On to other Worlds

Once in a long while, I can be found at a loss for words. I’ve been stuck there for a bit, and when you here this selection, you may begin to understand why. I’ve been listening to Ukranian composer Sergey Rybytskyy’s “In Labyrinths of the Soul” and getting lost in it.

It has taken me bit to get my head around this one. I had to through off any preconceptions I’ve had about a “record review” and work with a fresh piece of wax (so to speak).

“In Labyrinths of the Soul” is not a rock record, it’s not pop, country, new wave, jam, space, dub, disco, or anything that fits any sort of normal classification. This is a record by a composer , a good composer! Rybytskyy has obviously been well schooled in the traditional classics and more progressive stylings of the late 20th-century composers. He also displays the talents associated with many modern prog-rock musicians.

Indeed! I’m very fond of Alice Cooper’s creations esp. his albums in 1989, 1991 (with Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Vinnie Moore), 1994. I listened to them many times. And of course, Ozzy!

However, Jason Becker and Marty Friedman are my idols forever. To my deep regret Jason wasn’t able to realize his divine talent because of terrible disease.

This is a piece of work, from beginning to end, that doesn’t cease to impress. It’s unlike anything I’ve listened to in years, but reminds me of all sorts of cool stuff! It’s like a movie – not just a soundtrack – but the whole experience. With eyes closed, and headphones cranked, one can be transported through space and time to any number of worlds in this compilation.

As far as my recommendation… I now have the whole thing in my rotating playlist, and find it hard to skip a track… One of my favorites is “Nocturne” a slow piece with an Alice Cooper kind of sound to it, and some great ethereal “Satch” guitars.

Now the technical stuff…

Sergey makes it plain that he is a keyboardist and midi-arranger. Fore-knowledge of this fact can turn some people off, but you’re reading a report written by a Kraftwerk fan…

Let me assuage any fears! About 30 seconds into one of Sergey’s records, and you will not care whether you are hearing a real harpsichord or a Gibson through a Marshall stack. Rybytskyy is one of the best midi manipulators I’ve heard in years. He uses instrument patches that span the gammut from pre-classical to modern instruments, and works them so realistically that one forgets they are recreations.

From the right amount of velocity on the pizzicato bits to realistic vibrato to the string bends and pick scrapes, he gets it all in there. And to beat all, it’s not programmed, he plays it! Slow passages and blistering tempos alike are no problem, the cat is one fantastic keyboardist.

Keep your ears open! I would not be surprised to hear some of Sergey Rybytskyy’s work in film or TV sometime in the near future. In the meantime, give him a shout on Facebook and you can get a copy of “Labyrinths of the Soul” at Amazon.