This didn’t grab me on first listen, but digging deeper I see the light. Layers of authentic late ‘70s and ‘80s synthesizers subtly sift and blend with some seriously resplendent beats- audio sunshine from the Acid Houses to the Ibiza Beaches. Montreal DJ/Producer Mike Silver has taken the time to let his jams respire and evolve at their own rate- half of the dozen tracks clock in at well over six minutes – a point where listeners are truly entranced by the delicate loops sprinkled with pan-flute, funky bass lines and piano arpeggios. Though rich with depth and layers, this album ultimately fails for never really grabbing the listener, choosing to linger on the ambient side of the mix, with vocals totally lost in the fog. It leaves these epic synthscapes in the open to be tagged as ironically bad soundtracks to old porn or Miami Vice spin-offs. Recommended for those looking for background music.

Published in Volume 64, Number 19 of The Uniter (February 11, 2010)