Dirk Campbell -

Dirk Campbell will be more familiar as Mont Campbell, former bass player, vocalist and composer with Uriel, Egg and early National Health. Produced by ex-colleague and old friend Dave Stewart, this is his first solo project and establishes an entirely new musical identity.

After quitting National Health in 1976 music became a hobby rather than a livelihood, until the mid eighties when he began writing and performing for film, TV and advertising. During this period he had become interested in the varied musical traditions of Greece, Asia Minor and the Middle East, and subsequently developed considerable expertise on the wind instruments indigenous to these regions. The influences and techniques learned from these and many other cultures have been harnessed to produce the rich tapestry that is Music from a Round Tower.

The music is difficult to categorise, some would say world music, or new age, but these labels only tell half the story. Alternately sparse then orchestral, frequently rhythmic, the flow of ideas is impressive. This is definitely not background music, it constantly grabs your attention, and nothing outstays its welcome. Although conceived as a whole the piece is divided into 20 individually titled sections. Most of these sections are built from samples and/or MIDI, embellishment is a myriad of electronic and acoustic sounds. There are frequent east - west juxtapositions so you might find a Greek Kaval (flute) accompanied by dark synth chords, or Turkish bagpipes next to a saxophone quartet. The composer himself likens it to "moving through a landscape of constantly varying and surprising topographical features." This is music of depth and intelligence, there are still new discoveries to be made even after several plays.

As befits a composer of soundtracks the music conjures up many images and moods, but this isn't just a series of snapshots c.f. Brian Eno's Music for Films. The sections flow almost seamlessly into one another, and build into a climax at the end. Some sections reminded me of other artists, so if you are familiar with the works of Stravinsky, Steve Reich, Michael Nyman, Clannad, Jade Warrior, Kate Bush or Mike Oldfield, then you will have a feel for much of what is on offer. Virtually all the music is played or generated by Dirk Campbell, occasional vocals are provided by Lucianne Lassalle and Barbara Gaskin, plus various Turkish stringed instruments played by George Hadjineophytou, who also engineered the sessions.

With a composition such as this there is an art in making it impossible to tell what is sampled or live, written or improvised, accident or design. Dirk Campbell has succeeded in all areas, this complex yet accessible and enjoyable music deserves to be heard.