Artist................... Robert Fox
Album.....................Maya
Label.....................The Orchard
Genre.....................New Age
Release...................05/14/2006
Street....................06/28/2005
Encoder...................LAME 3.97 beta
Quality...................--aps 44.1kHz/joint
# NAME TiME
01. On Reflection 05:42
02. Kindred Spirits 07:14
03. Close to the Edge 07:39
04. Maya (Part 1) 06:26
05. Maya (Part 2) 03:44
06. Maya (Part 3) 07:07
07. Daylight Madness 08:10
08. When All is Done 06:25
09. Ascension 09:37
A thunder crack heralds the arrival of Robert's latest
opus 'Maya' and the first track, the magnificent 'On
Reflection', shows how he has refined his signature
sound from the heady days of his debut 'Asfafa'. The
mood of the album is more reflective and although maybe
not as immediate as say, 'Talking Heads', 'Maya' is
full of subtle delights that will reward the patient
listener. 'On Reflection' with its beautifully
understated melody and dream- like sequencing sets the
tone and, I've said it before and its even more
applicable here, Robert's music would enhance a major
film production.
'Kindred Spirits' is lighter than its predecessor with
another superb melody but with sections of chanting
giving it a spiritual atmosphere. The use of percussion
treatments here, and throughout the album, is another
strongpoint as is the quality of the signal. 'Close to
the Edge' is even more subtle than its predecessors
with a gentle melody interspersed with more abstract
treatments, piano touches and gentle percussion. Fox
carefully builds the atmosphere and again prefers
understatement which succeeds well. The title track is
divided into three parts with Part 1 clocking in at
7.38, and features some great piano work, distant
voices, percussion and some interesting changes of mood
and texture. A descending piano motif is accompanied by
trademark orchestral touches and cross fades into Part
2 which resembles a film soundtrack as Roberts strips
his sound down to the bones.. Piano is interspersed
with ambient textures and treatments but returns to the
more familiar template on Part 3. Some dramatic
percussion preludes some majestic orchestral tones
which lead into a classic Fox melodic sequence which
stands up with the very best he has ever produced. The
subtle changes in melody and use of voices are a
delight. 'Daylight Madness' features good percussion
work and piano which succeed in creating a different
kind of introspection and atmosphere. 'When All is
Done' raises the tempo a little and gradually a piano
motif succeeds in establishing itself but once again
the composer chooses restraint. Finally, 'Ascension'
takes the music on to a higher spiritual level to a
wonderfully moving finale reminiscent of Vangelis at
his most sublime. Once again Robert prefers subtlety as
he builds slowly and allows the music space to evolve
and take on a hymn-like quality and brings the set to a
most satisfying conclusion.
'Maya' is a great achievement from one of the UK's best
synthesists. Robert Fox has created yet another album
of very high quality music and succeeded in honing his
distinctive sound even further into a truly unique
vision of contemporary electronica. 'Maya' is his most
mature and personal work to date and deserves to be a
big seller. With the release of the 'best of'
retrospective ,'Timeless', 2005 is going to be a good
year for Robert's fans.
We use LAME 3.97 now, which is approved.
62:04 min
87,2 Mb