The Halo Effect is a twenty-one minute ambient confection by newcomers Paradigm 9. It's on an aesthetically pleasing three-inch CD, and proves over repeated listens to be a recording of great depth and variation.

The Halo Effect functions over the constant drone of night-time crickets, always in the forefront of the mix, that gives this entire recording the distinct flavor of Brian Eno's On Land in its dusk-toned, evening ambience. Though these nature samples give the entire work a cohesive structure, the instrumental touches over the twenty-one minute length slowly shift the composition along through a number of complimentary sonic themes. In the beginning of the track, one hears a flute-like sound that seamlessly gives way to a vaguely menacing underlying drone (perhaps from a guitar). Gradually, a more recognizable guitar strums along with the ambience, warming things up with rich, sustained chords. This becomes somewhat similar to The Azuza Plane, as the track glides along dreamily, as if one is slowly floating along a murky lake at night.

A horn rises up, very low in the mix, quietly playing in the background. Gently the track begins to take a meandering, relaxed quality. We are drifting on the lake in a verdant, humid place. There are homesteads along the shore, with music drifting softly from their windows, as if played on distantly wound Victrolas. The air of mystery is thick around; in nighttime, plantlife begins to appear more alien and undefined. A vague piano is heard--someone ashore is playing, perhaps, though only isolated notes are audible. The droning has taken on the quality of processed cello by this point as we continue to drift along the overgrown, dark shore. Dissonant textures come and go, always low in volume, and never distracting. This is a pleasant journey, one that oscillates between wakefulness and sleep as the sonic surrounds quietly shift along with the landscape. By the track's end, the lullaby-like guitar sounds recede into silence, allowing the crickets to take over as one drifts off into infinite night. All that is left with the vocal insect choir is the faint sound of a finished record, skipping on a groove, somewhere ashore.

The guitar sound is one of the highlights of this recording, providing a resonant atmosphere. This is a seemingly improvised recording, and the musicians involved seem to synch very well with each other, contributing complimentary touches without any one element taking precedent over another. The overall sound is neither dark nor light, an ambiguousness that suits the work quite well. The recording itself is somewhat murky, with low-fi, indie production that normally turns me off. However, the atmosphere presented by Paradigm 9 is well suited by this lack of crisp sound, giving the work an aged feel, as if it were being played on well-worn vinyl. Sonic purists beware.

This is a terrific little gem of a recording from a group and label I'd not previously heard. The EP length is just right for the piece, not too long, welcoming the listener to play it repeatedly. I'm quite impressed by this work, and fans of deep, nighttime ambience will not be disappointed with the dreamy effects of The Halo Effect.

On Magnanimous Records.

since July 15, 2003