Description
Javi will be a new name to many but he has, over the last few years, been perfecting his art. In 2005 he put his ‘toe in the water’ with a self-produced album ‘Impasse’. It was well received amongst sequencer nuts. This early promise was not a ‘flash in the pan’ as ‘Light Echoes’ is a real cracker. The title makes it sound as if the album might be rather mellow but nothing could be further from the truth as it is a hard-core sequencer belting epic where his complex sequences are allowed to let rip almost throughout. Swirling sounds bring up images of some strange alien power plant. A rapid sequence spews forth. Almost instantly another joins it. It is as if they are chasing each other at warp speed, mutating this way and that, one sequence ducking and diving whilst the other anticipates its every move. It is all so exciting. A lead motif adds that bit of mystery like a God looking down at a battle raging beneath. Power chords are layered over the top as if the divine being is participating in the action itself. Calmness then descends a little as some lovely flutey synth is deployed. The sequences never depart however, instead they retreat to the background, regrouping. They rise through the mix again, manically surging this way and that in a very complex series of twists and turns. It is if they are swelling like hurricane force gusts of wind to then subside from time to time to let more delicate melodies appear. We move on from the opening title track to ‘Two Toned Rock on Mars’. It starts rather moodily before another lightning fast swirling sequence takes us into hyperdrive. A more melodic and slightly slower one adds extra interest whilst in complete contrast a rather wistful lead line imparts a little softness. As with the first track extra pulsating flourishes augment the main sequences in an ever changing maelstrom of notes. You can just let yourself be taken along with it or concentrate, analysing all that is going on. I have used both approaches and found the deeper I became involved with the music the more I got out of it. Unlike on the opener the sequences are actually allowed to depart altogether with about ten minutes to go but even during this atmospheric interlude I was drawn deeply in. Javi’s complex but highly exciting sequencing style can be heard again on ‘Interpherometry’. At first the sequence just raises its head above a sea of drones but quickly subsides. Shimmering lead lines take over for a minute before being banished as the sequence returns once more, crashing forth in the most wonderful bass laden way. Massed mellotron sounds add to the feeling of unstoppable power. Fresh laser sharp leads fly over the top becoming more manic as we progress. More sequences are deployed. The way all the lines of pulsations meld together is masterly. The mellotron returns and yet more syncopation increases the excitement still further. Gradually things wind down for an atmospheric finish allowing us to recover our composure in time to press the play button once again. I loved this album. (DL) ;\ ‘\’
