Search - Pete Namlook :: Air 2

Visit the different places of our world through thought

Barry Kester | Canada | 10/10/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Look, you either like this musical genera or you do not; I personally do and "Air 2" is a quitesential album for the ambient genera. It has great breadth in texture, yet it maintains a cohesion of sounds.The premise: "Travel without moving".Historically, Pete Namlook has been overly prolific for my tastes. At times his music can sound thoughtless or overly experimental (whatever that means.) I despise dishing out $20 on repetitive ambient drivel.In my mind, "Air 2" is Pete Namlook's best work. It's an exercise regiment for your 10 billion nerve cells. It has nothing superfluous, yet it not predictable.In one hour the album seemlessly evokes 11 trips using 11 tracks, some short, some long, ergo the album has been subtitled "Travelling without moving". Habitually the album iterates between passively unintrusive to demanding of attention. All songs evoke tangable emotions. At times, it's irksome and disorientating, other times you literally fly. I swear I have an episode where I'm having indian tea with an imaginary turkish friend, Alev.Musically, the instrumentation is diverse: lute, metallic wind chimes, middle east riq, rain maker, pan flute, timpani, flamanco guitar, diggerdo, et. al. Coupled with the background voices in numerous languages and *etheral synthesizer*, it is an impressive work.The climax are both track 5 and 10. Both tracks rely heavily on the synthasizers nack at making you feel like you are crusing through space. Albiet with 5, you cruise with abandon. The shimmering textures, the tonality changes and the energy make track 5 my personal choice. Track 10 is classic Pete Namlook style. His variation on a theme using the synthesizer is very good."Air 2" AKA "Travelling without moving" is well worth your pocket book. I suspect it will be a staple in anyones classic ambient collection... one day."