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Like almost all of Rudy’s previous releases, I heard lots of demo tracks and sonic sketches for this one in an early stage. Once again, the aural balm draws inspiration from the natural world. Something that’s different though and noticeable quite soon (despite the music still being calm and soothing) is that Mr Adrian’s little sound effects, rattles and chimes, and other stuff are incorporated much more subtle on this album. The 66-minute “Beyond the Sleepy Hills”-created with sleep and healing in mind- kicks off familiar and comforting with a true invitation-type piece as the curtains are pulled back gently and the (sound)stage is revealed. The opening track features soft, simple piano in the vein of the entrance to “As Dusk Becomes Night” but here things turn out in a less cheesy manner. The piano heard here was actually improvised in one take, with just the drone already playing underneath it, with the other breathy pads added in a later stage. A few tracks on the 9-part recording are actually live improvisations, like “The Sleepy Hills 3”, and “The Sleepy Hills 6” (originally a 46-minute track that meandered way too much and had to be cut down to the current length) as well as the almost 9-minute “The Sleepy Hills 8” with its smooth swirling pads. The composer revealed the latter piece is based on the previously released tracks “Of Cloud and Mountains”, “Summer Fields”, and “Clouds Over Fields”. The ambient drift becomes imminent on the lovely 13-minute “The Sleepy Hills 6”: things are at ease here as we immerse in warm, atmospheric sonic scenery. “Beyond the Sleepy Hills’s” final track is a bit spooky, Robert Rich-like, but a pleasant soft, and sleepy feel shines through all the way. The raspy, almost unrecognizable flute surfacing on the 10-minute track with little bits of dissonant Brian Eno-like color to it as well as sustained bell sounds was actually intended to copy some of the raspy cello David Darling plays on “Darkwood”, turning out slightly menacing. |
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Website: www.rudyadrian.magix.net Website: rudy-adrian.bandcamp.com Website: www.spottedpeccary.com You can see what reviews I have done of this artist on the Rudy Adrian artist page Sonic Immersion © 2024 |
