Blue Wolf Reviews

Tag: pulsating

  • Out of the Mist

    Out of the Mist

    Out of the Mist is a refreshing collection full of light with a somewhat quirky overlay, that appears to emerge out of the mists of time, which for so long have been filled with doom and gloom.  

    The duo of Mike Kopp and Tim Sadow combine guitar and violin to create some amazing sounds that certainly move the mists of time to some other place with a belting, catchy beat that adds yet another dimension to the combination of guitar and violin, which defines music is truly for everyone.

    This is ably demonstrated in As the River Runs which segues from a modern, almost pop tempo to a classical rhythm, capturing the often idiosyncratic behaviour of a river rushing endlessly on its journey.

    Song of the Circle sees the violin in full flight, creating a beautiful piece which leads to the wonder of where a circle begins and ends before Desperate Measures bursts out into a sound which simply rocks.

    Tim Sadow gives a new dimension to violin bringing the sound out from ‘classical fustiness’ into a fresh new light, to what could loosely be described as Pop for a discerning generation! Mike Kopp adds to the belting, driving, captivating and often gentle rhythms, with his acoustic guitar and when required, some serious bass work.

    Space Chatter is a notable piece in amongst an album of notable pieces, as it changes direction into what could vaguely be classed as world music. This piece is a wondrous collection of beats with possibly a Celtic influence, which verges into what could also be considered as a totally freewheeling jam session: with of course spacemen added! Pins and Needles simply rocks!

    Not to be forgotten, a dash of romance is added with To Speak of Love, a slow, drifting song which floats into Questions for Winter, both pieces showcasing the more traditional aspects of two stringed instruments working seamlessly together to create a delicate and enchanting finale.

    From A Kites Tales to Questions For Winter, Out of the Mist is a wonderful, eclectic mix that holds wide appeal. Hopefully Kopp and Sadow’s next work will not be too far distant.

  • Wood, Steel, and Grace

    Wood, Steel, and Grace

    From beginning to end  this latest release from New Latitude, Wood, Steel and Grace is one immensely enjoyable journey into whatever phase, style, beat rhythm or mood you choose, as the music effortlessly segues from one style to another, leaving behind a desire to simply push reset as the final note is played.

    Wood, Steel and Grace simply put, is a fantastic, lively, beautifully constructed and executed work. which demonstrates the skill of the musicians as they set about not simply demonstrating their skill and craft, but also enjoying the moment as they breathe life into a music score which, until it is transformed by  skilled hands, is nothing more than notes on paper; a dream, a vision, a creation waiting to be born.

    Noted for their ability to move fluidly across genres, New Latitude have created a work full of vibrancy that sparkles, dancing off the pages, captivating the emotions as they take you from jazz, to rock, via a dash of new age and all somehow with a Latino thread of pulsating rhythm running through each of the pieces.

    This is more than ably demonstrated in the catchy, jazz piece Open Road which brings to mind immediately the open expanses of long open roads found in many countries where the terrain is open, wide flat and endlessly immense.

    Just when everything seems to flow along with an upbeat tempo along comes Alpenglow a completely diverse piece which appears to be composed for harpsichord, giving the piece a lovely melodic, peaceful feel of times long time, of elegance, structure and tonal flexibility.

    Moving right along to the interesting Old Friends this work contains a sense of familiarity before dissolving into the final and immensely enjoyable Prismatic Sky, a piece filled with reflection, pleasure and emotion, presenting a beautiful, unexpected, elegant composition to conclude an album of adventure, fun, enjoyment and uplifting moments of nothing more than pure fun.

    New Latitude have in this third work Wood, Steel and Grace lived up to their reputation of delivering music that delights, combining many influences and out of so many styles have created a perfectly executed work to simply delight the soul.