Monday, 27 May 2019

Chronos 'Israeli Connection 33' Review





Artist: Chronos



Title: Israeli Connection 33



Label: Cosmicleaf Records




Released: 22nd May 2019










The inspiration for this album began for Nick Klimenko (Chronos) at the chill out event Shiwaya Sound System in Tel Aviv. Not only collaborating with artists from across the world but implementing his and their voices and organic instruments to the recordings.


The album begins with ‘Sea Front In’ a classical style piece that I imagine is representing a seaside organ accompanied by a field recording in that environment. However, a music box is springing to mind in my case. This is followed by ‘One Chronology’ a collaboration with Shivanam where angelic synth voices meld with guitar slowly building to the inevitable drop. The overall feel is not a million miles away from some of the summery trance of the late 90’s, just slowed down a tad in places. Next up is ‘Cells In Harmony’ a collaboration with label mates Zero Cult, which begins in an aboriginal style accompanied by haunting synths which builds and drops into a more ambient passage employing the Japanese Nagoya Harp played by Nick himself.


Moving on with ‘Even Devil once an Angel (Part 2) which commences with a dark brooding almost industrial atmosphere and slow heavy bass juxtaposed with lighter harmonic synths. Next in line is the Nagoya remix of ‘Erbium’ which again follows a similar pattern with perhaps a more IDM atmosphere rather than industrial.


The pace moves up a notch on ‘Relict’ a collaboration with Okolosna, a more groove orientated psy piece with a chilled out oriental breakdown. The next two pieces maintain the more groove orientated approach with label mates Essence Project and Earth Connect. The Essence Project differs as the tail end re-explores the acoustic beach vibe encountered earlier in the album, While Earth Connect employs piano notes.


The album takes a more eastern approach on ‘Svara’ a collaboration with Yestegan Chay, who plays the Bulbul (a stringed instrument played on the lap, also known as the Indian banjo). This is followed by the ambient mix of ‘Cells in Harmony’ which takes a lighter approach with eerie synths, bubbling fx, eastern voices alongside the guitar. Finally, we finish on ‘Sea Front Out’ which maintains the same feel just splitting the field recording to come in after the music.


Reviewed by Woodzee

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