Indra - Maharaj (2006)

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Indra - Maharaj (2006)

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Now here is something slightly different from your typical classic EM. Try to imagine a cauldron of sound that combines elements of global trance with occasional sequencer elements thrown in. It is these sequencer elements that help lean the album towards your more typical EM stylings.

There are no lengthy tracks to be found here, none of which exceed 6 minutes. This is music that has a distinct Eastern feel throughout, although it is in the most part tune free, relying primarily on chords to generate its themes. However it is bound to placate those into the more 'chill-out' rhythm and ambient styled music. This is exemplified on the first track, which is the trance edit version of 'Confession', a vocal orientated piece with a decent array of effects, rhythm loops and sequencer patterns all full of eastern promise. However there are only two vocal tracks on this recording, the latter one leaning somewhat, ahem, towards the erotic. Late night listening……in extremis!

'El Gringo' enters the vocal free zone and is slightly less 'trancey' than the first offering. It offers all of the elements of the previous piece but with its additional undercurrents it helps remind listeners that you are entering familiar EM territory. The sound source for the next piece 'In to the Night' is an electric piano, here being presented in a delayed looped pattern fashion. A percussion loop then takes hold over several special orientated effects. Looped undercurrents can be heard throughout this piece before the whole thing fades out momentarily. An analogue styled theme appears over further obscure underlying effects.

A strange sequencer pattern breaks through into track 4, 'I'm Home Alone'. A percussion loop enters over what sounds like a sequencer styled theme. Quite a bizarre piece which manages to remain in obscurity due to its underlying effects.

White noise graces the introduction segment of 'Germinal' at just over 5 minutes. Two contrasting sequencer patterns emerge, one at high pitch, the other bass orientated. Light percussion elements are added just before the first minute, eventually evolving into a steadier rhythm loop. A further sequencer pattern emerges over occasional white noise effects. Further resonant textures are added creating what is essentially a tuneless piece. 'Bella Donna' begins with effective chord stabs. A mid tempo percussion loop is then added over occasional hybrid effects. Further light percussive elements merge before a resonant sequencer pattern appears, becoming slightly mysterious throughout its duration.

A high pitched sequencer graces the start of 'Le Jeu Du Maitre' and with some decent choral type chord structures, this is a piece fixated on the serene and meditational side of things. A sampled percussion loop takes hold over further spacial textures and the inclusion of a string chord theme, gives the piece a most haunting feel.

'Breathless' not completely surprisingly starts with a voice sample. A fast resonant sequencer pattern kicks in closely followed by a percussion loop. Haunting chords are then added as the piece drives almost into dance territory. Both male and female voice samples are included later before the sequencer pattern becomes more prominent in the mix.

'Cutting Edge' is essentially the final track on the album as such, before the rather obscure final bonus cut. Light rain effects start things off here with a mid range drone adding atmosphere. A bass sound is introduced creating by now a most dark and menacing piece. By the first minute a rhythm loop enters over strange undercurrents before a bass sequencer pattern emerges later. In a slight change of direction a fast, light synth percussion element takes hold by the 3 minute mark but it is not long before the steady rhythm loop takes hold once again.

Track 10, well is a real oddity and with erotic voice samples throughout this piece I'm not too sure whether it is going to be appreciated by the hardened EM fans out there. However if you chose to steer clear of this final track there is a gem of an album in there that crosses the boundaries of trance and global ambient stylings. A recommended listening experience especially for, ahem late nights.