This disc is a new age album that has a lot of keyboards and atmospheric textures. It’s quite pretty and relaxing. Like a lot of new age music it’s also a bit monolithic. Still, there’s nothing offensive about it. Steve Howe guests on over half of this set. In fact, a later reissue of the album was put out showing this as a Steve Howe album – no doubt due to his larger name. I’ve used the same track by track review in both this review and that one – because the music is the same.
This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2009 Volume 5 at lulu.com/strangesound.
Track by Track Review
A Venetian Passage I love the main melody on this piece. The cut reflects new age styled keyboard sounds in a lot of ways. This piece doesn't grow quickly, but it does grow. By around the three minute mark, Steve Howe is bringing some hints of country music to the table. In a lot of ways, this is like something Synergy or Tangerine Dream might do. This is a very pretty and effective piece, if understated.
A Light Romance This is even more gentle and classical in nature. It’s quite pretty and very restive.
Passione Magica Howe’s role here is far more prominent. This has a lot of acoustic guitar in its midst and it’s a pretty and delicate piece of music. I like it because it represents a bit of a change.
The Substance Of Stars Keyboard dominated and very new age in nature, this is pretty and exceptionally sedate and slow moving.
Seraphim The first couple minutes of this are in a mellow keyboard dominated motif that reminds me a lot of Vangelis. Howe’s guitar enters after that and brings a bit of a jazzy edge to the proceedings.
The New Moon Another mellow track, this is pretty, but not all that different from a lot of the music on the set.
Sequential Fantasy Perhaps a bit more intricate, this keyboard number is quite pretty and a step up from the last one.
San Marco's Journey With flute, this is a more Celtic and organic track. Otherwise, it’s not that different from a lot of the music here.
