Navigare Review

Every now and then an album rises up from under the radar that has me engrossed to the point that it feels almost impossible to pen my thoughts and feelings. And so it is with Simon Scott’s new release ‘Navigare’ soon to be released on the Miasmah label.

Being a huge fan of all things Miasmah and seeing how they have managed to produce breathtaking releases from day one, I was intrigued to discover that Simon was back in the studio constructing the next Miasmah offering, and also fascinated to see if he would be able to provide the label with a worthy composition befitting to the strong back catalogue already in place.

‘Navigare‘ has managaed to do just that and so much more…

The album emerges with ‘Introduction Of Cambridge‘, the inaugurate for the next fifty minutes or so of a euphonious, engaging listen.  Drawing you in ever so gently with a seductive nature, the track cloaks the listener immidiately with a sense of awe and wonder, ever so slowly building into what is without doubt one of the most atmospheric introductions I have ever heard. Resonating strongly with Deaf Center’s ‘Path To Lucy‘, yet always managing to have it’s own distintive approach, Simon’s intro maps out the foundation and sets things up perfectly for what is a breathtaking mellifluous odyssey.

The rumbling of distant thunder is how the journey continues with ‘Under Crumbling Skies‘. Again we see clearly from this track how Simon masterfully creates a framework that allows a gentle progression of sonic movement that builds with such ease as orchestral tones are intricately introduced to the piece. What I admire here is Simon’s adeptness to introduce the appropriate sounds into the arrangment without it ever sounding over complicated or to sparse. An aptitude many artists never trulely manage to accomplish with any real conviction. Throughout the album it is evident that Simon pulls this off with ease.

The next three tracks ‘Flood In‘, ‘Derelict Days‘ and ‘Repulse‘ all proceed in the same flawless fassion submerging the listener ever deeper into the idiosyncratic workings of ‘Navigare‘.

As if time itself has stood still we arrive at the half way point greeted by ‘The ACC‘, for me the best track on the album. Dark, eerie and penetrating right to the heart of experimental electroacoustic frequencies, this track is way ahead of it’s time in so many ways and will without doubt be prevalent in the Fluid Radio playlist over the coming weeks. The guitar riff sustained throughout the track reminds me of some of Playb’s recent work especially with the low fade drums hovering distantly in the background. What makes this track so distinctive however is the reverberating bass and spine-chilling horn sample manipulated to create a bullet proof composition that has to be heard loud for full emotional impact!

The journey continues between light and darkness with ‘The Old Jug And Drum‘, ‘Ashma‘, ‘Spring Stars‘ and concludes with ‘The Night and The Artificial Light‘, and as we approach the end of the ‘Navigare‘ tale the listener is left in a state of exultation knowing they have just listened to what has to be one of the best Miasmah releases to date. 10/10

Review by Daniel Crossley – Fluid Radio

Track List:

Introduction Of Cambridge
Under Crumbling Skies
Flood In
Derelict Days
Repulse
The ACC
The Old Jug And Drum
Ashma
Spring Stars
The Night and The Artificial Light

All tracks written, processed and arranged by Simon Scott except track 9 by Simon Scott and Rafael Anton Irisarri. Produced by Simon Scott between summer 2008 and spring 2009.

Additional treatments on track 7 by Dag Rosenqvist, additional vocal on track 10 by Moskitoo and vocal on track 6 by Martha Mae Scott.

Mastered by Andreas Tilliander at Repeatle.

Cover design and photos by Erik K. Skodvin.

More Info:

www.myspace.com/o3o3o
www.myspace.com/miasmah