Psychedelic Voyage by Javi Cánovas

"Psychedelic Voyage" by Javi Canovas. The 'title track' starts with pitch-bending psychedelic effects, reminding me of those 1950's sci-fi B-movies. Strange sounds swirl around my head, eventually subsiding as an organ stirs ambient waves over a deep tonal backdrop of wind effects. Analogue sequencing develops into a rhythm, and further synthesizer effects are being added, and the rhythm builds louder and faster, and it really does feel as though we are on a 'Psychedelic Voyage' travelling across a 'space rainbow' with effects building to peaks as if bouncing off the 'aurora of magnetic waves' and a kalaidescope of the light spectrum is shooting in all directions! This is fantastic head-nodding sequencer heaven in full flow. The music builds and peaks in waves, the analogue sounds are awesome. The power subsides to ambient tonal ending. Wow! 'Mechanical Spirit' starts where the first track left, with an organ sound. Strange effects build an air of anticipation, then all is replaced with sequencing underpinned with a synthesized rhythm, and a second quite hypnotic pulse. Effects are being added and it builds with flute sound playing, then an electric piano as a new groovy-funky sounding rhythm transforms the whole feel of the piece. Now I can connect with the title as a positive mechanical sound with a playful spirit. There are effects and an occasional lead line soaring across, and it is all high quality stuff! It dissolves into ambient ending and I'm trying to catch my breath. Fantastic! 'Into The Sylence' has a delicate beautiful piano playing a reflective and emotional tune. I can breathe and relax to this not so electronic lovely relaxing short piece. Just gorgeous! 'Sundown' opens with a powerful ambient build up of planetary proportions. Maybe a huge magnetic storm is sweeping through the cosmos, the rays of the sun flickering across the atmospheric limits, bouncing off, as a rhythmic sequencing comes forward, being joined by a rainbow of effects, and a second rhythm. Flute is playing a lead line to the analogue sounds, electric guitar adds soul, being underpinned by ambient organ drone and Kraftwerk-like synth notes. This develops into quite a mesmerising brew of amazing playing. The guitar works really well and fits the piece as an essential and intergral part and I feel like the music is giving me a 'high' that I must have. It briefly breaks down, then a new rhythm is formed and electric guitar takes you through a portal into an alternative psychedelic universe. This guy sure knows how to play guitar, and the sequencing leaves me ecstatic, my whole body is en-'tranced'! This is absolutely amazing! There is an almost progressive 60's psychedelia feel for the 21st century, and it builds with more sequency effects and guitar brew getting louder to a huge rhythmic peak of power. Guitar licks flick over the top, then sequencer keeping on a high of highs right up until the end, as it gradually then fades into ambient choral effects and organ sounds. I'd forgotten just how good this album really is. An overlooked 'classic' of a synth album by the amazing Javi Canovas!
Review by Geoff Mason.

Javier Cánovas is a prolific electronic artist from Santa Cruz de Tenerife. J.Cánovas has worked on his take on Berlin school inspired style since around 2005, but is also since active in other similar ambiental projects like 23FISH with David Paredes and Audiometria with Miguel Justo.