Royston Vince created ‘London Nights’ in an effort to explore the sense of place of the city he calls home. Inspired partly by Vince’s journey through London on foot, the music he has produced is a fine body of instrumental which does a decent job of evoking what is always a fascinating journey.
‘London Nights’ is very much an album of moods. The title track and the following ‘Soho Midnight’ provide a romantic, sweeping opening; promising the kind of excitement newcomers to London always wish for. Fittingly, the final track - entitled ‘Home’ - is a relaxed affair, its acoustic backing and warm ambience conjuring up images of a relaxing evening by the fireside after a tough day in the city. In between, ‘Behind The Light’ is slower and (not unexpectedly) darker whilst stark piano pieces like ‘Shining River’ and the minimalist Satie-like ‘People Horizon’ are low-key reflective numbers.
Vince’s approach certainly isn’t groundbreaking; largely consisting of either lush electronic melody or melancholic piano pieces, accompanied by simple beats and the occasional sample. This isn’t a criticism because - apart from the dated, noodly space melodies on ‘Brick Lane’ - it’s an intelligent ambient work which achieves Vince’s aim. In fact the whole album would be the perfect soundtrack for a high-speed journey through England’s capital city; if only London were capable of providing such transport facilities.
Web Sites:
Royston Vince MySpace
Further Listening:
Dre’ Pauls
0 Responses to “Review: Royston Vince - London Nights”