Mark Rownd 'Painting Twilight'

Click to order (select 'Music by Record label' > 'Spotted Peccary')

Tracklist and MP3s
1. The First Day [Hi-Fi, Lo-Fi]
2. Before There Was Rain [Hi-Fi, Lo-Fi]
3. Earthbody Spiritbody [Hi-Fi, Lo-Fi]
4. Portrait Of Parting
5. From Somewhere Else
6. At The Edge Of Calm Waters - I
7. Through The Valley Of Shadow
8. Eyes Of Azure
9. At The Edge Of Calm Waters - II
10. A Moment Alone
11. Place Of Grace
12. Storm's Passage
13. Painting Twilight

Press release
Drawing on his experience as an abstract painter and his influences from impressionist and expressionist masters, Rownd works his compositions much like art on canvas: he pulls melody and theme forward from background to create depth of field and movement from what might appear still and flat. This sonic palette, so deftly wielded, produces profound vignettes of color and light that transcend many musical boundaries.

Reviews
I've pencilled a new word into my dictionary, right between "obloquy" and "obnoxious"... it's "Obmana-like", an adjective meaning "showing a marked similarity to the ambient musical sound and style of Vidna Obmana". Besides increasing one's vocabulary, Painting Twilight offers a really nice way to relax one's ears, mind and spirit.

Some tracks are notably reminiscent of the esteemed Belgian's works, particularly those utilizing primitive percussion. the first day is the short (1:36) opener. Slowly pulsing shimmers are decorated with slow beats and occasional shakers, sounding quite Obmana-like. before there was rain builds from drifting layers of synth choir, sans percussion, then fades away... The shaker-rhythm of earthbody spiritbody definitely echoes the Obmana sound, and accompanies a densely welling stream from which leaps a recurring flutey pattern.

Brassy tones blend together to paint a portrait of parting , which results in a smoothly flowing drone... like a liquified orchestra. More spacious, wafting tones rise from somewhere else, a place where veils of assorted translucency percolate. at the edge of calm waters - I fades in on whispy tendrils of sound, evocative of tranquil mists.

Not surprisingly, through the valley of shadow is a detour into, then out of, a darker zone. Hollow winds blow ominously, but warmer rays of synth shine in to lighten the latter movement. eyes of azure ebbs and flows with more percussive elements that call VO to mind, though not as intricate. Like its first part, at the edge of calm waters - II rises and falls in a lush atmosphere that truly evokes a tangibly sensual humidity.

Ambientrance Review quotes

"...A voyage deep into global spiritual territory. For me, the album is an unqualified success" Bill Binkelman Wind and Wire

"One of the year's best recordings" Wind and Wire

"Highly recommended on all levels" Expose Magazine

" Compelling, deeply felt music" New Age Voice

"A profound sense of creation, of genesis" Awareness Magazine

" The sound palette is refreshingly organic" Keyboard Magazine

Click to order (select 'Music by Record label' > 'Spotted Peccary')