• Label: ECHOSPACE
• Cat No: ECHOSPACE-AIR1
• 21/11/2009  

If ever there was a bit of a dream team-up I think we have it right here. A hugely anticipated album from two undeniably talented producers and together they’ve brought us something to really savour. Brock’s move into more ambient territory has been slow and sure and as you all know this is really where I think he excels sound-wise. White Clouds Drift is an exquisite and beautifully realised series of emotional, deep and so, so luscious tracks that, as ever, wear their heart on their sleeve with titles such as ‘A Gentle Hand To Hold’, ‘A Chance To Start Over’ and ‘Forever A Stranger’. From beginning to end this is an album of fluid, yet dense atmosphere that will grab you instantly and then never let go. Brock’s penchant for vocal elements works wonders here and a special mention must go to the absolutely spellbinding ‘I Knew Happiness Once’ for blending delicious textures and a uniquely moving and organic sample. They work together in perfect harmony to create a mood that’s totally beguiling. There are classical elements here as well as his trademark layers and washes of sound and they all work together to make a haunting, deeply affecting and melodically advanced series of tracks that you’ll be listening to years from now. Seriously, this is a wonderful, wonderful project and I couldn’t be more thrilled that it’s seen such an impressive fruition. And then, of course, we come to the second disc with Steve Hitchell’s Intrusion interpretations. I like to think the originals were the inspiration for a distinct set of works rather than a direct set of straight remixes. Certainly there are elements of them in there – a chord sound here, an atmosphere there and a snippet of melody or vocal as well. But, they really are unique visions of Brock’s work. The first cut clocks in at a mighty 25 minutes and, I suppose in some ways, is probably the most ‘Intrusion’ sounding of the pieces. Washes of static and hiss envelop some deep, deep chords and a distant 4/4 beat giving it a really ghostly feel. There’s aquatic sounding and then there’s this – sheer bliss. At this point the tracks begin to feature a more overly electronica-based sound and the rhythms slow down using some absolutely classic drum machine sounds and beautiful melodic components to convey, once again, a sense of solitude and sadness. Every note feels right and every chord is laid in exactly the right place to give you a real shot of emotion and the overall effect is really quite sensational. I’m hard pushed to really describe how good these tracks are and, in some ways, I don’t think I need to go into too much detail – when you hear them you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about. The ebb and flow of the rhythmic styles, the awesome chord progressions, the icy yet warm feel of the tracks – this is pure gold it must be said and, for me at least, I’d stand proud and announce that I think this is Steve’s finest work to date. When you consider just how prominent and respected these artists are it’s no real surprise to find them working off each other so beautifully like this – the result is 100% stunning and this album must go down as a truly essential piece of work. Now I’ll stop and let the music do the rest of the talking.