Soundtracks, the latest collection of mesmerizing songs from author turned multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Tim Morse, opens with “Remembrance” -- a 34-second aural delight that should be the sound of every personal electronic device when it powers on. Next, “Cityscape” brings the space, funk and jazz in a majestic instrumental tour de force.
“Broken Compass,” the album’s first vocal track, could be a lost singer-songwriter cut from the Seventies. But with Morse’s penchant for modern prog melodies, he takes the song in unexpected directions and leaves listeners hoping his sweet-sounding voice adorns more songs on Soundtracks. The good news? It does. And while his vocals sound less natural on the title track, the singer-songwriter vibe returns on “Blueberry Way,” which reveals Morse as a California hippie at heart. He even takes a risk with John Lennon’s “Mind Games” and delivers -- both vocally and with his keyboard-heavy arrangement.
Elsewhere, Morse showcases delicate acoustic guitar, along with what sounds like keyboard-generated trumpet and xylophone, on the brief “By the River,” which is followed by the tribal-hoedown hybrid “Balance.” Other instrumental pieces include the lilting piano ballad “Deidra” and the haunting “Empty Vessels.” Each piece is moody, cinematic and stuffed with drama and melody.
Taken as a whole, Soundtracks is a pure joy. I can’t wait to play it again.
Track Listing
1. Remembrance
2. Cityscape
3. Broken Compass
4. By the River
5. Balance
6. Soundtracks
7. Empty Vessels
8. Blueberry Way
9. As Yet Untitled
10. Solar Flare
11. Deidra
12. Mind Games
13. Lullaby
14. Vortex
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