“The Atom Age Sense Of Impermanence” is, Richard informs us, a line from the Kim Newman novel Dracula Cha Cha Cha. Combining this book, his fascination for Dracula, and Edward Burra’s magnificent painting John Deth, he has produced a striking composition.
“Island Universes” sees Richard venture off into the stars once again. Maybe it’s my own, now actively stimulated, mind that has the music seemingly exploring the very essence of the word ‘space’ itself. Who hasn’t looked up at the night sky and asked ‘how can it never end’? This piece somehow captures the mystery behind that timeless question, the answer to which remains beyond our comprehension, and the sheer wonder of the universe itself.
“There Is No Finished Word” ends the album with a journey into the mind of surrealist painter Andre Masson. Mirroring Masson’s ‘automatic drawing’ techniques and transferring the same method to music Richard delivers a memorable ending to a highly effective album.
I challenge anyone to lie in a darkened room and listen to this album on headphones. Within seconds of the opening of “The Whitstable Host” and for the remainder of this exquisite yet disturbing set you will be transported to places that normally only exist in your deepest sleep.
If however you do, you will no doubt find yourself in dusty secondhand book shops seeking out the various novels, paintings, and people that inspired this collection. Transferring these powerful sources to music and creating such a labyrinth of visual images is a remarkable achievement. Combine both and you have the perfect recipe for superb cinematic composition.
Explore the music of Richard Wileman and Karda Estra by visiting his official website, if you dare.
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