What Are You Listening To?

[Ruby]

^Oh good! Glad you like it.   

Steve Jolliffe - Warrior



Instrumental, lots of electronica – I would say world music, rather than ambient, and somewhat progressive – maybe new age fits too. I’m assuming everything on here is down to the man himself, but I could be wrong - can’t find album credits anywhere – oh wait – yep – all him. There’s a lot to explore in Jolliffe’s discography and I haven’t even scratched the surface; an ex Tangerine Dream alumni, also connected to Rick Davies way back in the day, and has collaborated with Klaus Schulze. I found him as a result of the BOTD thread, which he didn’t make it on to due to various distractions, but I did listen to some of his stuff and have been intending to hear more. His website introduces him as ‘Musician, Artist, Author, Philosopher’. 

The subject matter/theme for this release is the Native American, but it’s purely his interpretation - he doesn’t subscribe to what might be expected to be stereotypical sounds. My kind of music – I really enjoy evocative listening. 

Courtesy of AMG - a review which does perfect justice to this album, I believe, 

“Steve Jolliffe has recorded more than a dozen albums in his 15 years since touring with Tangerine Dream in the late '70s. Warrior, his latest release, is loaded with musical sketches where rich melodies intertwine with exuberant rhythms in a progressive vein. The album is dedicated to the Native American Indian, and many pieces seek to evoke this spirit in majestic, soaring passages that combine the full digital layered sound & nature-inspired touches. Joliffe uses spacey sequential phrasing to complement the orchestral beauty of the synthesizers and amber tones of his flute playing, and he succeeds time and again in finding the most vivid blend. Tracks such as "Ghostdancers," "Brother," "Desert Plains" and "Eagle" typify the vision of this artist as he sculpts his modern telling of time-honored traditions that must live on.”

Some clips - 

The opener "Wilderness" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxIX0PsIQ1M

"Brother" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ongfxhhkgGA

"Sorcerer" (appropriately menacing) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrS7wtYYtI4

and "Desert Plains" ...