Kala Hari
​Into A New Dawn E.P.
Uxmal Records


Three vast tracks make up this immense E.P., opening with spaced out abstractions of new-age technology and distant birdsong. A majestically wavering harmonious synthesiser releases the tension before some crisply reverberated nature sounds begin to take the lead. The notion of peace rides aloft the billowing waves of gentle rhythm. Lounging peaks sit quietly while softly creeping above the break line, forming texture and contour, culminating in the addition of melody.


Similar in terms to the Kalahari Desert, in Africa, the sound is long and as it stretches into haze obscured horizons, rolling dunes of new direction bring effect driven nudges into slow tangents of sound. Electronic with nature taking a central role in the use of sample and artistic exploration makes a pretty fusion, balancing the music on a finely tuned equilibrium which leans in a three hundred and sixty degree shallow tilt as the progression evolves.


The E.P. works well for the time it takes, the triple dose of synthetic ambience and abstraction makes up nearly half an hour. During this time, we're greeted with a multitude of digitally crafted mixtures of rhythm and tune which flow well from one to another. It is an artistic selection, Into A New Dawn can be really listened to and appreciated bar by bar. The depth and richness to the compositions create light but wholesome tones which cover all the listening places.  

Master Margherita
Hippies With Gadgets
Peak Records


Heady phasers shift from left to right across the stereo experience in atmospheric and vibrant slow waves before a tribal drum beat christens the music with an idea of scope and direction. Organic rhythms are soon accompanied by birdsong as the droning ambience swells with distant thunder and shimmering sounds. Some technology pokes its head through the haze and some flow is added to the soundscape, contouring melodic slow dances of intent around the repeating and relaxing percussion drift their way into a progressive tribal trance.


The fusion of ethnic elements with electro synthetic experimental waveforms makes the music sparkle with a dualism that is well balanced and interesting. A moment to allow the body to adjust to the pace is recommended, the evolution of sound is distinct yet undramatic, leaving us as listeners to absorb the motion of the compositional journey bar by bar. Better to not try and second guess or predict what is coming next, as the array of effects and frills to hand simply are astonishing. Nothing is left to fill the gaps, everything is made for where it is.


Master Margherita resembles“a deep, purple, velvet sea”, according to his website, which to me suggests he may have grown up on a bit of the Purple. Although nothing like Smoke on the Water, the music of the double M does remind me of how it would actually look. An ethereal quality of magic and subtle ghostly charm reverberate around the productions.


As an actively performing musician, Margherita has utilised his digital instruments to do a bit of multi-tasking. He generously uploads regular podcasts of his performances, which can be downloaded from here. The album Hippies with Gadgets is a laid back summer groove that can satisfy the room quite easily. It's like a day at the seaside, with a bit of spending money and plenty of good looking people to talk to. A blissed out sound affair with a twist of salted lemon.  

Click here to look at modern gadgets for hippies everywhere

Dave Wine
El Reencuentro
Self released


Delicious forms of loose wrappings adorn the cymbal heavy beats that strike the chord to start the album. A jazz psychedelic element rides high while a rock n roll influenced four piece craft their way into abstraction. Lyricless but full of story telling sensations, a mishmash of guitar, drum, and bass surge through flowing rhythms and melodies in an almost punk scented flurry of mayhem. There are definitely talents to be heard in the ruckus but its choppy water with many places where the meat boils away from the bone. Easy to cut, easy to chew, but maybe a little over done for many.


Monumental tracks sit back to back in a five stage production, every individual segment framing a chapter mark in the sonic discovery. Everything changes and pivots on leaning gyroscopic swivel points which lean over and brush against modes and keys while the continuum of pace is kept in full thrust by a seemingly never tiring drummer. Creative fills keep everything ultra-interesting while a pumping bass holds down a free flowing guitar.


Dave Wine being the keyboard player takes the centre point for much of the album, it is all about him considering the name of the band, but there is plenty of room for everyone else to be heard and strut their progressive abilities. Air fills the gaps between phrase and melody, nothing stays the same, there is no homogeneous feel to this album but there is a consistent reaching for the pinnacles of creative expression.


Busy and noisy, but fresh and invigorating, El Reencuentro may not be to everybody's taste. There stands a giant gap between this and viable popular music, but that's why it's worth having a go. Perhaps never to be played again, or maybe to open up new realms of musical experience and doorways to inspirational conceptual art, breaking the rules is fun and we cannot overlook that vital factor when indulging in over kilter music like this.  
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