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The recent passing of California-resident and musician Loren Nerell, a free spirit composer who built bridges between Balinese gamelan, tribal and electronic rhythmic ambient music, prompted me to visit another recording of his. Gamelan (an ensemble of instruments, mostly tuned percussion similar to xylophones) again makes a strong presence on “The Gong Prophet”. The latter turns out a dreamy, hallucinogenic as well as quite complex excursion into alternate ambiences with a good dash of traditional ensemble music of Indonesia thrown in for which Loren enlisted various guest musicians to join him on this sonic journey. It’s six tracks of ethno-ambient address the ethereal, minimalistic, exotic and slight feverish: aside Nerell’s distinct style it also reminded me of the output of Forrest Fang as well as Robert Rich’s work (e.g. “Last Gamelan” ft. Erik Wollo). The minimal structured frack “Hare Drums” -done with Forrest Fang- found at the album’s tail is one fusing intrinsic beauty and ethereal perfumes beautifully. Rating: 3.5 stars + |
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Website: steveroach.bandcamp.com You can see what reviews I have done of this artist on the Loren Nerell artist page.
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