TRANSMISSION IV

I know this one from their legendary Coma Divine gig in Rome 1997. My favourite sample regarding the performance, very emotional and comprising a fantastic guitar solo by Steven Wilson. So sooner or later it was about time to come closer. This complete original studio jam has much qualities indeed. Let me point out some significant details concerning the line-up first: the whole keyboard/synth input is provided by Wilson - no, Richard Barbieri is not aboard here. Consequently this implies that some overdubs were obligatory.

The cool percussion adds are presented by a guest musician, Rick Edwards. Chis Maitland concentrates himself on his drum kit exclusively. Well, if you reserve 40 minutes for one improv recording, then you have all the time to let it flow. Ambient and spacey moments are in the majority ... they are building the frame so to say. The kick-off evolves like they were preparing their instruments for a soundcheck. Wilson's pleading guitar comes in, Colin Edwin and Rick Edward intimate some groovy approach and finally they switch into the memorable Moonloop flow step by step.

The bass is the driving force in between where the others often seem to hold back, nice and gripping interaction really. When Markus Butler comes in with his harmonica they groooooove the studio. A fall back into a spacey flow follows repeatedly though, Wilson shines with samples and excellent organ/synth contributions. Coming towards the end the band changes into an uptempo mood and finally really rocks for some furious moments. 'Transmission IV' is a substantial snapshot from Porcupine Tree's spacey era - recommended!