Search - Richard Bone :: Saiyuji

Old Tech meets New Tech - a joining of philosophies

medievalcrusadesbabe | Ohio USA | 11/02/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Richard Bone's background is in a variety of musical genre which includes jazz, but he is all about electronica. And his discography is impressive, with some wonderful works of electronica soundscapes and impressionistic moods. His approach is one not unlike the beat poets of the 60s, following his own drummer, coming up with some very imaginative and substantial works.



This is the final installment in the three part work started with Disorient and continued with The Reality Temples. Like the previous works that connect with Oriental Mysteries and Western Philosophies, the name of this work Saiyuji is taken from a Buddhist temple in Singapore.



This CD contains nine tracks, for a total play time of about an hour. This disk also includes two videos of the tracks included. The individual compositions are built on actual analog synthesizers. He then creates "old technology meets new technology" in the works and overlays each composition with contemporary beats and world rhythms and instrumentation contrasting the analog synthesizer beats.



Highlights include "My Indelicate Star" which starts with the old, familiar analog synthesizer we remember from early synthesizer works; the structured rhythm of zero and one that we became familiar with from older master works. Added to this is the familiar sound of analog synthesizer "strings" playing wistfully against the beat. This is over layered with Richard Bone's spacey keyboard structures to create a very obvious blend of the older technology in harmony with the new. A very lovely work masterly crafted.



Also "Improbable Earth" which starts out with the now familiar bass zero-one synthesizer beat and moves into the piano melody. This piece is more defined by the zero-one beat than any other rhythm, as it floats on the border of space music, being defined rather than allowed to drift freely. A nice contrast is offered and it is very original in design.



The videos that are included "are from a continuing series of ambient visualization by Richard Bone". The one for By Any Other Name is a series of slow motion/stop action images of roses in bloom. The other included video is for the track called Improbable Earth. The website has a third video for Aquaville.



I always find Richard Bone's works to be original, very well structured and enjoyable to listen to. This CD does not fail in any of these categories. This is ambient at its most innovative. It can be played to be appreciated, yet it still maintains the ability to blend with the background creating a peaceful soundscape for your environment. It is always a pleasure to hear new creations from Richard Bone. mafoster"