FEBRUARY 2008 Synergy Magazine Review Tear Sheet Slope Steve Jansen Samadhi Sound Web: http://www.samadhisound.com Steve Jansen will not be a familiar name unless you have an interest in ‘80s art pop or spend time the end with subtle voices. Then we checking who plays backing in- have the sleeplike sound of Sleep- struments on experimental music yard offering the superb vocals of albums. Jansen is is David Syl- Tim Elsenburg and a range of tracks vian's brother, Sylvian being the which explore a variety of textures lead singer of Japan and, since and sounds, with the expert use of the early '80s, has developed atmospheric instrumentals creating quite a reputation as an innovative a truly luxurious listening experi- and creative solo artist. Jansen ence. Gap of Cloud is light and has played drums and percussion floats away and a A Way of Disap- on many of his brother's releases, pearing is haunting with a clarinet as well as working with other ex- which seem to resonate long after it members of Japan in a variety of has been played. guises. This, however, is a unique Solo album from Jansen in which Slope is a nicely structured album he has harnessed support from moving carefully through different many around him. textures and forms; it slowly envel- ops you in its atmosphere until you Featuring guest vocalists who in- quietly drift away with its ambiance. clude his brother and long-time This is a beautiful and innovative collaborator David Sylvian, and CD. the sublime Nina Kinert, it is a beautiful electronic album featur- © COPYRIGHT ing a range of different sounds; it February 2008 is textured, minimalist and deli- Synergy Magazine cate. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Review can be used for publicity purposes The album opens with Grip, a by as long as Synergy Magazine is quoted as minimalist saxophone and synth the source. symphony, shot through towards PO Box 492 Armidale NSW 2350 Australia * Email: [email protected] .