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Leama & Moor - Common Ground (2006) + 2 singles

17 Июн 2006, 13:06

Leama & Moor - Angle Series 1 CDr (2004)

Label:Lost Language
Catalog#:LOST 043 CDR
Country:UK
Style:Progressive House, Progressive Trance


Leama & Moor - Everything Matters 12'' (2006)

Label:Lost Language
Catalog#:LOST 055
Country:UK
Style:Progressive House, Progressive Trance


Leama & Moor - Common Ground (2006)

Label:Lost Language
Catalog#:LOSTCDLP 007
Country:UK
Style:Progressive House, Downtempo


6 июня этого года известный английский лейбл Lost Language выпустил свой 7-ой полноценный CD релиз (напомню, что мы уже выкладывали несколько релизов этого лейбла - Probspot - Organic Waveforms (2005), Space Manoeuvres - Oid (2005), Tilt - Explorer (2005)), которым стал долгожданный многими дебютный альбом проекта Leama & Moor (Andy Beardmore (Andy Moor) и Martin Smith (Leama)) Gommon Ground, выполненный, как сейчас модно, в виде микса. Вдобавок к новому альбому предлагаем вам послушать 2-а сингла от этого проекта.

Common Ground is the debut artist album from Marty Smith and Andy Moor. As a duo they have been working together since 1999, starting off co-writing tracks under the Leama guise such as Melodica and Requiem For A Dream before forming Leama & Moor. Under this name they have produced a series of remixes for artists as varied as Tiesto and Britney Spears leading to the release of their debut single, Shades Of Red/Blue in 2004. Andy Moor needs little introduction to trance fans having had huge success in the last year with his solo productions such as Halcyon and his phenomenally successful collaboration with Above & Beyond, Air For Life.
The album consists of 11 tracks mixed together in the form of a continuous mix. In Leama’s words “Even though the tracks are made separately in the studio, the album is written as one long session creating a vibe like an artist-set with a predefined plan and meaning to it, so that the listener can be taken on a more interesting journey rather than just playing separate tracks.”

The opener, Waterdrops, wouldn’t sound out of place backing a love scene on a film like Gladiator or Troy, haunting female vocals, lush pads and strings and a gentle beat give us wonderful intro to the album. This slips effortlessly into the second track, Hillside Climb, which is awash with their trademark floating melodies, a groovy electro bass line and a break beat backing. The transition into Coming Of Age is so smooth you barely notice it. This track is a six-minute ambient masterpiece. Reminiscent of classics such as the ambient mix of Melodica and Odessi – Moments Of Ambience (one of Smith’s old projects) this has gorgeous female vocal samples, wonderful melodies and sumptuous strings, again with a soft break beat backing. One of the best pieces of ambient music you’re likely to hear all year.
The album kicks into 4/4 life 15 minutes in. Neon Approach has a deep growling bass line, great percussion and a sweet guitar melody. Great track. This is followed by the lead single from the album, Everything Matters which made it onto In Search Of Sunrise 5. For me this is one of the weaker tracks on the album, it is a bit slow and lacking in energy, especially in the dull bass line. The chopped up vocal is rather lovely though and the effects on them are very clever.
Forever and New Division are two more break beat tracks, Forever builds layers of melodies and effects while New Division has a dirtier electro edge. Again strong, well produced tracks. At this point however the album is starting to lack a bit of variation, so Leama & Moor throw in the first of two full vocal tracks, Cry For Help. The male vocals you will either love or hate, they are quite poppy and verge on being Phil Collins-esque, especially backed with an acoustic guitar strum. Still, a nice change from the instrumental tracks and gives the album a human element.
After this we are thrust firmly onto the dance floor as Calling bursts out of the speakers. A driving beat and awesome pulsating electro tinged bass line certainly get your feat moving and over the top float gorgeous twinkling melodies and ethereal female vocals. The peak time action continues in the penultimate track, Waiting, another full vocal, this time from trance legend Jan Johnston. Not up to the standard of classics like Flesh or Skydive but then not much is but still, a good track. The album closes with Communication, another breaks track with a neat electro bass line and cool chopped up vocal then with a bleep, it’s over.

Conclusion - I feel Leama & Moor have succeeded in their aim with an album that is paced and builds perfectly from ambient beginnings to a full on dance floor peak and it flows so well you hardly notice the joins in the tracks. They have succeeded where many other trance artists have failed, to create an cohesive artist album that doesn’t sound like a disjointed selection of club tracks. I would have liked to hear more of the ‘Moor bass line’ and the vocal tracks could do with being a bit subtler but it is a varied album stamped with quality and awash with melody and atmosphere. It takes me back to Chicane at their peak and it is the perfect post-club soundtrack.