In 1990 Daniel Crommie acquired a Fostex Model 80 quarter-inch eight track recorder, a Fostex 12-channel mixer and numerous affordable rack-mount effects - and built his first studio "The Living Room". The first album projects completed with this new set-up were "Shadowgraph" and "Skybridge". "Shadowgraph" was a primarily song-based album and "Skybridge" was an entirely instrumental album featuring synthesizers and flutes. Originally released on cassette in 1991 concurrently with "Shadowgraph", "Skybridge" is re-released digitally - you can listen & download from Band Camp.
Reviews:
DANIEL CROMMIE, Skybridge
Here is a lovely, mellow instrumental recording comprised mostly of synthesizer, percussion instruments and various flutes. Its smooth, melodic arrangements provide a relaxing backdrop to work or to meditate by. There are no rough edges on this tape, enabling it to be easy on the nerves, as well as the ears. Artist Daniel Crommie is the sole writer, performer, engineer and producer on this quality recording. This tape is sure to be enjoyed by New Age and fusion fans alike.
Heartsong Review Fall ’91 / Winter ‘92
Skybridge by Daniel Crommie
On this other New Weave cassette, Skybridge, are Crommie’s solo works. His highly creative compositions move through electro-primal and New Age sounds – some potent, others calming, but never boring. Driving synth sequences and drums accompanied by flute are transformed into earthly spirit choruses punctuated with haunting samples and primitive instruments. While playing many synths, samplers, drums/percussion, and some HOT flute licks, he manages to avoid a saturated, fatiguing air. Instead the pieces are sparse and minimal, with a particular emphasis on content. Skybridge lacks the spontaneity and the edge of his collaboration with Jamie Haggerty (see Heat Lightning), but it is still recommended listening material. (Crommie has many solo tapes available and appears on various New Weave samplers.)
Synthesis / 1991 - (JW)
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