Erik Wøllo – Airborne

Erik Wøllo "Airborne" CD

Norwegian ambient guitar virtuoso Erik Wøllo has released "Airborne" album during the end of August, 2012, on Projekt as his, if I am counting correctly, 16th solo work. Of course Erik's extensive discography features also several other outstanding collaborations with artists such as Steve Roach, Ian Boddy, Deborah Martin, Bernhard Wöstheinrich and Frank Van Bogaert. The album, which follows the footsteps of Erik's triumphant debut on Projekt, "Gateway", comes in elegant 4-panel digipak leaded by graceful dreamy cover image by Karsten Wall and panoramic inside photo by Erik.

"Spring Equinox (Prelude)" ignites the journey with lushly swirling embellishments, while balmy scenic washes are guarding above. Then sighing string magic steal the show and guides this opening piece into utterly evocative realms. "The Drift" unfolds with gentle percussive rhythm, warmly spiraling aerials follow shortly backed by soaring strings. A quite absorbing high-tech/tribal/groove-infused adventure!!! "Red Earth", with 7 minutes the longest piece on album, starts with quiet intro, but soon sparse, but strongly evocative strings with desert Southwest flavorings take the lead. Then swiftly shimmering percussions join this amazingly panoramic trip through these grandiose landscapes. A true masterpiece, bravo, Erik!!! Aerial meandering opens "Airborne 1", soon followed by expressive guitar shadings. But it's hauntingly poignant piano that later steals the show together with wonderfully gladdening downtempos. "Circle Lake" quickly turns into gorgeously nostalgic and expansive terrains enriched by pristine strings and organic samples. This composition showcases absolutely flawless harmony between electronics and acoustics. "Lost And Found" remains in wonderfully evocative skyline realms, which later transform into richly luminous, rhythm-induced mesmerizing trip. Sparkling melodies dominate "Airborne 2", while catchy locomoting vibes floats throughout. "The Longest Day" delves into strongly melancholic terrains, where leading acoustic string magic is masterfully coupled with soaring dreamy blankets. Another outstandingly evocative composition!!! "Time River" reveals with serenely embracing ambience, which gently evolves and drifts into catchy percussive-driven melodies, sparkily picturesque and exquisitely enriched by poignantly nostalgic stings. Another stunner!!! "North Of The Mountains" quickly attracts with its fragile touch and charmingly translucent harmony of all ingredients, a headphone listening reveals all the magic of this piece (so it does with all other tracks)!!! "The Magic Spot" melts precisely primordial essences of didgeridoo and tribal drumming with large dose of modern sonic alchemy. A highly quivering trancescape infused by Erik's trademarking guitar mastery. What a journey!!! And a very tough competitor for "Red Earth"!!! "Airborne 3" closes the album with gorgeously celestial washes strengthened by wistful violin-like cries. Majestically immersing!!!

"Airborne" is blazingly flavored masterwork offering a truly essential listening experience for all connoisseurs of shimmeringly expansive ambience bridged with filigreeing guitar brilliance. Erik Wøllo is an ambient icon and "Airborne" is his magnum opus!!! Now the question is, what he will to do to follow this up? Well, the answer is getting closer and closer, because Erik's newest album "Timelines" is hitting the streets in two days, at February 4th, 2014...

Richard Gürtler (Feb 02, 2014, Bratislava, Slovakia)