Most people would preserve memories of a trip to Australia via photographs, slides or even a video. Well Robert Fox goes one stage further with this CD which derives its inspiration from the aforementioned visit made during the summer of 1991. Robert describes it as "...very much a Westerner's musical interpretation of the visit...but in no way an attempt to emulate Aboriginal music or, indeed, their culture". 'Spirit of Oz' opens in typically grandiose fashion, percussive Aboriginal samples forming the backdrop to a deceptively strong melody which makes good use of light and shade. 'Sydney Harbour' adopts a lighter stance with a simple motif played over all manner of superb atmospherics. 'Into the Mountains' picks up the pace expertly being a perfect combination of sequence, percussion and melody punctuated by samples of train station announcements which trace the journey it portrays. More atmospherics lead into 'Three Sisters' and the theme which runs through this track, I believe, represents a creative peak for Robert - it is quite simply tremendous. The 'second side' opens with 'Painted Desert' which comes across as a slightly more subdued, almost ominous, sounding piece. The magnificent title track follows and the powerful piano lead and sweeping synths punctuated by thunderous drums make this piece an inspiration. 'White Man Dreaming' returns to the slightly more restrained formula hinted at on 'Painted Desert', and again the fantastic melody and perfect atmospherics produce another awesome high point. 'Farewell Blue Mountains' winds up with the return journey to that made on 'Into the Mountains' and is another epic voyage through high power melodics. On this album Robert Fox shows that the rich seam of inspiration displayed on his two previous albums shows no signs of diminishing. It is a stunning example of sonic imagery at its best and an undoubted essential purchase for collectors of quality Electronic Music.
