Foreign Terrain "LP 1" Soleilmoon Recordings SOL 117 CD 2000 (65:40)

The Beneficial and Deviant (1:10)
Aggro-Rock (1:10)
Lament (:19)
Artemis (2:13)
Indian Philosophy (1:34)
Hessia (2:31)
Ambisolata (:48)
The Secret of Modern Propaganda (:50)
Entrance to Mecca via Jedda (the Camel Trader's Secret Route) (:35)
Hand of Fatima (Sharp Blow to the Head Vers 1.2) (1:30)
Horns of Tibet (That Blows to Warn of Communist Indoctrination) (1:47)
Lament of Mahgreb (:33)
Solitude of Beck (1:02)
Magnetic Navigator (:48)
Dumb Found Some (8:32)
Broadway Preacher (3:24)
Iran 76 (1:40)
Solitude of Beck Vers II (1:18)
Radium (7:49)
Explosive Negative (Final Exposure) (1:22)
Node (4:56)
Dark Terrain (1:41)
Foreign Terrain (1:06)
Introduction to Autumn (1:33)
Oblique Eccentricity (12:12)
1000 Teardrops (2:17)
Exclusive Remix:  Foreign Terrain on Mask 300 (aka Daisy Daisy) (1:00)

Foreign Terrain is Andrew Diey of Manchester, UK.  "LP 1" was originally a very limited cd-r release but now it is the readily available debut for Soleilmoon Recordings.  Though indexed as 27 separate tracks, most less than a few minutes, the nearly 66 minutes total is a single uninterrupted sonic journey.  Diey's music is a smooth and mellow electro-ambient collage that touches upon dub, techno and hip hop with laid back beats interspersed every few tracks.  Sounds found within include many natural environments, snatches of vocals, dialogue, rappers, laughter, rain and running water, footsteps, snoring and the ambiance of a tennis match.  The 12+ minute mini epic "Oblique Eccentricity" seems to sum it all up best and adds jazzy bass and keys.  The influence of friend and fellow Manchester resident the late Bryn Jones (aka Muslimgauze) is apparent, but not to the point of being derivative, through several of the track titles, a brief remix of "Hand of Fatima" and some of the sounds.  In fact, the insert notes "Dedicated to Bryn Jones, Inspired by Muslimgauze".  The overall vibe is indeed similar to Muslimgauze, especially the more ominous electronic moments, but Foreign Terrain is also playful and cheery at times.  I get a strong sense of motion and travel from this music, almost as if Kraftwerk left the Autobahn, picked
up Brian Eno and The Orb then headed for the deserts of the Middle East and rain forests of South America for a few weeks while listening to a Chain Reaction and hip hop mix tape.  "LP 1" is easy on the ears and thoroughly relaxing, music for anytime and anywhere and music to take you away from anytime and anywhere.  This might just make my top 10 of 2000 list.  More releases by Foreign Terrain and another more mysterious Diey project, Black Faction, are to follow.  Stay tuned at www.langmanis.com ...

Langmanis (Official Home of Foreign Terrain & Black Faction)
Soleilmoon Recordings

Where did I get this cd? - mail order via Riouxs Records.

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