VOICES

I have dubbed the opening and title piece 'Chariots of Fire, Part Two.' It's not the same music, but it conveys the same tone of power and overcoming obstacles. It is a powerful piece that starts with a long buildup, which morphs into a heavy rhythm backing a male chorus. About 2/3 of the way through there is a really cool drum break. After reaching a climax, Voices blends into Echoes, which is a variation of the same melody only done more spacey. The pulsing rhythm is augmented by synth embellishments. The third track, Come to Me shows another side of the title for this album ? it is a song. Slow, dense and dreamy. P.S. is a reprise of the original theme. Ask the Mountain is another song, here more minimalist than dreamy, a space all its own. Prelude serves as an instrumental lead-in to Losing Sleep (Still, My Heart), the best song here. Again, dreamy and lush, but with a slow power inexhorable as a rising tide. This segues to the climax of the album, Messages, which was meant to convey extraterrestrial voices over the radio but reminds me of hiking in the Alps due to the rhythm, which is not unlike Everest from China. The main melody is presented as a grand humm and vocalizing that reaches its own climax. The bubbly voices, which serve as the background for this piece, continue on and fade out. All the voices on this piece sound synthesized to me. From this emanates Dream in An Open Place, one of Vangelis' most haunting closing pieces. Almost cloying, it tugs on the heartstrings and creates a sense of cosmic longing. Throughout, a strong sense of melody and rhythm pleases the ears. The music is sophisticated, mature, and inspired.

This album was his first of original music in three years and it is clear that he had once again been developing new techniques of composing, orchestrating and performing. The choir has become a mainstay and that is a good thing. The vocal songs may turn off purists, but that's their loss. Voices is more eclectic than most Vangelis releases, but the man is a master of many styles. From the rousing to the dreamy, this album delivers in every way.

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