The combination of the synths and electronic effects of Jamie Lidell (Super_Collider) and pedal steel guitar from Luke Schneider is a formidable one. The duo's newest record, A Companion for the Spaces Between Dreams is an absurdly good example of exactly how electronic music can be as warm and inviting as any other form.
Opener "The New Land" expands outwards like waves rippling, landscapes warping behind the samples, pulses, and twangs of the steel guitar. The effect is one where vast expanses seem to be opening up behind the sounds. While the music on A Companion for the Spaces Between Dreams was designed for use in ketamine-assisted psychotherapy according to the record's press release, the selections here do work for those not so assisted. What is required, however, is for a listener to be open to this sort of material. "The Passing" eases into its vibe, a plucked guitar pulling things forward, while the elegant "Serene Velocity" is a little Harold Budd-y in its use of piano-like effects in the sonics. Even better is "Left to Heaven" which reminded me a bit of some Bill Nelson solo pieces on Chance Encounters in the Garden of Light, and even the Eno/Lanois collaborations.
This is a record of spaciousness. There's a lot of room to get lost in. I dig that. The sounds here are those of an ambient record, but there's a lot of inventiveness from the electronics of Jamie Lidell and guitar of Luke Schneider as to make this a consistently engaging release. Highly recommended.
A Companion for the Spaces Between Dreams by Jamie Lidell and Luke Schneider is out now via Northern Spy Records. More details via Bandcamp below too.
[Photo: Northern Spy Records]