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Usually when I think of Cape Verde, I think of lively upbeat world music hybrids which the Cape Verde Islands are known for; groups like Boy Gé Mendes, Tito Paris, Jose "Zeca" Neves, Nana Matias, etc. One may find it difficult to imagine a accomplished new age and ambient music composer coming from these distant African shores. Well, actually, Vasco moved there from Portugal with his family when he was nine years old. "Apeiron" is the eighth album produced and performed by this prolific composer. He began his recording career in 1991 with 'Atlantic Memories' followed by 'Quiet Moments', 'Ritual Periférico', 'Eternal Cycle', 'Island of the Secret Sounds', 'Sublime Delight', and 'Danças de Câncer' which was reviewed here in AMP last year. Vasco has a great website, which is only written in his native, Portuguese located at the URL following this review. Fisheye Music Project, a studio and production company based in New York recently finished the production of ApEiRoN. Raphael Crohas did the preproduction in Cape Verde in December 1999, and then the mastering and the excellent graphics were done in New York City by Stefan Heger, with assistance by Paul Hughes this year. This enjoyable album begins with "Desert Atmosphere", which expresses an initial urgency, which effortlessly draws us into Martin's rich, musical world. It builds upon itself until we are gradually lifted into the next piece, "Cercling Mountains". This piece, which spans almost seven minutes, creates an intoxicating backdrop to inner meditation and journeying. Any music that can be so transportive, must be great! This is followed by "Ocean Spiral Movements", a short piece that fascinates and surprises the listener, as it prepares us for the next piece. "Ceu Enevoado" which is a languid short piece, coccooned within a wash of underlying sound, reminding me of some of the better soundtrack work of Vangelis. "Flor Amarela", the longest cut on the album, stands out above all others presented, allows Martin's compositional talents to shine, defining him as more than just another composer with a synthesiser. "Middle Atmosphere" consists of varied and interesting instrumentation, light and dark images meld, to form a strong individual musical statement. "Arco do Nordeste" is an impressive work - in both it's diversity and density. The expansive tones of "Terceira Atmosfera" displays an imagination and sensitivity that's striking. "Alauda Razae", one of the albums eight-nine minute excursions, is both fluid and melodic in execution. A sense of grandeur and import is implied, and propels us in to "Harmonic Lines", the shortest piece on the album. As melody emerges from the sea of atmospherics, it swells and gracefully recedes as the final cut, "Morna de Novembro" unfolds. "Apeiron' is an ambitious
recording, and one that is successfully realised by its
composer. Majestic and evocative, the album is handsomely
rendered by Martins' vision and abilities. This,
consequential proves Vasco Martins to be a masterful artist
of considerable originality. You are unlikely to hear many
album's in this genre that are as consistent, mature, and
totally immersive. Review by Ben Kettlewell information: |
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Vasco Martins
