pantha Du prince & the bell laboratory

Panthu Du Prince & The  Bell Laboratory

Elements of light
Rough Trade; 2013

3.5 out of 5

The classically-constructed five-movement piece starts quietly with the handbell choir The Bell Laboratory ("Wave"), then gradualy flows into du Prince's carillon playing, and slowly the electronic effects begin to creep in. About halfway through the second track, "Particle", du Prince turns the groove on, and things really start to pulse along. The first three tracks are the most impressive and enjoyable, but by the time we get to the longest track, "Spectral Split", the pace and development are more leisurely. Eventually, the momentum builds again, then unwinds into the final track, with The Bell Laboratory providing a beautiful conclusion. There's a successful blend of the organic/acoustic and the electronic here, and at times it's very reminiscent of the opening sections of Mike Oldfield's "Tubular Bells". I found that it makes for great driving music, though I'm no expert on how "danceable" it is. The upshot is, this is an unusual and very satisifying album for anyone who likes good electronica, bells, or any well-done contemporary instrumental music.