Once it was despised as superficial, nondescript and easy. Critics were at a loss to give it a name: "fusion" was too advanced, "progressive" was out, and "jazz rock" only fit for the offspring of Miles Davis, early 70's vintage. For want of a better expression, the coinage "easy listening" emerged, covering odds and ends from hackneyed ad jingles to stultifying elavator music. It was bound to be commercial, mass-oriented and harmless. Some slick producers then discovered that repetitive patterns enhanced by a touch of synthesizer and some pseudo-hedonistic philosophy would make it a social must, "new age" was born but most of it now sounds old. Labels come and go... Enter Peter Oxley, a thoughtful violin bow-maker, who knows that an art object requires patience, knowhow and a grain of audacity. Making a group sound is no different: he has put these qualities into his writing and instilled a relaxed feel into the playing. He has chosen real musicians, of the kind that never play loud where mezza voce is more appropriate. The music happens, unwinding the film of our fantasies: Urban, yet airy, both heavy and light, serious and easy. Easy ? Yes... and well worth listening to! Francois Lacharme Track Listing: 1. Second Season 2. First Season 3. Through Green and Pleasant Lands 4. Easter Ballad 5. Fourth Season 6. Pax Latinus 7. Anti-Clockwise 8. Autumn (A Piece for Charlotte) |
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