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from AmbiEntrance 5/2002 upload
written by David Opdyke
http://www.spiderbytes.com/ambientrance/
V/A - 360° (The Foundry/Hypnos - 2002)
Telling a spacebound story in abstract soundscenes and (printed) words, various artists from in and around The Foundry contribute sonic chapters which are linked together by effective "interpolations" arcing in a 360° circle.
Appearing at the beginning and end, the "360° Theme" by Rhomb bookends the other 7 tracks (and their 6 shorter interpolations) with vaporous tonal movements and chimes against a hushedly streaming backdrop. eM emits unidentified floating ooze, "Reflective" of undulating currents of subaquatic radiance. Twinkling (and blooping) "Staars" fills the heavens with celestial/musical activities as imagined by High Skies (a.k.a. Mat Jarvis).
Shifty rhythms occur within the gently psychedelic maelstrom of "Zargasso" (8:56) by Sketch, where deep submersions receive drums, bass and organic influences. Amid a mechanical hum, " Embers'" by Thermal takes the microscopic route, seemingly diving into submolecular spaces, or are all those sputtering entities distant galaxies? Kim Cascone's "Superfield" ripples upon thousands of shifting granules, blipping out before the beginning comes round again.
Filled with stars both literal and imagined of earthly and cosmological origins, 360° takes sci-fi story-telling to another realm (for 51 minutes) as an experienced crew of travelers guide the tale into never-before-heard sectors. The assortment of voices assure that the "chapters" all sound a little differently, though each inclines towards indefinable spaces. Overall, a communal B.
From the The Foundry and Hypnos alliance.
This review posted 05.07.02 AmbiEntrance © 2002-1997 by David J Opdyke