seven

"ancient technology" has been one of the more anticipated releases this year since I heard "unspeakable future outbreaks", the album that easily made my top 10 last year. it appears that since it's a nature records release, the band name on this release is passarani 2099 rather than simply passarani, but italian marco passarani is still the person behind the music.

inevitably there's a need to compare this release to "unspeakable future outbreaks". the difference at first is astonishing. previous album opened vast empty spaces of the night, it brought the listener in front of the mysterious unknown, still keeping the music amazingly "earthly" with the feelings and emotions that anyone can relate to. "ancient technology" creates different atmosphere, opening the window into the late afternoon of early spring. the air is cool, and the sun is already low, but evening shadows are still a long time away; the colors are soft and pure.

pure electronic sound of "ancient technology" is a lot lighter and softer than previous album; lots of strings and lighter analog elements are used together with breakbeats. minimal slightly distorted percussion is swirling and bubbling, mixing with beautiful melody. it could be called an idm version of vangelis, but more abstract, melancholic, clean and pure. the elements from the previous album could be found here, but they are altered to the point when only attentive listener can notice any kind of resemblance. funny analog sounds add more authentic touch to the music, delicate acupuncture of percussion mixed with string elements creates moments of quiet grace and sensuous beauty.

the music never breaks out of the quiet graceful state. it is self-content and perfect in its isolation; this passarani's work is very liberating and uplifting in the sense that it never pushes itself on the listener, never represses the feelings, rather provoking thoughts and creating pure emotions.

harder crispier sound of "fibonacci's curve" is followed by genuine grace of "el-kahira", crisp percussion is slowly transformed by waves of calm and gentle sound. all four tracks flow in one fluid motion and remain in the room even after the music has stopped.

this work is more dreamy than mysterious, it envelopes rather than opening empty spaces. this sheer beauty simply cannot be overlooked; the only complaint I have is the format - vinyl is not that easily acceptable for a wider audience that this musician deserves.