Ontogenesis By NTHNL

 

Ontogenesis

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.