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(A.D. Music)
You must own this album! Why you ask? Read on… A.D. Music (A.D.) came into being in 1989, a product of David Wright’s desire to create a label and creative space for melodic ambient music. In 1995 Wright joined forces with Robert Fox’s private FX Music label and the rest, as they say, is history. One of the most influential synth labels of all time, UK based A.D. has many talented artists on its roster, including its founders and their Code Indigo project, Bekki Williams and Robert de Fresnes. With over 15 years in the business and 46 releases to date, this little-known label has survived due to its integrity and consistent delivery of high quality synth music with real emotive power.
Synth music has a long and colourful 40 year history. Artists in the synth community are often criticised, their sound being labelled as dated and plastic. What the critics miss though, is the complex evolution of sound and method that synth has undergone since its 80’s synthpop days. It’s impossible to overvalue the influence that luminaries such as Vangelis, Kraftwerk and Jean Michael Jarre have had on shaping music across the whole spectrum of music. However, though these artists once epitomised the sound, synth has come along way since their contributions. These days, synth artists are largely concerned with creating rich aural atmospheres of texture and melody, heavily influenced by advances in technology.
A trance release may thus seem an abrupt digression for a label that specialises in synth atmospherics and indeed it is. However, upon listening to this release, one quickly comes to the realisation of just how similar the two styles are. The original versions of the tracks are rich and complex soundscapes typical of the labels’ “evolutionary ambient” philosophy. In a flash of inspiration, A.D decided to let various extremely talented producers take this already amazing music and infuse it with their own unique trance sound. The end result is an absolutely mind blowing collection of music. Neither the original artists nor the remixers are well known outside their particular niche-genres. This has no bearing on their skills though and it is thanks to the special talents of these artists that Trance A.D – The Remixes (T.A.D) shines as such a rare gem. It’s very exciting to listen to something so bold in its approach to redefining the boundaries! Released in 2002, T.A.D has all the markings of a timeless classic. Lets take a look at what’s on offer.
Tap the play button and you are immediately catapulted into the world of the sublime. The first track, Rune Casting, is simply mesmerising! From its haunting mythological chants to its soaring peaks of synthesizer glory, Rune Casting is a striking piece of music. M.A.T’s remixing work has turned this Robert de Fresnes’ tune into an inspiring piece of uplifting symphonic bliss. Subsequent tracks like Odessa, Labyrinth, OV1 and Listen are all truly captivating. It’s almost impossible to find trance music of this level of sophistication circulating around. Female keyboard artist Bekki Williams’ melodic Morpheus and Witchcraft’s haunting We Rest end off a journey through floaty harmonies and colourful space music. As warm and melodic as they are soft and shadowy, the first eight tracks take you for a trip to new age with a pulse.
The tempo kicks up a notch with M.A.T’s remix of Catalin’s Nandana on track nine with its deepest of deep grooves and glowingly warm analog harmonics which lead seamlessly into Queen of Hearts, one of Robert Fox’s finest works. Dramatic, soothing and melancholic, it really is quite superb! The metronomic rhythm and perfectly sequenced atmospherics are accentuated by Jon Schulze’s poetic remix finesse. Odessa Ambience, the spaced-out sister of Odessa, is another exquisite composition and my pick of the lot. Messier 87 breathes some of his cosmic remix dust into this already majestic song, taking the album to even greater heights! Luscious layer after layer of intricate sound finally eases into the final track, Code Indigo’s Code 14 (Kosmos Remix). T.A.D, it’s simply too beautiful for words!
Listening to this album is like flying through fluffy white clouds of abstracted lucidity, watching the echoes of previous civilisations’ consciousness floating gently around the swirling glow of your mind. Still reading? Go and buy it! Now!!
