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Veteran synth musician David Wright has an
extensive discography stretching back over 25 years. Among his earliest
released music was the album Romancing the Moon on cassette, a medium
which those of us beyond a certain age will remember! In 2001 it got a CDR
release, but is now available as a 24 bit remastered CD which includes 15
minutes of bonus material. Of course, David isn't the only person to have made
instrumental music inspired by and themed around the moon. John Kerr's 1998
album Moon is another notable example and one of my favourite works by
him.
Moonmaiden kicks off Romancing with
an easygoing mid-tempo beat and a melody playing out over sheets of synth pads.
Though the track is relatively simple in construction there's a reasonable
amount of detail going on, and some wistful refrains were vaguely reminiscent
to me of a piece on Jeff Wayne's musical version of War of the Worlds.
The second and title track feels more
reflective with string effects and some tones used in the previous track. It's
a chilled piece and would be ideal for listening to with a special person while
looking at a bright nighttime moon.
Taking us to the weird and wonderful worlds
of sleep is the longest track, Moonlit Dream, which clocks in at over 15mins.
Some of the sounds and form of playing reminded me of a fairground organ, and
the shimmering, stuttering rhythms accompanied by washes and subdued voice
effects are atmospheric and hypnotic. Personally I found the piece to be too
long and my finger going to the skip to next track button.
On a few tracks the pace is stepped up. On
Twilight Rider a rhythm keeps the beat going while flute style refrains add the
melody. This is one of the tracks where what seem like synthesiser presets,
particularly in the rhythm section, make it feel somewhat old fashioned.
Thankfully David is a sufficiently skilled musician that it doesn't across too
novice-like.
Surprisingly we're taken to the east in
Full of Eastern Promise with sounds and a playing style that suggests images of
walking through a busy souk with its bustle and colourful goods for sale. Yes,
it showcases the artist's ability to experiment, but is rather incongruous in
comparison to the rest of the album. In contrast the final two tracks – Dancing
Under Moonlight and Timeloop – bring us back to modernity with a nod to dance
music. Both pieces are upbeat and have a groove, and the last track has an
especially positive vibe with celebratory synth refrains which will surely get
your feet tapping.
For aficionados of David's music this
re-release will make a welcome addition to their collection. As someone who has
several of his albums it was interesting to hear his trademark tones and styles
from such a long time ago, and to see how his compositions and playing style
has matured.
Reviewed by Dene Bebbington for Ambient Visions
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