspired by the weird and wonderful abstract sounds on the long wave radio band this impressionistic soundscape fades to an eerie signal mournfully calling in the void.
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\n\u201cTone Science Module No.7 Cause and Effect\u201d continues the journey down the rabbit hole of possibilities and sound worlds inhabited by artists and musicians working in this ever fascinating and varied musical field. <\/p>\n