This album heralds from 1989 and if memory serves was Ian’s first ever CD release. It marked the start of his mid period, finishing with the classic ‘Uncertainty Principle’ and ‘the Deep’. Unlike those albums however this one has never seen a re-release so of all the post ‘Climb’ recordings it is by far the rarest. But what of the music? Well you can’t beat a good old crashing sound to start an album and boy does the opening of ‘Hyperion’ crash! Then, in marked contrast, we get some lovely floating, soothing pads with little tinkling effects. A gorgeous plucked string melody takes us forward. Things become even more beautiful as we progress. A melancholy melody soars into the heights in uplifting Vangelis fashion. This in turn is replaced by plucked strings and then an almost John Dyson style lead line. ‘A Time Remembered’ is just as beautifully as its predecessor with acoustic guitar and flutey synth over exquisite synth washes.
‘Amazonia’ starts with appropriate rainforest type effects, ethnic flute and percussion. The pace picks up with a gamelan lead line then more flutey synth. Just after the half way mark it is all change with a sort of medieval rhythm that reminded me a little of one of the tracks off ‘Phoenix’. Very infectious and joyous stuff. ‘Masquerade’ provides us with more acoustic guitar and layer after layer of excellent melodies, which continue through, to ‘Lammergeyer’ that has a feel not too dissimilar to the earlier ethnic tinged ‘Amazonia’. Things take a darker and almost film music turn with the title track. Ethereal pads mix with orchestral and organ sounds to give a large epic feel. ‘Chameleon’ is a much more conventionally rhythmic affair, slowly winding up the pace until we are belting along, lead lines flying over the top. Ideal for air keyboard playing. It has to be said that this is Ian’s most tuneful and quite frankly undemanding album taking his earlier style and adding ethnic and even chamber music influences. It is the antitheses to what he was later to produce on his own DiN label. (DL)
