Paul Rijkens, Dutch progressive rockmagazine iO Pages

On his records, Spaniard Max Corbacho follows the footsteps of the groundbreaking American ambientcomposer Steve Roach. He does this solo and in collaboration with somebody like Bruno Sanfilippo on the CD Indalo (look in iO Pages 54 for a review). The on CDR released Moontribe contains four tracks from the period 2000-2001 that not have seen the light earlier and two new pieces from 2003. Corbacho’s music is high-grade, intense and very relaxing. The tribal rhythms that know so well from Roach are present regularly, just as the most fantastic ambientsounds that are created with much care. These sounds form a warm bed as cover for the special rhythms. Unknown Radiance is a great example of this. Corbacho’s music is really of the biggest quality. Actually he goes further there where the music of Roach has become a little less good the last years. The unbelievable great and intriguing atmosphere of tracks like Across The Spectrum and the titletrack are of an unprecedented beauty that I consider masterpieces. In the genre this is the absolute top.

© 2004 – Paul Rijkens, Dutch progressive rockmagazine iO Pages.

Paul Rijkens, Dutch progressive rockmagazine iO Pages

The Argentine Bruno Sanfilippo who lives and works in Spain is a versatile musician. This versatility can also strongly be heard in the album Indalo that he created in collaboration with the Spanish ambient specialst Corbacho. Corbacho already has made a number of special albums with rather intense music. In the summer of 2001 Corbacho en Sanfilippo made a trip to Almeria in Spain. The spectacular nature as well as the historic symbol Indalo inspired them in making this music.

It contains a range of naturesounds from Almeria that are added with the ambientsounds and the nearly ancient rhythms of the duo. This is music where artists like Steve Roach, Robert Rich and VidnaObmana are masters in but in where these gentlemen are also very well at home. The sounds are widely spun, almost like a wave, above the organic rhythms and intriguing atmospheres. The titletrack of almost 22 minutes, with which the CD opens, immediately takes the cake. Quietness is an important element in the music on this CD. In tracks like The Agave Emerges On The Dry Earth and Lava Atmospheres this quietness as a matter of speaking blows around the listener. This is a very special experience. Cabo De Gata and Petrified Wisdom are rather dark. The dreamy A Lucid Dream Of Strange Landscapes takes together the concept of the CD very well.

Highlight of the album in my opinion is Signs Of Former Experiences that almost has a heavenly atmosphere.

2004 – Paul Rijkens, Dutch progressive rockmagazine iO Pages.