SACRED GEOMETRY III

A sublime mix of gentle psychedelic atmosphere, subtle electronics and meditative ethnic flavours, the third volume to appear under the Sacred Geometry title, an outlet for main Gong wizard Daevid Allen and Mikey Cosmic to offer delicate and spiritually fulfilling ambient instrumental compositions, is another precious fragile gem. Aided by a few additional musical friends and guests, these releases are for listeners who appreciate thoughtful and reflective music, perhaps to aid in meditation, quiet reflection or as a way to unwind from everyday stresses. Although delicate and laid-back, devoid of any percussive elements or even light beats and frequently highlighted by Mr Allen's ethereal glissando guitar, this volume is, as are all the Sacred Geometry-related releases, full of colour, variety and supreme taste.

Opener `Neeeoooooiiii' instantly weaves a spell around you, as Mikey's wavering synth clouds float between immersive hypnotic vocal drones that call from beyond time, Daevid's glissando guitar tendrils flittering at the corner of your mind. `King Arthurs Court' is not nearly as obvious as its title. Trickling harp glistens into infinity, placid flute wisps around the lightest of shimmering gliss and low-key synth washes, laying you down in a lush soothing garden of the lightest coolest grass. Middle eastern mystery and ancient mysticism permeates `Man Made Desert'. Dusty reverberating guitar ruminations approach and retreat, electronic ebbs delicately fall like raindrops around lonely wafting sax and weeping glissando that cries to the heavens. `Meet the Teacher' is a brief sitar, flute and electronic drone interlude, almost a reprise of a piece from the first `Sacred Geometry' release, and just as exploratory and blissful.

`Cymbercelt' is a soothing collage of world elements that seamlessly bridge the ancient sounds of old with modern electronics. It's a stark and gently sombre meditation, with serene pools of deep space phasing Moog and synth spirals, backwards effects and trickling flute like its running water. Against softly blowing winds, `Cropcircleconstruction' is an brief electronic soundscape, full of wonder, also quite mischievous and playful, but most wonderful of all, it's also deeply comforting and sheltering. After a short reflective invocation from Mr Allen, `Higher Shelf' closes the album on the softest of organ drones, cascading synths, strengthening glissando strains and the most crystalline celtic harp to bring an environment full of love, hope and contentment.

Those who can listen to calmly and quietly, as well as anyone who appreciates the more meditative elements of Mr Allen and Gong's music will treasure this wondrous work. Embracing and magical, `Sacred Geometry 3' is the perfect antidote to negativity, feeling lost and alone, a work that brings inner peace, spiritual healing and a renewed joy for life.

Four stars for this timeless music.