Release Date: November
1, 2016
Label: Independent
I covered Erik Scott’s Spirits
two years ago and I was very impressed with it. Anyone with the experience of Scott can accomplish some breathtaking
jaw dropping sounds. And it all starts with his bass.
After a long period of illness and his
eventual recovery he found the true meaning of faith and resiliency. His music
has that kind of warmth and resilience as well. In The Company of Clouds gives
you a hint what this music is all about.
The title of the first track puts it into
perspective if you did not know what he went through on a physical, spiritual
and emotional level. “Nine Lives” squeezes out as much emotion and god given
talent the man has. He makes his bass an all purpose tool to create ambient and
contemporary instrumental music. In other words, new age with some spice to
keep it sharp and focused. The track serves as an introduction to what is
coming next and it certainly warmed my soul. It is significant because of the
title and meaning it holds for the artist but the music is poignant as well.
“Seven Veils” is another incredible track.
I featured it on Rate The Tracks. Erik’s bass
is hypnotic and Jaco-like. Yes this man is one of the very best bass players
you will ever have the pleasure to hear. The spiritual connotations are evident
by the track name. Once the masterful Scott takes the bass and becomes one with
the music he begins transferring his heart and soul into the sounds he creates.
“Women of Avalon” (the longest track coming in at 5:45) is
another stroke from the master on the canvas of your life. With the great Steve
Hunter on guitar and Scott leading the way with his finely tuned instrument, it
is an unbeatable combination of talents. When I say tuned in I mean more than
just a guitar tuning, I mean dialed in, laser focused and purposeful use of his
chosen instrument.
So three tracks in and I am feeling as
light as a feather, my energy level rises and my faith in the process of life is
once again restored. There should be a genre called contemporary restoration
music. As the music continues it does not waiver for a millisecond, it just
keeps offering you more tastefully well done instrumentation. The effect is like
the high tide of an ocean pulling you out and you are willing to go along for
the ride. The tracks are dissimilar and that is what keeps you tuned in to all
the wonderful sounds and feeling this fine release can offer.
You it did again Erik, you are a star
among stars, your light will never dim it will just keep getting brighter with
each successive release. Perhaps now that he is back full strength we can look
forward to another album next year, I hope so because In The
Company of Clouds was another chance for me to get to know the
artist via the music. This is a superb rendering of contemporary instrumental
music.
5/5
Stars
Key Tracks: Nine Lives, Seven Veils, Women of Avalon
Tracks:
1. Nine Lives
2. Seven Veils
3. Women of Avalon
4. Breathing Room
5. Victory
6. Open Door
7. First Cup
8. Waves
9. The Long View
Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
October 29, 2016
Founder of:
Review
Provided By New Age Music Reviews
Fine review of a very beautiful album. Personally when listening to the album I am reminded of other bass greats with new age leanings like Patrick O'Hearn and Michael Manring. But anyway this is definitely an album that brings me back to the golden days of new age in the early 80s when the genre was inventive and daring :-)
ReplyDelete