AIR 4 - ELLE A DU SHELL

The Air albums are amongst Namlook's more accessible music and a sure resource for quality electronic music, offering an impressive blend of the different styles that Namlook usually performs, going from ambient, drone and techno to progressive electronic, jazz and ethnic music.

La Nuit de vos Rêves is pure Arabian bliss, using a sampled saz as a leading melodic motive through lush electronic sounds, where the analog Big Moog buzzes its way through samples bleeps and soft percussion. A personal favorite.

Clearing Your Head is a droning piece with a sinister didgeridoo at the heart. Eerie vocal whispers and sound effects complete the hot, sweaty and scary jungle effect.

On Her Way In is a typical Namlook techno track consisting of subtle sequences, Kraftwerk-inspired compute melodies and discreet electronic beats. Layers of lush Schulze-sounds and alternating melodies build a pleasant and catchy electronic piece.

Elle A Du Shell provides a lighter note. A mambo dance rhythm with typical piano part sets a Cuban cocktail mood. Vocal samples whisper "Elle a du Shell" and some other stuff that I haven't deciphered yet. It's fun but a bit too long and maybe out of place on a Namlook album. Which was the whole idea of it probably.

Also Synthetique Be-Bop is playful and fun. At a bit over 2 minutes it works a lot better then the previous track. Exactly as the title says, it consists of synthesized be-bop, sampling be-bop drums and bass parts, with pleasant snappy synth soloing reminding of Keith Emerson.

Sex-au-phone is Candy Dulfer-alike saxophone on mostly ambient synths. The melodies meander quite spontaneously and I can still appreciate this one, even though it's rather cheesy actually.

There's no Namlook album without reminding us of Tangerine Dream. On Her Way Out is the track providing for the TD bliss here, sounding like something from the 79-83 era. Not bad at all.

Given the big scope of the music on this album, it's hard to make a good conclusion. I count 35 minutes of music that I'd call really excellent, and the remainder isn't bad at all neither; just a bit out of place. 3.5 stars it shall be.