“Random rhythms that surprise both by their permutations and their slow evolutions”
1 No Inhibitions 22:41
2 In the Blink of an Eye 13:41
3 A Glimmer of Hope 12:53
4 Rise to the Occasion 8:33
5 Collide 11:22
(CD/DDL 69:19) (V.F.)
(Berlin School)
After the frisky and spectral Lost on an Island of Adventure, Create continues his exploration of rhythms, sometimes sober or complex, that breathe in astral nebulosity. Mastered by Ron Boots, IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE is divided in 2 parts: one live and one in studio. An interesting approach allowing us to seize the structural evolutions of Stephen Humphries' compositions.
Let's start with the live tracks. The opening of No Inhibitions is presented with twisted waves that undulate over circular reverberations. A lyrical synth, with fluty breaths, circulates through this static sound mass, adding a contrasting melody in a tide of sound effects that spew industrialized dust. Around the 4th minute a heavy sequence emerges to ignite a rhythm with constant sinuosity that sneaks with heaviness on velvety layers, covering the movement of apocalyptic serenades. From then on, a superb parade of synth harmonies flies over this bouncing rhythmic structure to recross the initial movement in the middle. An atmospheric pause before resuming a more biting rhythm on sharper synths. Collide presents a sequencer structure with a stealthier and rather heavy approach and whose cadence increases under the multiple layers of synth where androgynous vocals flirt with brief harmonious appearances. The intro of the title-track comes straight out of No Inhibitions' spirit. The rhythm settles quicklier on a sequencer with circular keys that undulate among brief bursts of a sharp keyboard. The beat is heavy and topped with a floating synth wave and waltzing threads. They wrap around a more aggressive structure that is also fueled by solid solos that get lost in the multi-layers of a synth with colors as aggressive as the sequencer's variations. A good track with unexpected rhythmic directions that is marked by this sound unique to Create. Quieter and dreamier, A Glimmer of Hope floats on chiming chords that curl up in a floating synth. Percussions ignite a rhythm that rolls along breathlessly and maintains itself in a static form. A rhythm fed by this synth with corrosive solos and hellish loops that stagnate in a very electronic sea. Rise to the Occasion begins with a choir of a mellotron wandering through cosmos. The rolling percussions stimulate a light rhythm that forms a strange cha-cha-cha dance.
IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE walks a road already defined by Create's signature in EM. An album with random rhythms that surprise both by their permutations and their slow evolutions, especially on Rise to the Occasion. Another good album that will certainly please the fans of Create, Air Sculpture and Klaus Schulze, which is quite new for Stephen Humphries.
Sylvain Lupari (September 8th, 2009) *****
Available at Groove nl
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