Impset (aka Christophe Cabanie) was the creative force behind "Tinram LR" an ambient IDM release on Jon7.net Microlabel in 2007. He returned later with this set of 4 tracks that continue the sonic themes explored in that album. The feel is still ambient, but much darker and moodier than "Tinram LR", but still maintain the dubbed-and-delayed qualities that have made his tracks so enjoyable to listen to.
The opening track, "Profonde Lumieres" provides a feeling that is relaxing yet punctuated by a mystery, like a ship moving slowly through dense fog. "Noires Ombres" lives up to its name, full of black shadows of sound, bridging a gap between dark and light ambient. "Hypno 06" provides the rhythmic sensibility that characterized much of "Tinram LR" and rolls in like deep gray storm clouds. In the closing track, "Mutine" the light is like that of stars in the dark night, with a warmth like that of the comfort of knowing the ground is beneath you, but with a coldness like looking up into the night sky and realizing that gravity holds you onto the face of the earth, and by its grace you are kept from being flung into that same dark night.
The French are well-known for their contributions to Impressionism. This release may be considered a continuation of that historical trend, or it may simply be taken at face value as more fine ambient work from one of our valued sound art family members. Enjoy, and feel free to comment!
Reviewer: justinrobert -
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February 16, 2008 Subject: fantastic Light by Impset is well balanced mix of dark ambient and avantgarde electronica that excels in production value as well as overall creativity. The opening track "profonde lumieres" is a big, spacey and almost tribal repetition that falls somwhere between the sounds of Susumu Yokota and Robert Rich. "noires ombres" falls heavily into the avantgarde electronic realm, with a distant trumpet sounding in the background as if judgment day has arrived whilst dark and looming computerized voices swarm madly around you as if you were on acid riding on a subway in a futuristic world devised by Philip K. Dick. My favorite track, "hypno 06" is a percussive and hypnotic piece that really sounds awesome up really loud because of the throbbing bass and metallic taps leading your thoughts to robotic factories of a colossal breadth. Least dark of all the tracks is "mutine" which is a drone based piece with random percussive sounds frolicking from to and fro. My only complaint with this album is it is too short, which is why I didn't give it five stars. I guess it is better to leave you wanting more than having too much.
