Paul Sills - A Sketchbook of Summer (2013)

Paul's new opus combines swirling synths, acoustic instruments and gentle percussion to great effect in his usual excellent and gently laid back style. It definitely evoke memories of summer on some tracks, although it’s often closer to his drifting space music style than the title suggests.

Paul Sills continues his musical voyage with this delightful opus. While it may evoke a memory of summer on some tracks, often it treats us to what Paul does best. That is combining swirling synths, acoustic instruments and gentle percussion to great effect in a gently drifting style. In fact, it’s closer to his drifting space music than the title suggests.!!

Okay, so the layered soundscapes aren’t as dense as on previous outings, but the expertly crafted soundscapes are still very much in evidence, washing over the listener in gentle waves with deep pulsations and a gentle, delicate resonance.!!

There are some strong melodies and themes to be found here, but this really is an album about ‘mood and feel’, with highlights being ‘Into Dusk’ with its hypnotic layers, ‘Solstice’ that hints at classic Tangerine Dream, the evocative ‘Family Portrait’ and the stunning, gently moody and grandiose ‘Beach Theme 2’.! !

It all expertly bridges the new age and melodic electronic music divide, being strongly atmospheric and a little moody without ever being melancholy. And as always with Paul’s work, there is a deeply positive ! emotional undercurrent.!

Tracklist:

01. Sunday Morning
02. Memories In Polaroid
03. Caravan
04. Crimson
05. Walking Tiptoe
06. Into Dusk
07. Dragonfly
08. Family Portrait
09. Beach Theme 2
10. Bicycles And Puddles
11. Solstice