Drift review Sonic Souls Retina

Adham Shaikh & Tim Floyd “drift ” on Instinct Records.

An updating of the kind of soundscapes Fripp & Eno made famous in the late ’70s While Shaikh and Floyd owe a lot to past masters, that in no way diminishes the eloquent beauty of this fine album. Shaikh provides a rich layer of delicate ambience as a subtle bed for Floyd’s gentle guitar echoes, and together, they create a sonic bliss that evokes a haunting trance state.

However, this is a somber and quiet mood, rather than a psychedelic mind bender. At times this album comes frighteningly close to being placed among the new age schlock at your local mall CD shop, and I am sure that it would be quite welcome in the hippie hang out that peddles incense, homeopathic literature, and wind chimes. However, Drift is far more genuine and heartfelt that much of what you’d find in the

New Age section. Its spirituality is met with an experimental edge and the musicianship is of the highest quality. This is a disc that would be very therapeutic to the stressed out workforce. It is even music your parents would approve of, especially if they are still storing a bong in the boxes of your attic. Lovegrove