Harmony in Diversity - TRYING - CD Review

[Ernie90125]

I ordered this CD from the Harmony in Diversity website when I heard it hd become available there. I had wanted to attend one of the shows(where it is also available) but sadly couldn't. (Please play Newcastle sometime!!!!) I wanted to support the band somehow, so this seemed like a good way.

To order the CD, check out there website, it has secure online payment through Paypal, which you don't have to be a member of to use, and the CD arrived 2 days later as promised. http://www.harmonyindiversity.com/

NO HARM (11:22)
The track begins with the sound of waves on a shoreline, before gently building up, the track is both an introduction piece to the whole album, as well as a piece in its own right. The track really becomes interesting when it having established itself, guitar improvisation comes to the forefront. This is a longer piece than expected, perhaps too long, as the guitar improvisation is certainly the highlight.

AFTER YOU (10:01)
The tracks have been mastered closely together, to as the last track ends it leads right into the next one. Again a slow build-up, perhaps too slow, as the second half of the piece is where some intriguing and oddly addictive bass becomes one of the highlights of the album. Ever such a slow fade out....and I miss the bass already.

MIND THE DOORS (7:48)
Ever such a slow fade in. This is another track the guitar takes the forefront in, whilst the bass and drums provide a constant backing, it is the guitar that really flourishes here. Then it ends. No fade, just the band seem to have stopped playing.

SWAYED BY NOTHING (3:05)
The shortest piece on the album. The piece is based on one basic melody, and the variations of it which can be improvised during the piece. This track may be the shortest because the trio had taken the melody as far as it could go. Its a nice piece.

THE KLINCHER (4:42)
This is a live recording, but there is no audience noise, and the production quality it the same as the other studio tracks on the album. Don't write this off as a live bonus track. The track is the perfect end to the album, focusing on more delicate improvisation. Ending with waves on a shoreline, the album has come full circle.


AFTER YOU is certainly my favourite track on the album. This is a talented trio, showing great potential for developing into the best improvisation band out there.

Fans of Peter Banks and Improvisation music will consider this an essential purchase. I am very pleased I have shown my support for this musical venture, it was an enjoyable thing to do !!!

[Ernie90125]

Oh yeah....and if the band want to quote any of this on their site or whatever, they can do so. My pleasure. (Credit to Daniel Earnshaw would be nice)

[Captain Squib]

Sounds very tempting! I must get my own copy soon!

[TheMiz]

Found this review from Sept 4th by Tom Hayes:


New improvisational trio set up by the duo of Pulse Engine with Peter Banks on guitar. Uh-huh, that Peter Banks. While I haven’t heard any of Pulse Engine’s work, it was interesting to find one review comparing them to a “latter day ambient Yes” and thus, they condescendingly noted, that at least some of it was listenable (they meant the non-proggy parts of course). So maybe not that strange the three found some symmetry between them. Peter Banks has lead a fascinating career (The Syn, Yes, Flash, Empire, solo work), and does not appear to have rested on his laurels, as the majority of his peers from the late 1960s have. Even so, the last thing I expected was an all out instrumental space rock album with Peter providing some wild unhinged guitar solos. The third track, ‘Mind the Door’, takes the cake. Maybe, as one musician mentioned to me many years ago, intense jams of that nature will make one nauseous after awhile. I cannot argue, but after 30 years of concentrated listening, I don’t seem to tire of them – especially when they’re of this caliber! My goodness, what a powerful jam, that ended too abruptly. Which is strange, given the relatively short duration of the CD (it’s barely over 37 minutes). Albums of this type can easily go double that length and still not be considered boring, since it’s the nature of that kind of music to drift endlessly, looking for that perfect riff or groove. It should also be noted that while there are some super fueled, high energy jams, much of the album does take an organic ambient approach, allowing for some nice contrast. As the band says “We make it up as we go along”. I’m for that!





http://gnosis2000.net/reviews/harmonyindiv.htm

[relayer4u]

Are there any teasers available Miz?

Sounds interesting and I'd like to have a listen before plunking down the cash.