The Inner Wave. What could be a more fitting name for a compilation that gathers together ambient and acid excursions, most of them from the late pioneering age of the genres in question? According to the press release, the exoticism that is noted in the title and can be heard throughout the 20 tracks is driven by Asian and African music cultures. This can be heard especially in the tracks that do not rest demonstratively in themselves, but work with vocals and conventional beat structures. Finis Africae’s »Hybla«, for example, unites African voices and instrumentation in a sustainable loop. At that time, the origin of the sounds was not specified, the continent of origin had to suffice. Jon Hassell’s and Brian Eno’s vision of a Fourth World Music, probably the biggest step to date to unite music from the global North and South, was not yet many years old. The pieces that clearly dig into the musical contexts of the exotic are contrasted above all by wafting ambient epics. Suso Saiz collages string loops with lively field recordings on the dreamlike »Horizonte Paseo«, Orféon Gagarin provides the right mix of affectionate acid sounds and droning tape foundations with the wonderfully bubbling »Última Instancia«, Camino al Desván, one of two women on the compilation, presents what is probably the most experimental sound study with »Fock Intimida a Gordi«. »La Ola Interior – Spanish Ambient And Acid Exoticism 1983-1990« is particularly well suited as a contemporary document that captures the mood of creative niche music in post-Franquist Spain. The tracks, originally recorded on tapes, are thoroughly enjoyable to listen to, not in spite of, but because of their amiable exotic quirks.
Giuseppe Ielasi
Rhetorical Islands
Faitiche