Natura By Michael D. Tidwell & Piscean Daydreams

 

Natura

By

Michael D. Tidwell & Piscean Daydreams

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

The subject of nature has always been one of the constants in my life, from childhood to now, I always felt most at home in the forests, hillsides and woodlands, so listening to this brand new album called Natura was something of a guilty pleasure for me, and I can relate that the artists Michael D. Tidwell & Piscean Daydreams did not let me down.

Our first footfalls in this musical escape into nature comes via the medium of the first track entitled Chapter 1 Nature, this growing opus of sound is the perfect place to start, and akin to the dawn breaking in the wildness of the Earth, as we get to watch everything become in tune with the day ahead, wonderfully layered keyboards can be found here, and they create such an impressive and immersive experience too.

The combination of these sparkling composers offers much for us to enjoy, for example the power and intensity of Chapter 2 Commodity is an incredible manifestation, reminding me greatly of the work of artists like Thom Brennan in their evocative and powerful soundscapes. The electronic mastery here is deeply felt, and extremely distinct in bringing to the listener a sense of an outer worldly reality, the swirling synths give us energies of an efficacious nature.

The more gentle side of the recording is shown here with this delicious creation called Chapter 3 Beauty. There is a steady progression of keyboards here that is truly palpable, one that allows layer upon layer of tonality to fall down like rain upon the listener, then to flow back like the tide and reconstitute itself again later on. However there is a textured depth to this piece that is not to be ignored.

The entire album has an essence of a philosophical nature about its construction, after some research things began to make perfect sense, as the entire release Natura is a contemplative eight-track album inspired by the transcendental philosophy of Ralph Waldo Emerson’s ground-breaking essay, Nature.

The depths that this next offering called Chapter 4 Language went to were very impressive; the performances on synths reminded me in style of US artist Forrest Smithson in texture. This veritable collage of tones and layers truly encapsulated the moment entirely, and in doing so manifested a meditational moment of true profundity.

Once more into this musical maelstrom we go with this next offering entitled Chapter 5 Discipline, but this is no vortex of confusion and randomness, this is exactly the opposite. The whole composition reminded me of the flow and style one gets from a really good Tai Chi master, the mood of this piece was dominant, but in the way of orders and instructions, thus bringing harmony and balance into the proceedings.

Chapter 6 Idealism I would have to say is the most beautiful track from the album, at certain points of construction reminding me of the most meditative works of artists like the UK’s master synth artist Kevin Kendle, a lush deception of perceived realities maybe found here, the synth pads are vast and this gives the listener space to brush away the tonal clouds allowing them to see the truth below, and then the slow acceptance of realisation can be felt too.

I can see myself using this album for my reading projects on those chilly autumn and winter evenings, especially so tracks like this next offering entitled Chapter 7 Spirit. The sense of searching to find meaning is experienced, its juxtaposition to a reality of that you are that meaning, is an interesting find indeed.

Whilst the concluding musical narrative Chapter 8 Prospects, is a sincerely felt opus of sound with an acutely electronic vibration, one that is partnered almost symbiotically by a haunting reverie of drifting angelic and ethereal synth arrangements. This is an utter master class of how to go out of an album in style, and leave the listener wanting even more, a sublime conclusion to a superior album indeed.

Natura by Michael D. Tidwell & Piscean Daydreams may have spawned a new genre in the world of electronic music, perhaps philosophical ambience; it is certainly an inspirational body of work. With deep tonal musical brushstrokes I believe that we have an album here that could attain the mantle of becoming an eternal and timeless classic, and any serious ambient music lover would do themselves a favour by making Natura by Michael D. Tidwell & Piscean Daydreams part of their musical lives as well.