By
NTHNL
Written by
Steve Sheppard
This is interesting; when I first heard Ontogenesis by NTHNL I
was immediately struck by its meditative nature, I am the type of writer who
likes to actually listen to the entire
project first before setting my sails to compose, and as always I am glad I
did, this is a wonderful body of work, one that reminded me in parts of Llewellyn’s Journey To The Temple at the
turn of this century, with its aspect of working through the bodies Chakra
system, but here is an album that is different and goes much further.
Here NTHNL (aka) Jacob Rudin delivers the first album
based on Ontogenesis. Ontogeny (also
ontogenesis), this is the development of an individual organism or anatomical
or behavioural feature from the earliest stage right through to maturity.
The
beginning of this breath taking compilation of stunning music is Welcome Procession, a mood of an
increasing awareness can be found within this piece, offering the true beginnings
of the one, this multi-instrumental moment is the foundation of the journey we
are about to enjoy.
There is much about this release that reminds me of when I
give myself a Reiki treatment, working from the bottom up, bringing balance and
harmony to the body, the following musical narrative flows with a precise
nature and is called Straightening,
Dispersing. At this point we can allow our posture to be straighter, thus
allowing the energy to flow naturally; the tones here are deeper in nature, the
electronic vibrations create a sanctuary of sound to drift into, and the flute
is our guide along the way.
The natural sounds of the ocean at the start of our next
piece entitled Nourishing, Holding
are a welcome addition; I could do with an oceanic voyage right now, bathing in
the healing waters of our existence, the textures here are simply beautiful,
and once more that meditative sense of tranquillity washes over me, in the same
way as Temple in the Forest by David Naegele did back in 1982.
We now swim within the safe harbours of the album, and as we
do so we come across the track Reaching,
Striving, Praying. It is as if we have found a thermal to glide on within
this sparkling composition, the energy here is invigorating and most assuredly
palpable, an arrangement of breath, and focus. The electronic tapestry weaved
here in combination with the artists flute is both compelling incredibly
uplifting.
Approaching the tor of our musical delights, we now reach the
mid-way juncture of the album; the keyboards manifest a dreamy sound, whilst NTHNL’s flute hovers like an early
misty September morning. Processing,
Detoxifying is our current port of call, and its warming and comforting
musical caress is delightful.
The return home starts with the piece Assurance, Rising, here the artists gifts us the vehicle to gain determination and
strength for what may be ahead, the swirling nature of the electronic elements
here are beautifully held in an informal energetic structure by the flute, and
the natural ambience of the piece manifests an arrangement that is utterly
transcendent.
The depth on Heart
is felt to the core, the keyboards drift after manifesting the initial tone and
intent of the piece, from the engine room of the body here is a composition
that pumps a true sense into life, creating its own musical tidal structures,
the vocalisations within this track and the natural sounds most certainly keep
the listener grounded.
This album works on many levels, on pieces like Aerating, Billowing, energies of
drifting on the thermals of life can be felt, the meditative ambience here is
felt with such serenity in the performance of the composition, a light and
tranquil pastiche of peace and serenity is so very much appreciated.
We found ourselves in the deeper waters of the album now, and
as the vibrational structures alter and increase in intensity, they are
beautifully portrayed by the electronic wizardry of the composition entitled Transmitting, Unravelling, Communing.
The synth work here adds a layer of pace and energy into the proceedings,
whilst later pulling back like a departing tide, from the tones of the
composition it feels like we are in the area of the throat, the release of
speaking ones truth can be felt here, and the freedom to do so is also
wonderfully catered for by this inspiring and invigorating arrangement.
Our penultimate piece is called Synthesis, Memory. A track again filled with multi-instrumental
flavours, the flute of the artist brings an opportunity to reflect, acknowledge
and most importantly let go. The higher we go the more ethereal and
contemplative the creations become, this piece raises the vivacity of the
moment in a most caring and expansive way.
Whilst here now on our concluding offering called Return to the Cloud, Thank You, a
moment of gratitude can be felt through the tone and timbre of the piece. This
is an all-encompassing last composition, one that is born from the electronic,
bathed in meditative keyboard structures, and manifests a feeling of once more
being grounded in one’s own personal reality.
Ontogenesis by NTHNL is an album that will become a timeless constant in a
listener’s collections; there have been many of who compiled great works using
the chakra system, or various healing modalities, but this is a unique
collection of thoughtful intelligent unconstrained compositions, all which go
to creating an exclusive experience for anyone sensible enough to purchase it,
a thoroughly glorious release that will remain on my playlist of choice for
many years to come.
