From the opening keyboard theme of “Spring Rain” to the final atmospheric moments of “Silent Embrace”, Hennie Bekker's greatest hits CD Spectrum is just that... great!
What makes Bekker's music a little different from your usual New Age is best described with 'classical' music terms. Basically, the songs often feature Baroque complexity, but are set with Classical restraint. “Heart of Africa” is a great example. Just try to hear everything that's going on once the song gets cranked up. There's various rhythmic percussion (I'm not getting into synth vs. acoustic, by the way, because that's not at issue here), fuzz bass, mallet percussion, string and chorus effects, and even nature sounds! So there's your Baroque complexity. The Classical restraint, however, means that none of this is overwhelming to the ears. In fact, it all comes together in a beautiful, tuneful whole that is quite energizing.
“Stormy Sunday” is a track where Bekker shows off another of his musical abilities; not only can he write a great theme, but he develops each one to the fullest. Here he carries the listener through a series of slight variations, with the theme introduced at different pitch levels in a nearly fugue-like manner. And once again it all comes together so very well, this time with a clap of thunder.
Spectrum is everything that New Age music should be, with none of the tedium that is the plague of the genre. If New Age is your thing, here is a collection for you that has some of the best work of a true master. You owe it to yourself to put this recording in your personal collection. Enjoy!
Key Tracks- Heart of Africa, Stormy Sunday, Sands of Time
Donny Harvey- MuzikReviews.com Staff
September 15, 2011
