Tony Drake - Texture

Truly a masterpiece. Tony Drake also plays piano, bass and various percussive instruments on this fabulous audio journey. This album is one fine example of the possibility of a perfect blend between played and programmed music.

Tony Drake describes his sound as "music for the imaginary film". "Texture" definitely has a soundtrack feel to it, mixing such different elements as classical piano, melancholic string pieces, ethnic percussion and flutes, slightly funky bass guitars and electronic drumsounds and pads. The album slightly moves on and develops from track to track. Each piece has a very unique sound and is perfectly in place in the "big picture".

It's the sheer quality of each piece that keeps this album together and makes it so dense, not the mere order of the tracks. Before I got hold of my original copy, I had a CDr of this album on which the order of the tracks was completely mixed-up. When I got the original, I was flattered by the way the same tracks I already knew would create a completly different listening experience when played in the original order Tony Drake intended them to be heard in. I still listen to both "versions" these days.

"Texture" glows with haunting presence from the beginning right on to the end - no matter where you start or in which order you listen to it.

Ambient music in the best sense of the word. No wishy-washy ethno clichées here - only a beatiful, emotional and deeply spiritual listening experience beyond any musical, geographical or genre boundaries that takes you on a journey you'll treasure and won't forget.

Essential listening.