The Eclipse Project - A Perfect Gradient Sky FLAC

The Eclipse Project "A Perfect Gradient Sky" CD

The chief protagonist hidden behind The Eclipse Project is Beau Lukes, in Toronto based hand-percussionist, didgeridoo player, electronic music composer and a graduate of Madison Media Institute. I firstly came across this multi instrumentalist on a highly applauded album "Music For Spaceports" by Eric Hopper's Sylken ensemble (released in May 2014). Beau Lukes appeared on two unforgettable tracks "Dreamship" and "Starsong", so I immediately started to search more about this crafted musician. At that time The Eclipse Project was already in full bloom and "A Perfect Gradient Sky" album was in the pipeline already. The Eclipse Project features talented collective of artists and "A Perfect Gradient Sky" is a debut album, released in May 2014 as a self-release by Beau Lukes, who is also responsible for the graphic design of this elegant 4-panel digipak (with additional landscape photos by Larry J. Herscovitch). The album is inspired by the geological wonders of the Scarborough Bluffs, which stretch for about 15 km along the Lake Ontario shore.

Tranquil sounds of water flowing announce the opening piece "Who Taught The Birds To Sing", but soon spoken words by Gary James aka Black Bear step in together with catchy children voices, all surrounded by warmly inviting vistas of synths, exquisite strings and field recordings. Later on gorgeously embracing native chanting with hauntingly expansive flute and subtle tribal drumming sneak in for a truly expressive prayerscape. This composition is filled with stunningly efficient harmony between the affinity of primordial and modern, a timeless world of aural pleasure awaits here!!! Bullroarer awakes the next ceremony, "Red Rock Dawn", but it's the rich palette of didgeridoo magic that quickly steals the show, accompanied by vague female chants and delicately nuanced tribal horizons. Profoundly mesmerizing amalgamate!!! And a highly recommended headphone listening too!!! "A Perfect Gradient Sky", the title composition, quietly unfolds with soothing field recordings, winding dusky blankets and embracing spoken meditation and backing chants by Sue Hutton (known from ethereal/goth band Rhea’s Obsession). A sonic elixir exhibiting enchanting interactions between expressive voice magic, warmly organic panoramas and gently evolving downtempos. The next piece, "Solar Winds", meticulously merges dreamy expansive voice washes, rhythmed synthetic and percussive layers with hauntingly filigree strings of classical guitar played by Bruce Jones. Calmly drifting "It Has To" features spoken poetry by Tony John, then it slowly shifts into a mildly tribal-driven extent highlighted by fragile tinkles, didgeridoo drones and shamanic vocal buoyancy by another guest, Michael Moon. Uniquely comforting and high-spirited composition, a truly extraordinaire, kudos to all performers!!! "Solstice Ice Meditation" reveals with serenely meandering reverie guarded above by heavenly chants and enriched with tranquilly engrossing organics and iridescent rhythm passages. "Calling Down The Elders" opens with intriguing drifts and roars, which inconspicuously transmute into weirdly fragranced mixture of didgeridoo drones, hypnotic djembe and percussions and exotic malletkat. Beau Lukes is joined on this track by Michael Moon (electric guitar, malletkat). Highly distinguishing adventure goes on!!! "Invoke" dives straightly into deeply contemplative realms leaded by delicate marimba tinkles, reverberating milieus and Michael Moon's voice wizardry. And all wrapped by sparse, but intense tribal beat and occasional ethereal female chants. Another amazingly rewarding listening experience for all aficionados of tribal ambience!!! "Journey's End", the closing piece, features Laura Nashman on silver flute, who joins Beau's utterly soothing soundsculpting with her gorgeously expressive yearning flute prayer. Strongly immersing conclusion!!!

"A Perfect Gradient Sky" is a very powerful debut by The Eclipse Project, offering a truly broad range of sonic colors with top-notch sound quality!!! Mastering and final mix editing credits go to Taras Petryk of SerpentONE Productions. Beau Lukes and all his team mates show a huge amount of talent, creativity and dedication on this recording. I think The Eclipse Project still remains unexplored, so don't hesitate to support this multi-talented group of artists, you won't be disappointed!!! To me, certainly another big one Made in Canada and a truly masterful, all-inclusive tribute to the natural beauty of the Scarborough Bluffs. Keep on going, guys!!!

Richard Gürtler (Aug 29, 2014, Bratislava, Slovakia)