Maarten Van Der Vleuten - A True & Faithful Relation of What Passed for Many Years Between Dr. John Dee and Some Spirits

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4...according to our Ant on Thu 10 Jun, 2010.

This artist I am familiar with from his techno productions on TZ vinyl which was an obscure offshoot of R&S Records in the early 90s. Here he is in dark and occult ambient mode. Opener 'For I Am Of Him That Liveth Forever' is intense, captivating ambient, evoking images of Magick rituals. Alistair Crowley's voice is sampled which adds to the cloaked and sinister feel. In many ways it sounds like something Coil may have come up with. Next we're in classy modern classical territory with weeping strings and the dramatic piano arrangements of 'Dr. Dee's Apology'. Then back into cavernous and bleak drones and haunting ambient glistening tones. Dramatic and engaging throughout and totally recommended. First 100 copies come in unique hand painted sleeves.

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The second Evening of Light release is the new full-length album by Dutch producer Maarten van der Vleuten. Maarten has been active for over two decades as a producer, DJ, and composer of various forms of electronic music, ranging from techno to house, experimental, and ambient. On this latest album, he combines upbeat ritualistic ambient tracks in the vein of his album on Tonefloat records, High Intolerance Towards Low Energies, with calmer compositions, obscure drones and vocal samples. The final result reaches different levels of intensity, from the strong pace of the opening track, to the entrancing drone of “TheLamentation Over The Destruction Of Mortlake”, through the techno-like beats of the penultimate track, and ending with a soothing and reflective piano-based piece. At the centre of it all is the massive “The Magus”, a bright and open piece of esoteric ambient.

The album was inspired by the works of John Dee, court consultant to Queen Elizabeth I, and one of the most prominent magi of the Elizabethan Renaissance. The esoteric theme is reflected in the music, as well as the artwork and design, which features original images from Dee’s work, as well as handmade linocuts in 39 different colour schemes of Dee’s Monas Hieroglyphica, handmade by Phil Legard of Xenis Emputae Travelling Band and Larkfall Recordings.

The first edition of the release is limited to 113 handmade copies, featuring artwork and notes on ivory paper, and the general packaging on black paper. Of this edition, 15 copies are part of a special edition, entirely on ivory paper, with special lyric sheet and a phial of rose leaves and scented oil.

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