Asura
"Lost Eden" CD
TV
Matters
Genres: electro, chillout, World
Nov 29 - Dec 5 2004 |
If you can get over the fact that it sounds like a Pure Moods
compilation, you should be able to find a lot to like on Asura's
Lost Eden. This is a chillout album, for sure - but it
isn't lame or bland; Asura is remarkably talented at combining
feet-moving electronica with ambient atmospherics. Lost Eden
takes sounds from many sources (at times it's Jarre-esque, at
other times it sounds like it's swiping effects from the Survivor
theme song.) While I can't shake the Pure Moods feeling,
I can still enjoy what is otherwise a tight and professional selection
of smooth electro. Ethnic vocal melodies are the major focus on
this album (Turkish, African, and Guinean voices are used), while the
electronic elements work to adapt the sounds into a relaxed, soothing
backdrop. Only on the strangely charged "Incoming"
does the formula change up a bit. For the most part, however,
this is a relaxed bit of "World music" infused chillout techno. 78%
Fun Fact: Asura's label, TV Matters,
produces music specials for PBS - it was responsible for The
Irish Tenors.
Matt Shimmer [Vitals:
9 tracks, distributed by the
label, released 2003] |