Saturday, October 15, 2011

CD Review – Spectrum, by Hennie Bekker

The latest CD from Africa-born, Canada-based keyboardist Hennie Bekker collects fourteen tracks spanning about a dozen albums.

Some of the tunes are piano-based, while others focus on synthesized electronic textures. Many are inspired by Bekker’s homeland and as such feature the natural ambience of those environs. But whatever the style or sound, all of the tracks are of one accord – as the CD’s subtitle states, they are all indeed pieces of relaxing instrumental music.

While the music is soothing and refreshing, it is also engaging and inventive. Highlights include the Miami Vice vibe of “Urban Trance,” the refreshing reverie of “Stormy Sunday,” and the hip, mellow fusion of “Tranquility.”

In terms of overall feel, Bekker is definitely in the league of Vangelis, Tangerine Dream, and Jan Hammer, and listeners who enjoy those artists will find much to like in Bekker.

--Raj Manoharan

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