Karma

WAY BACK when, yea, as far back even as BC (Before Country), I used to write about a lot of acts that appeared on the Canadian Nettwerk label – notably groups like Skinny Puppy, Manafacture and Moev. I also enthused about Front Line Assembly, whose mainstays, Bill Leeb and Rhys Fulber, formed Delirium as a more melodic, less intense, non-industrial vehicle.

This album came out first a couple of years ago to some acclaim in America. And no wonder. Its mix of electronics and beats, spliced with chants, world music references and guest vocals is hugely compelling.

The vocals are performed by a variety of singers including Kristy Thirsk, Camille Henderson, Sarah McLachlan and Jacqui Hunt, further bolstered by samples from Dead Can Dance (who are an obvious influence and reference point throughout).

The overlaid rhythmic textures also give the music an underlying sense of direction and purpose that makes it ideal travelogue/soundtrack material. While it might be tempting to dismiss Karma as new age self-indulgence, it deserves better than that. There is a depth here that is worth exploring.

It also comes with a second remix disc that emphasises the beat, providing a companion collection that is as much for the feet as for the head.