September 14, 2016

• Martin Tillman's Superhuman

  Martin Tillman is perhaps best known as a studio musician often performing on electric cello in the scores of the Remote Control composers, especially Hans Zimmer and Harry Gregson-Williams.  Superhuman is a sort of musical journey across time and space if you will.  The music tends to be a cross between trance, techno, and slight club music with touches of rock and even a bit of symphonic sweep.  It does not quite have the feel of a jazz concept album (the closest one might come is a cross between Pat Methany and Craig Chaquico).  Melodic content is not as specific here with a focus more towards unique textures and sounds.  Patterns tend to be presented and then repeated as new sounds are layered.  The tracks here sometimes have that sound of a Sting back-ensemble but without any lyrical thematic content.  The tracks become a variety of suggestive styles some which work very well.  Particularly fascinating are "Zero Gravity" with its more ethereal textures.  And there is even a bit of Bond-like David Arnold styling for "Cracked Diamonds".  The addition of voices also creates a rather unique spiritual quality to "Involuntary Midnight."

  Superhuman is a rather intriguing release that is more aligned with popular music and what we used to call "New Age" styles.  It makes for a great drive CD as the music essentially washes over you creating a nice blend of reflective and upbeat approaches.

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