The name of multi-instrumentalist Richard Wileman hasn’t escaped our attention because in a previous life this talented guy formed the most important part of the band Lives & Times. This band released a multitude of albums such as Waiting For The Parade and The Great Sad Happy Ending on the now defunct SI label. Some five years ago the album There And Back Again Lane was released through Cyclops. The band’s final album got released under the title of Hoarse, an album on which singer Ileesha Bailey takes over the microphone from Richard’s trusted representative Lorna Cumberland. The many positive reactions Wileman received after releasing the mini-album A Winter In Summertime resulted in Richard recording a full album. Also the remark that this music is ideal to be used for film purposes had its effect because six of the new tracks have been grouped under the denominator “Soundtracks." After listening to the album for the very first time one could say that Thirteen From The Twenty First is more playful than the debut mini-album, which is probably due to the rhythmic colour of this album plus the inclusion of flute. That’s why “Dorothea’s Nightmusic” sounds very much like Anthony Philips, whilst “The Ribbon Of Extremes” has some Pink Floyd references by means of the guitar. “Sleeping Venus” divulges something magical on the one side due to Ileesha Bailey’s pure and thin voice and on the other side by means of the flute and oboe. The combination of samples, violins, oboe and/or clarinet delivers wonderful soundscapes without falling into the trap of new age even once. Towards the end of the album it becomes a bit too "heavy," however the beauty of the music remains. That’s why lovers of amongst others Anthony Philips, Gordon Giltrap and/or orchestral work should certainly try this one out. For those of you who had the pleasure exploring the worlds of Lives & Times: Karda Estra is at least ten times better and certainly more intriguing. Try it … today! Reviewed by : John 'Bo Bo' Bollenberg |
