Short Reviews [4th Eden - 2022 - "Epsilon"]

Released just a few weeks after ‘Delta’, here we have ‘Epsilon’. I am guessing Martin recorded all the songs over a period and then decided it would be best to release two albums instead of one lengthy one, and then put certain tracks on each depending on the overall sound and feeling. Although both could be described as ambient I guess, this one is much more in that style than ‘Delta’, yet also has more orchestral elements. There are times, especially in “The Wide Open Expanse” where one can clearly hear Martin’s musical palette opening up as while this is strongly Vangelis in nature, there are also times when one can hear the impact of Wakeman and that player’s own ambient series. I have been fortunate to hear Martin’s music since he started making albums available, and there is no doubt he has grown immensely in a relatively short period of time as his arrangements and melodies are now far more intricate and developed in a way which does not make one think this is a low-key independent affair. His approach is somewhat similar to Alfred Mueller of Soniq Theater in that he generally does everything himself, makes it available to the public, and then moves onto the next one, although Alfred releases an album a year (January 1st, without fail) while here Martin worked on two at the same time. This is a very pleasant album indeed, and while I slightly prefer ‘Delta’ that is solely down to musical taste and I am sure there will be many who view them in the same light. It is currently possible to buy his complete digital discography for just 43.20 GBP, which is a great deal if you enjoy electronic, ambient, New Age music from deepest Wales.