Barcode Magazine - Danny Turner (editor)
(06/16/01)

TALES FROM THE INCANTINA
Richard Bone

    This is an engaging ambient album, thematically based on a lost world of spiritually benevolent gods from a forgotten mythical age. It may sound contrived, but take it or leave it, as a collection of ambient soundscapes 'Tales From The Incantina' can be anything you want it to be. Dreamy synth pads and melancholy droplets of ambient sound combine to produce what is an effective album to unwind to. The tentative piano stabs of Nagualito seem almost afraid to damage the hazy calm, yet they unwittingly act to draw the listener deeper in. The album is not high in the technological stakes, and therefore, tracks such as 'Ley Lines' occasionally drift into a stylised, rather old-hat Tangerine Dream format, but thankfully not often enough to detract from its overall excellence. I prefer the tracks where the piano is present, they altogether give the tracks a more contemporary, timeless feel, more likely to be appreciated by the Harold Budd or Michael Brook enthusiast. This is most welcoming when blended with some melodic processed flutes, as demonstrated on the best track of the album 'Dzibana'. Conclusively, Richard Bone consistently manages to steer his ship into welcoming seas and invariably resists neglecting the compositions so that they aimlessly wander from the listeners attention. The album ends as enchantingly as it begins with 'Sanctus Sonora', a delightfully quaint and beautifully emotional piano inspired track, warmly protected by its loyal synth strings, it magically induces a submissive state of harmony that Bone's imaginary gods would be proud of.