Malcolm Galloway is now one off my favorite UK artists. He continues to shine with bright, intelligent music from both his band work, with Hats Off Gentlemen It’s Adequate and his solo work. Patterns, is Malcolm’s sixth solo classical/minimalist album. Which shows you how much catching up I have to do; (this is my first review of his solo work).
Patterns, is a mix of “30 minutes of new music and a retrospective of some of Malcolm’s favorite tracks from his previous releases, and mostly consists of material not previously available on Bandcamp”. It is a collection of instrumental classical contemporary/minimalist music by Malcolm Galloway.
The album was released on Malcolm Galloway’s Bandcamp site on August 12, 2022. All music was written, performed, mixed, and mastered by Malcolm Galloway.
I remember watching Malcolm’s webcasts during and after the pandemic, playing keyboards and piano, from his home and singing some of my favorite covers from the past. While he was at that keyboard and piano, he must have also been developing and creating this wonderful album.
This is perfect music to work, study, eat, and to just relax comfortably. In fact, it is music perfect for all occasions, including contemplation, meditation, or yoga.
No lyrics or vocals, simply beautiful keyboard music, full of passion and inner emotion, that you can use to calm your daily existence. Many of these tracks are long, expeditions of exuberance and joy. Imagine someone taking the time to create, arrange and play all of these epic works of art, and the time it must take to perfect it.
We get to sit back and enjoy every minute, without much effort at all.
My favorite tracks are: the opener, “Kites and Darts”, which reminds me more of the persistent rain which we have in Washington; and which Malcolm is well aware of in the UK. We do miss it during dry spells and heat waves, now that global warming is upon us. I’m sure I’ll play this often, when the season returns.
“Pattern Jugglers”, is full of cool xylophone sounding keys and joyful, bouncy rhythms, amidst soft percussion, and guitar.
“Spiral”, is another favorite with the surprises, twists and curves, on its over 35-minute journey.
“Shelter”, is full of eerie strings and orchestration. But it is a welcome change from the keys.
“Lighthouse”, is my favorite track, with what sounds like flute keys, woodwind orchestration and strings. Beautiful calmness, manifest.
“Wasp – 76b”, is the album closer. It continues the soft keys, with some added drums and strings. The synthesizer additions are tremendous.
This is a wonderful album of relaxing, contemplative music. I hear reminders of Eddie Jobson’s Green album, Alan Parsons, and the works of Larry Fast, all of which I enjoy. If you enjoy, quiet contemplative music like this, please check out Malcolm Galloway’s new Patterns, album. If you, like I, enjoy the instrumental parts of Hats Off Gentlemen It’s Adequate’s music, you will enjoy this album as well.
Track List
- Kites and Darts – 13:45
- Pattern Jugglers – 7:40
- Oblong – 20:45
- Automatum A – 13:42
- Chemistry – 15:56
- Slow – 6:17
- Jewel Fish – 12:00
- Spiral – 35:47
- Shelter – 3:45
- Lighthouse – 3:27
- Wasp – 76b – 14:50
https://malcolmgalloway.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/malcolmitsadequate