Tim Blake - Magick

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Tim Blake - Magick

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At times, the work of Blake has been overlooked, especially on his work within bands such as Gong. Mind you, saying that, anyone who has even the remotest inkling about what Gong are about will fully appreciate his sonic soundscapes that have enriched the early Gong albums. In and amongst his appearances in bands he managed to do a 'bit' of solo work. References to Tangerine Dream and Ashra are obvious, but to be fair this is a bit like saying Jimi Hendrix sounds like Steve Vai (just because they play the guitar. As with these two, the same is with Blake, his style is different and the only true link to TD is the fact that Blake uses synthesisers! Magick has the best production, and uses more ethnic music in and amongst the soundwash. There are also slight hints towards White Noise - the band, not the actual sound. Lyrics are used on Magick, and there is a slight dated air about the album, although as a whole it works rather well, showing where and what Blake was about. Crystal Machine, however, has more than an edge. This demonstrates Blake's synthesiser skills and imagination far better than Magick. As daft as it sounds, Magick is more of a band album than Crystal Machine - daft because Crystal Machine is the name of the band, who are on both albums! There are less tracks, but longer, on Crystal machine, allowing development, and the gem has to be track 4, Synthesiser Intemporel, a fifteen minute plus live recording. It has all the hallmarks of a classic synth piece, whirling sounds, shifting cascades and that impeccable use of the echo that underlined so much that was good about Gong's more ambient pieces. Indeed, gliss for the synth!