John Stanford - Deep Space.nfo
GENERAL INFORMATION
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Album: Deep Space
Artist: John Stanford
Year: 1999
Genre: New Age / Electronic / Downtempo / Ambient
DESCRIPTION
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I must admit that the title of this album, and the cosmic cover image, triggered off some preconceptions as to how the music might sound. Suffice to say, in this instance, I was to be very pleasantly surprised to be wide of the mark. An ominous low drone, almost subliminal astronaut voices, fast metronomic hihat and then a simple, heavily echoed, piano motif heralds the opening track 'The Watchers'. In terms of atmosphere, Mark Snow's music for the 'X Files' comes to mind, but Stanford cleverly deploys trance rhythms and textures which gives the sound a genuinely contemporary feel.
At around the three minute mark a harsher, more driving rhythm provides a solid backbone for subtle variations in the melody, sequences and percussion. Harsher trance techniques take over the mix before Stanford slows the pace and juxtaposes hypnotic textures against a brooding, but melodic, synth backdrop before the fade out. The title track opens with bright percussion, a throbbing bass synth and a minimalist melody set against another cinematic soundscape. Stanford beefs up the rhythms and intensity before slowing the pace down and relaxing the mood introducing a new piano motif and varying the trance rhythms to maintain the listener's interest throughout. 'Aurora' evokes a more mellow, warmer atmosphere with a melancholic piano refrain set against a backdrop and rhythm which reminded me stylistically of Jan Hammer. The changes in pace and trance embellishments retain Stanford's distinctive identity and 'Aurora' is probably the most commercial cut on the album. 'Sea of Tranquility' and 'Far Centaurus' returns to the more familiar style, voice samples, layers of trance rhythms, percussion and synth lead lines. Finally, 'The Edge' begins with a rainstorm, rhythm guitar and resonant piano melody and by now the listener knows what to expect, but the guitar gives added character and the high quality is maintained throughout.
'Deep Space' reminded me of Patrick O'Hearn's work, without being obviously derivative, and this is intended as a compliment. However, what sets Stanford apart from the comparisons I have made is his unselfconscious use of compelling trance rhythms to augment his themes. This is an album I have returned to many times and it improves in stature with every play. (SR)
http://www.synthmusicdirect.com/deepspac.cfm
FILE INFORMATION
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Number of Tracks: 6 [the tracks are not separated]
NOTE: I just posted the lossless version of this in alt.binaries.sounds.lossless.new-age, and there is a cue file with that post ;^)
Total Duration: 54:51
Total Size: 125 MBs (including scans, and nfo)
Parity Archive: Yes, 7%
Ripped By: NMR
Files Created on: NMR
Ripped With: NMR
Encoded At: 320k CBR / 44.1 KHz
ID3 Tags: Yes
NFO Created: 3 May 2015
Tracklist
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01) The Watchers
02) Deep Space
03) Aurora
04) Sea Of Tranquility
05) Far Centaurus
06) The Edge
POSTING
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Reposting Rules: Please wait at least 48 hours before requesting additional pars or reposting. Also, try deleting then reloading your headers first. Send any notes/comments to the .new-age group or I won't see it.
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