After some wonderful reissues of classic albums with a plethora of extras, here is Banco de Gaia’s long -awaited new album; and typically the sound of this album moves off into different directions that Toby Marks may have only touched upon before.
Ambient sounds bring in “Warp And Weft” to play with some beautiful electronics and a slight hint at mid-period Pink Floyd, and the wafting female vocals are quite astounding and haunting. Middle Eastern beats introduce “Le Foucauld”, a track that takes me back to the souk markets in Egypt with their noisy, bustling lanes. This is the most instant dance track on the album so far and one that I would imagine becoming a live favourite.
“No Hablo Italiano” has the kind of sound that wouldn’t be out of place on a Vangelis album. The vibe again hits up on a steadier dance beat that you can imagine people grooving to on a beach on a balmy summer’s evening. Its chant vocals and rolling bass bring a warmth into a winter’s living room on a cold, grey day. The sounds of the sea and someone walking on a beach herald in “Is-is Loves Ankh-An-Atum”. A drone sets the mood, as again some rather magical female vocals give a very Middle Eastern Ofra Haza-style chant. Sweltering keyboards rise and fall, giving you a feel of a journey down the Nile on a felucca.Melancholy piano and synth pads create a atmosphere for “And So We Dream Of Futures Lost” that touches slightly on Dead Can Dance. It’s a restful and wonderful piece of music — there are hints of Brian Eno’s ambient work that collides with world music, a truly majestic track. “91” starts with what sounds like a sample from a rave and carries the sound through into its basic bass rhythm motif. Here, Marks seems to be journeying back to the beginnings of his recording career as this is pure dance music.
“The Princess And The Sky Goat” is another lush-sounding piece that seems to take you through the jungles of some strange place. Its chirping noises and full keyboard sound reminds of some of Michael Stearnes‘s work. “My Midnight Sun” is another moving piece of carefully crafted electronics merged with a vocal that sounds like it could have been sung in the middle of an ancient pagan temple at dawn. Soft piano chords start “This Heart”, and beneath this runs an almost white noise synth sound. The atmosphere here is one of solitude, similar in feel to some of Harold Budd’s ambient works.9th Of Nine Hearts is some of Marks’s finest music and certainly ranks up there with what are known as Banco de Gaia’s classic albums. My only criticism is that I wish the cover was more enticing, especially now with the return of vinyl I could quite easily see this astounding album housed in a beautiful sleeve that reflects the music within. But this is only a small quibble. Get a copy and immerse yourself in a different kind of world for an hour.
-Gary Parsons-
