Rainbow Serpent - Pulse
(2000, Manikin Records MRCD
7044)
Synth Music Direct (UK)
Rainbow Serpent have been rather prolific of
late but have still managed to keep up the quality. In fact if anything
they go from strength to strength developing their style which takes
Berlin School influences (particularly Klaus Schulze) making full use of
modern production techniques but at the same time infusing them with a
most definite 'feel' all of their own.
Ominous cosmic atmospherics chatter from the speakers as 'Pulse
Trancemission' sets the scene for the journey to come. Appropriately a
pulse beats out over ethereal pads. At seven minutes a strong sequence
attracts the attention and develops brilliantly. A stunning Schulze type
lead line vies for top billing and it becomes obvious that yet again
Rainbow Serpent are not going to disappoint. The sound of the lead changes
as we delve deeper into the track often disappearing altogether to let the
sequence and underpinning melodic pads weave their spell. 'Part 1' follows
smoothly on (this is effectively one continuous track) with a complex high
register sequence taking over as the backbone of the track. More Shulzian
leads are used to great effect. The four minute mark brings some great
drum flourishes which come and go rather than providing a constant groove.
It reminded me of 'Mirage',' Moondawn' and 'Body Love' all rolled into one
but condensed down to just thirteen minutes, quite an achievement.
The pace quickens just after half way through as we hurtle towards 'Part
2'. A 'splashing' sequence maintains the quality from before and a rhythm
falls into line beside it getting the foot tapping and the head nodding
but at the same time the mood is on the melancholy side due to the very
effective use of synth washes in the background. 'Part 3' has more strange
atmospherics but almost immediately a nice beefy sequence fires up, a
snare drum giving urgency. The sequence becomes even more thunderous and
is complemented by another which is just as devastating. Wonderful stuff-
crank up the volume and feel the house shake! 'Part 4' is a gentle
bridging section giving us chance to get our breath back before 'Alien
Nature'. Some strange vocoded effects are used which I assume are supposed
to be in an alien language. This is OK but its repeated use does get a bit
grating by the end. A stuttering rhythm is used well but even better is
the swirling sequence, which comes in about a third of the way through the
track. Though I would have liked it to have been a little higher in the
mix.
'Part 5' begins with a high hat sequence but at around three minutes a
bass line and sequence blast through. A minute later another sequence
comes in and more Schulzian lead lines surge over the top finishing the
album off energetically. (DL)
