Reviews

Slow Life - Review

b2ap3 thumbnail SlowLife"Occupying a territory between the Minimalist excursions of Steve Reich and the loop innovations of Fripp and Eno, 'Slow Life' is one of the most consistently challenging and ethereal albums in the career of Theo Travis. Exclusively using the rich possibilities of the alto flute, Travis launches into a series of cogent and controlled tonal improvs that firmly places him in the vanguard of the ever-growing looping community." Burning Shed website " The 'travis system of ambitronics' is awesome. this is an excellent minimalist, ambient, space music disc! " Jim Brenholts -
Ambient Navigator (USA).

"Despite the complexity of the arrangements, the nine pieces, each recorded live in the studio, are characterised by a sense of space, freedom and clarity. The overlaid flute loops resist entanglement and the listening experience is almost entirely restful."
Nicholas Royle. The Wire

"Slow Life is a set of solo alto flute pieces recorded using what Theo calls his "system of ambitronics", which is described as a series of foot pedals enabling him to build up layered loops of flute and spontaneously overdubbing other flute lines. There are no efx that morph or distort the natural sound of the instrument, but the resulting layered loops do produce an ethereal atmosphere within which the flute can explore, and makes for a surprisingly full sound given the solo nature of the album. The music is generally slow paced, with deep consideration given to each note and phrase. One of my favorite tracks is "Sleep", which features a somber but beautiful melody that reminds me of a Chinese film I can't quite place. Some of the music brings to mind Robert Fripp's soundscape guitar works, though Theo's flute is more pleasant and atmospheric as opposed to the robotic Fripp sound. Overall, Theo's flute excursions did a good job of holding my attention throughout the set. If you're in the mood for an ambient melodic solo flute journey, there's some hypnotic music to be heard here.
Aural Innovations (USA)

"Sinuous alto flute strands are stratified across contemplative soundspaces by Theo Travis. With dreamlike slowness, layers of flutatious curlicues unfold across Salad noir... Similarly placid waves flutter through Chasing the slow train, sometimes evoking a bit of American West, othertimes a fairyland madrigal sound. Stereo (2:20) balances sparse tweedling episodes with moments of silence. In Mellotromatic (10:29), hovering counterpoints of high and low cohabitate expansively sprawling tone-vistas. Another more-than-ten-minute piece closes the disc; the warm currents of who stopped you furl and unfurl with reedy breaths. These nine solo flute compositions are beautiful and thoughtful. "
Ambientrance (USA)

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