Oceanic Empire, by Navigator

Oceanic Empire

by Navigator

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	1.	The Journey 05:52
	2.	Flashing Blue 07:52
	3.	Island Of Silence 11:46
	4.	Secret Of The Cave 07:32
	5.	Oceanic Empire 23:57
	6.	Peace Set I & II 07:10

about

The soft acoustic beginning belies the true nature of Oceanic Empire. Any notion that this is a laid-back affair is quickly put to rest, however, as "The Journey" progresses. A low bass sequence emerges, along with some great electric guitar. I found the axe too prominent at times in their debut release Northern Consequence, but I have no such complaints this time around.

All the touches seem just right, as evidenced from the get-go in this great starter. Beautiful flutes finish the track with a light, deft touch.
"Flashing Blue" jumps right into bubbly energetic Berlin school mode, featuring excellent sequencing and scorching synth leads. It is fast yet effortless.

"Island of Silence" is really two distinct musical ideas for the price of one. A haunting melodramatic section opens it up, taking up almost half of the twelve minutes. But then it abruptly segues into another brisk sequencer piece, with top-notch soloing by Kent Eskildsen on electric guitar.

This really combines the different elements the way Tangerine Dream did at their peak in the 1970s, with Eskildsen taking the Froese guitar parts, Jens Peschke and Tony Anderson adding keys and sequencing that perfectly match the intensity. I particularly love how this one builds to a crescendo at the end. I'm still not certain why the two halves are combined into one track, they don't seem to have anything in common, but it's great nonetheless.

"Secret of the Cave" just screams TD influence, a composition Chris Franke would be proud to call his own. As good as everything preceding it has been, this might be the best track of the bunch so far. Understated in pace and mood, it is flawless.

Next up is the epic 24-minute title track. I can't say enough about this one. Vintage synth nuts will be in a total state of nirvana by the end of it, as it makes delightful twists and turns through a variety of themes, this time with excellent transitions as it goes along.
And if I haven't gone on enough about this disc, "Peace Set I & II" is an ideal closer.

Give credit to these guys for not being afraid to put a beautiful piano number in the midst of a synthesizer masterpiece. It is a perfectly timed change of pace that works brilliantly, marvelously executed. It's getting time to think about my Best Of 2002 list, and Oceanic Empire will almost surely be on it. Highly recommended.

credits

released January 1, 2002

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Navigator Denmark

shows

May 10

Joshua Brooks

Manchester, UK
May 18

Malcolm X Community Centre

Bristol, UK
May 18

Malcolm X Centre

Bristol, UK
May 25

Clock Factory Bristol

Bristol, UK
May 25

Concorde 2

Brighton, UK
Jun 15

Unit 13

Nottingham, UK
Jul 19

XOYO

London, UK
Sep 6

Clock Factory Bristol

Bristol, UK
Nov 15

The Steel Yard

London, UK

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