Leama & Moor – Common Ground
From the first note on this album, you know that you are in for a musically fantastic journey. Leama & Moor (Marty Smith and Andy Moor (also known from his work with Tilt)) have created 11 astonishing tracks that all are mixed together in one continuing mix. The dreamy pleasant sound surrounds you and with its wonderful melodies, textured vocals and layered soundsscapes it will keep you mesmerised. Slowly but surely the tracks insensitivity build, the tempo is slowly picked up and the climax is reached with the two peak time floor killers "Calling" and "Waiting" which features the wonderful Jan Johnston on vocals. The album has taken Leama & Moor over a year to record and produce and the result is outstanding. You have to pick up this album right now, you won't be disappointed – this is the best progressive trance album of the year so far.
1. Waterdrop
The opener, wouldn't sound out of place backing a love scene on a film like Gladiator or Troy, haunting female vocals, lush pads and strings and a gentle beat give us wonderful intro to the album.
2. Hillside Climb
Awash with their trademark floating melodies, a groovy electro bass line and a break beat backing.
3. Coming Of Age
So smooth you barely notice it. This track is a six-minute ambient masterpiece. Reminiscent of classics such as the ambient mix of Melodica and Odessi – Moments Of Ambience (one of Smith's old projects) this has gorgeous female vocal samples, wonderful melodies and sumptuous strings, again with a soft break beat backing. One of the best pieces of ambient music you're likely to hear all year.
4. Neon Approach
Deep growling bass line, great percussion and a sweet guitar melody. Great track.
5. Everything Matters
The lead single from the album. For me this is one of the weaker tracks on the album, it is a bit slow and lacking in energy, especially in the dull bass line. The chopped up vocal is rather lovely though and the effects on them are very clever.
6. Forever
7. New Division
Two more break beat tracks, Forever builds layers of melodies and effects while New Division has a dirtier electro edge. Again strong, well produced tracks.
8. Cry For Help
The male vocals you will either love or hate, they are quite poppy and verge on being Phil Collins-esque, especially backed with an acoustic guitar strum. Still, a nice change from the instrumental tracks and gives the album a human element.
9. Calling
Bursts out of the speakers. A driving beat and awesome pulsating electro tinged bass line certainly get your feat moving and over the top float gorgeous twinkling melodies and ethereal female vocals.
10. Waiting
Another full vocal, this time from trance legend Jan Johnston.. i would probably give it the same description to "Calling" except that this is more french-electronica-ish.
11. Communication
The album closes with Communication, another breaks track with a neat electro bass line and cool chopped up vocal then with a lost-esque (yeah the tv show) bleep, it’s over.
Conclusion :
I feel Leama & Moor have succeeded in their aim with an album that is paced and builds perfectly from ambient beginnings to a full on dance floor peak and it flows so well you hardly notice the joins in the tracks. They have succeeded where many other trance artists have failed, to create an cohesive artist album that doesn't sound like a disjointed selection of club tracks. I would have liked to hear more vocal tracks but it is a varied album stamped with quality and awash with melody and atmosphere. It takes me back to Chicane at their peak and it is the perfect post-club soundtrack.
Official Site: www.leamaandmoor.net
Official Myspace: www.myspace.com/leamaandmoor2
*I Predicted This Brilliantine 2 Months Ahead!
