SiJ & Textere Oris – Reflections At The Sea (Album – Cryo Chamber)
Genre/Influences: Cinematographic, Dark-Ambient.
Format: Digital, CD.
Background/Info: This album resulted from the common efforts between Ukrainian Vladislav Sikach (SiJ) and Russian Ilya Fursov (Textere Oris). Both artists have already released different works on Cryo Chamber and previously released the album, “Reflections Under The Sky” (2016)
Content: This work is quite diversified, but mainly inspired by Cinematographic music. The album takes off with a heavy, atmospheric piece carried by guitar playing and a kind of trumpet sound. Buzzing sound waves supporting the track. Other pieces are characterized by delicate piano arrangements while there also is a kind of free-styled Jazzy experiment for dark souls. Another passage is driven by the magic of a duduk, injecting a Middle-Eastern touch to the work. Field recordings are running through the work. A few cuts are driven by slow rhythms.
+ + + : The opening track “Nevesomost” is an overwhelming piece of music and a perfect way to take off. I like the album’s diversity, which however sounds compact. The tracks are meticulously elaborated and I also have to mention the great chants and effects emerging on several cuts. The global atmosphere has something intimate although sometimes ominous and even becoming sensual through the addition of a slow cadence.
– – – : The album is maybe missing a total apotheosis, but we get a succession of cool and accomplished tracks instead; no reason to complaining here!
Conclusion: SiJ and Textere Oris have accomplished a meaningful and elaborated cinematographic experience, which I can only highly recommend.
Best songs: “Nevesomost”, “K Moryu”, “After Sunset” Kolokola”.
Rate: 7½.
Artists: www.facebook.com/sijmusic / www.facebook.com/textere.oris
Label: www.cryochamberlabel.com / www.facebook.com/CryoChamber
About SiJ & Textere Oris
SiJ & Textere Oris pairs Ukrainian producer Vladislav Sikach, who records as SiJ, with Russian producer Ilya Fursov, who records as Textere Oris. Cryo Chamber announced the duo in February 2016 with their first joint album, and Side-Line reported the signing at the time in Cryo Chamber welcomes SiJ & Textere Oris to the label – ‘Reflections under the Sky’ album out now.
Both work outside the duo as well. Side-Line reviewed Sikach’s collaboration with Item Caligo as Sij & Item Caligo – Queer Reminiscence (CD Album – Reverse Alignment) in 2017, and reported on the SiJ album “The Time Machine” the same year.
“Reflections at the Sea” was released on 20 April 2021 by Cryo Chamber as the sequel to the 2016 album. All tracks were written by Sikach and Fursov between 2015 and 2020. Sikach played synthesizer and keyboards and supplied field recordings; Fursov added synthesizer, field recordings, percussion, sampling, duduk and voice, and mixed and mastered the record. The ten tracks are “Nevesomost”, “Kolokola”, “Perekrestok”, “Train Leaves in the Rain”, “The City That Fell Asleep in the Fog”, “Veter 101”, “K Moryu”, “Zakat”, “After Sunset” and “Before Sunrise”.
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