Jochem Paap - Vrs-Mbnt-Pcs 9598 II FLAC download

The deep yet uplifting melodic beatless ambience builds slowly into a dark enlightened world, driftly wandering around, drowning in hypnotic minimalism. Captivating and commanding. Isolating. Repetitive yet not montonous. One of the better Fax releases.

Despite of not being the greatest ambient head out there, I absolutely adore this album. Once Dx-Synth kicks in, with its rising pads and gentle, soothing synths, you have ambarked on a fifty minute trip. Once this touching opener fades out, you are left with two epic and incredibly hypnotic tunes. But it is all about approach here. These are long, repetitve, deep and floating sequences of drone. If you expect changes, sudden twists and turns, dreamy and trance provoking melodies guiding you to an obvious transcending experience, or any kind of "your patience will be rewarded" finale, you won't be pleased with these numbers. Namely Mrg-Vrx, a piece which works best if listened to without any expectations or preconceptions. You just let it play and do its thing. If it catches you off guard or in the right mood, I promise it will take you further than you could have ever imagined before playing the CD. It really moves about aimlessly, without the slightest hint of where it came from, where it is now and where could it possibly go next. It is one of Jochem Paap's underrated career master strokes, loaded with emotion, creativity, devotion and skill. None of it is obviously thrown in your face though. Hence, it's beauty enchants me even more! The last track, Jchm-2ngn, is a gorgeous treat as well, with a pulsating synth stab entering a few minutes into the track, and soon leaving the impression as though it was the echo of my relaxed heart beat. Just like the previous track, structure wise this is samey and repetitive all the way, but the underlying vivid soundscapes and the deep bass line will have you orbiting around your outer self in no time. It is very similar to Mbnt-Plng off "Vrs-Mbnt-Pcs 9598 I", so chances are you will love this if you felt that one. Fact is, the second installment of his ambient output is dreamier than the first one. Only three tracks, but with a value of three albums. Rich, simple and boring at first, but if you really let the music reach you, it will unveil all its density. Do not expect Speedy J, do not listen to this with his previous output in mind under any of his many aliases. Instead, envision great music from a great mind, and only then will "Vrs-Mbnt-Pcs 9598 II" excel.

Compared to other listeners I -amusingly- find myself in absolute solemn and profound worship of the near half an hour long running second track. Not only that, but I also think it ranks among the better ambient pieces in general and on the Fax label in particular. To me, the haunting depth of "Mrg-rvx" represents the finest melancholy and introspection, and I have no problem sitting down actively listening to it from start to finish, something that cannot be said for most tracks of this length.

The only thing that saves this disc is the first track, which is a great build & fade ambient loop with depth & simplicity. The other two tracks extend long beyond their welcome, as the main overlapping notes wander on without much intrigue for the 28 minutes of the second track. There's a repetitive bass lurking in track three, that is partially under the surface but manages to create an annoyance anyway. Combine that with the suspended seasick whining that accompanies it, and you have a queasy combination.