Soil Festivities

AMG Review of Soil Festivities

Jim Brenholts
All Music Guide

Soil Festivities dates from 1984, before Vangelis was working with orchestras. Some would say that it was before he "sold out" or when he was a "real musician," but those opinions are totally subjective. It is certain that this is a different kind of CD. The album features five movements, each a self-contained soundscape. Vangelis surrounds a subtle drone with heavy sequences and dense atmospheres. He uses a symphonic synth to create pastoral textures. This is a very accessible CD. It will appeal to fans of Constance Demby, Wendy Carlos, Victor Cerullo, and Yanni.