Symbian - Navigator

This album is so brilliant, no review can do it justice. You just have to hear it for yourself. An added bonus is the simply stunning sound quality - it's the only CD I've heard so far which approaches the sound quality of vinyl. (Yes, I'm another vinyl freak!). The album opens with ‘Gateway 34’ in which mission control samples give way to symphonic chords in Vangelis style accompanied by drums - it could be straight off one of the V-man's soundtrack albums, being a real anthemic tour de force. The track cross fades into ‘Exit to Freedom’. Gregorian chants and a tinkly sequence are joined by a monster bass drum and percussion effects which are almost holographic. A real Vangelis- style piano melody runs over the top in majestic fashion. It is probably the best track on the album. ‘So far, So near’ is up next and features drums and percussion àla 1492 with a Bladerunner-like sax solo. ‘Arabesque' comes in on broad synth washes with a gentle harp melody, not dissimilar to ‘Hymn to Apollo’ from Vangelis's ‘Direct’ album. ‘Train of Thoughts’ has a pulsing sequence and bass plod accompanied by Vangelis type synth string patches. Then ethnic chanting (1492 style) is followed by another excellent piano melody line. The backing chords alternate from major to minor to great effect. Beethoven style piano arpeggios begin the next track, ‘On the Footpaths of your Mind’ but it quickly develops into another lovely flowing melody - dreamy and tuneful without being too schmaltzy. ‘Deception Lay‘ has something of the feel of ‘Rockoon’-style TD about it, with moody synth chords and twangy sequences accompanied by guitar sounds low in the mix. A plucky melody line works its way over a background of synth washes and effects. The title track comes next with more mission control samples leading into a lively, almost dance music sequence with tinkly effects. A piano sound with lots of reverb takes takes melody line and, yes, again it sounds like Mr Papathanassiou. ‘Bridges of Hope’ begins softly with a fretless bass line and percussion, followed by a meandering piano melody. It's all very relaxing on this one. The final track is ‘Messages’ which returns to the mission control samples before going out on a drift of spacey synths which float away to silence. As you will have gathered by now, this is a must for anyone into Vangelis, but it is such a brilliant album it will be enjoyed by anyone into melodic EM.

Tracklist:
01.Gateway 05:22
02.Exit to freedom 05:47
03.So far 06:10
04.Arabesque 04:54
05.Train of thoughts 11:14
06.On the footpaths of your mind 03:53
07.Deception bay 05:20
08.Navigator 06:45
09.Bridges of hopes 07:01
10.Messages 02:16