Cycle of Dust (4:29) sets things to swirling within a hazy veil of droning synth and flutes backed by steadily thumping rhythms. The blurry multitracked vocal-play of The Lattice is a little Bobby McFerrin-ish, though sweetly rendered; it gives way to purely instrumental beat-and-woodwinds activities. Percussion-powered Exis pounds and spatters through a light-and-lovely murk.

More electronic, prettily moody Abyss Crossed is enlivened by bouncy basslines and soft keys. Twinkly chimes are subjected thunderous drumbeats as Evidence of a Struggle shapeshifts into various modes in its short span. The dark serpentine explorations of Spinning Light are topped with seductive viola strands and ephemeral streams.

Another brief bout of effected vocalizations, Conversation with the Other (1:49) sings in unknowable tongues, to be swallowed by pattering druminess. The disc concludes with sweet Middle Eastern sunset ripplings of Solace, beatlessly whorling in rich evening warmth

Generally painted in crisp clean hues, the multi-ethno tableaus of earthtones are occasionally steeped in enticingly shadowy moments which keep the worldly soundscenes from being too brightly-lit. From gentle to rather-animated, the 14 zesty tracks from Archetribe make for transportive listening of the updated flying-carpet variety.

This review posted 04.07.02

AmbiEntrance © 2002-1997 by David J Opdyke 

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