DEAN DE BENEDICTIS - A LONE REPLY (2001) ::::: Every once in awhile, a CD comes seemingly out of nowhere and just blows me away. De Benedictis has done solid music before, generally in modern ambient and experimental electronic styles, but nothing prepared me for my reaction to A Lone Reply.

The musicianship on this very tribal work is simply stunning. He rightly credits Steve Roach and Robert Rich for inspiration, and thanks Loren Nerell for his assistance, so that should give an idea of the musical direction. This is one of the most consistent, captivating 80-minute sets of music I've heard in some time. It is haunting and dramatic throughout, full of grace and power. Synthesizers meld with a vast array of primitive instruments from around the globe.

Dedicated to the American Indian, it actually calls up images of several ethnic backgrounds, though the Indian roots remain throughout. Sometimes, the music is haunting and slightly dissonant, as on "What The Wind May Not Tell You." At other moments, like "Embraced," the mood is brighter and prettier. Though the music generally leans toward the dark side, it is all beautiful, all brilliant. If you like ambient with a healthy dose of tribal beats and flutes, this is among the very best. A Lone Reply is a masterwork that deserves a wide audience.

2001 (c) Phil Derby
Exposé Magazine