Seven Veils

Seven Veils

The most distressing thing about the advent of electronics as a means of making music is that too many musicians use them lazily, with uninteresting music as the tragic result. Fortunately, this doesn't afflict Robert Rich's <I>Seven Veils</I>, an accomplished piece of work with a light touch. Rich, who plays a variety of stringed and percussion instruments as well as handling synthesizer and sampling duties, pulls off the difficult trick of making moody, atmospheric compositions musically interesting. Although a certain sameness permeates <I>Seven Veils</I>, there's enough variety to keep you listening; the opening, appropriately-titled "Coils" has a sinuous, underwater feel while the three-part "Book of Ecstasy" features shifting melodic and rhythmic textures. The sustained, floating notes of "Ibn Sina" complement the active, dancing rhythms, and Rich saves the best for last with "Lapis," which features an excellent counterpoint between Rich's flute and guest Hans Christian's cello. Deliberately evocative of Middle Eastern music, <I>Seven Veils</I> has a subtle beauty that Rich wisely allows to emerge on its own, rather than forcing it into the ears of his listeners. --<I>Genevieve Williams</I>