The debut solo release from a vastly talented man Tristin Norwell, this work reportedly (i.e. what the press release says – so who am I to argue?) was originally conceived as a ‘Cinefonietta’ an imaginary soundtrack using an orchestra larger than a chamber orchestra but smaller than a symphony orchestra. It evolved over time to become a collection of compositions that reflect his interest in electronica and music production, straddling the worlds of both classical and modern music, and producing something really rather fantastic.
It’s perhaps a bit of a cliché to call instrumental music as being like a soundtrack (after all, how many great soundtracks do feature words and actual singing?!) – and even if this is a soundtrack to an imaginary film (rather than an imaginary soundtrack – it is here, and it exists), the strength of this record is that it enables you to use your imagination to create you own films for it.
Some of the pieces are sublime (the video for ‘Response’ directed by Raoul Teague is just as amazing as the music). Others bordering on the disturbing, but it never adds up to anything less than compelling. Expect to hear more from Mr. Norwell on the strength of this album.
[Rating:4]
Mal Influence is out now on Cinefonietta
