ANTHONY BASKEY
The Elysium Project
Infinite Creations (1998)

The Elysium Project, from keyboardist Anthony Baskey, is one of the more subtly diverse electronic music CDs I've heard in a while. What's equally startling is how good Anthony is at all the different synth approaches he tackles. The album is meticulously recorded and engineered, which only adds to the appeal of the music. While technically a 1998 release, this should land solidly on my best of 1999 list ! The CD contains many moments of peaceful beauty and exquisite melodic synth music.

The album opens with "Renewal (Sonny)" with synth pan pipes, lush washes and gentle rhythms, soon joined by a lilting melody line carried by a synth flute. It's a pretty start to the trip. This is followed by an even more serene floating peace, "Elysium". Parts of this remind me of Danna and Clement's song, "To the Land Beneath the Sea". This is another great piece with patient Serrie-like washes counterpointed by an oboe-like tone (the Danna and Clement sound). "Veneration", starts out as a floating ambient song with harp-like synth notes and gentle washes, eventually mixing in a fast tempo Euro-style Em sequencer line as well. The juxtaposition works quite well - the calm with the frenetic. "East meets West" is dark in tone and uses synth vibes and synth koto to create an intoxicating world fusion piece. "Heathersett" should remind Jonn Serrie fans of his recent work on releases like Midsummer Century with its lush romanticism (again graced by that synth oboe). "Journey to Mecca" has tribal textures, courtesy of excellent synth percussion, sounding more than a little like Steve Roach, from his Soma/Strata days, albeit with a more overt world fusion sound thrown in. Trying to accurately describe this release is difficult because Anthony effectively mixes so many influences together and yet adds more than enough to call this disc solidly his own.

I mentioned the artists that I was reminded of in order to identify the music on The Elysium Project, but in no way is this copycat music. Instead, think of Anthony as being influenced by some of the best in the business and using their inspiration as a departure point. Most of the time, The Elysium Project is quiet and calm in nature and many songs could qualify as warm melodic space music. However, as I stated earlier, there is subtle but distinct variety herein. Every cut on this CD is a winner to my ears. A most impressive debut ! All I can add to that is, "More, more !".

Bill Binkleman - Editor and Publisher of WIND AND WIRE

The Magazine of New Instrumental Music - July 1999

ANTHONY BASKEY
The Elysium Project
Infinite Creations (1998)

Lloyd Barde of Backroads Music (1999)

When we heard this CD from Canada, it was impossible to turn it down. A wonderful space of relaxation is created, one in which the listener can find a personal place of renewal. The music is quite visual, with a collage of sounds that begin in the realm of keyboards and gradually turn outwards to what sounds like hammered dulcimer or koto music, only with the most serene, soothing tempo and flavor. As the nine compositions unfold one into the next, Baskey moves through lush rhythms, floating spaces, Serrie-like washes and music reminiscent of Danna & Clement, fellow Canadians. Mid-tempo electronics add a nice counterpoint at times, balancing the romantic side of "The Elysium Project" with tribal textures that even bring to mind the excellent Roach/Rich collaborations. Despite the reference points, this is quite original music, taking stellar influences and using their inspiration merely as departure points. While most of the journey here is quiet and calm, with an emphasis on warm, melodic space music, the variety and distinctiveness set this apart as a truly excellent debut, one that makes us eager to hear more from this upcoming artist.

Sequences (UK) Magazine - Gary Andrews - July 1999

One from Canada this time.  It is fairly unusual that so much music coming out of the US and Canada, is of a more softer/relaxed approach than the more frantic synth rock styles of Europe.  Why this is so I do not know, naturally there are of course some exceptions to the rule, but it intrigues me.  Anthony's music is firmly in the relaxed style, gentle but invigorating at the same time.  For comparisons, if you liked Chris Spheeris' album "Desires of the Heart" you will like this, his compositions and melodies a shining example of a true musician at work.

"Renewal", introduces us to the album in a positive, reflective way, a gentle melody with a flutey main theme and a light rhythm.  Next track up is "Elysium" and this is rather good, a luscious melody that weaves a romantic spell, one to get you and your loved one in the right mood, if you know what I mean !

The quality on offer is very high and as Anthony is a graduate of Humber College and York University in composition, one would expect so.  The rest of the album follows the same path with the odd Eastern influence added to help give the album's devotional atmosphere a helping hand.  I liked this release a lot, not the usual sort of music I would listen to much, but I can see myself returning to this album again and again.

Rebecka Sheffield - HMV Staff Member - Toronto, Canada (May 1999)

" You can locate this CD somewhere between Dan Gibson and Enigma in the vast category of New Age.  Yet, The Elysium Project is an entire new world.  From the moment that I placed the CD into my player, I began to sense that a journey was about to begin.  "Veneration" leaves us wanton for a drum and bass remix, while "East Meets West" creates the longing for a gypsy dance.  Baskey maintains the fine balance between relaxation and invigorating surprise.  With a mixture of intellect, creativity and incredible musical talent, he soothes our souls and keeps us dreaming.  Skeptical ?  Well, Baskey has managed to calm my Siamese kitten into complete obedience.  As she sits atop my computer, blinking wildly in contentment, I am about to push the play button for the fourth time tonight ... "

" This is a relaxing smooth mix of sound texture.  With floating melodies of world influences masterfully mixed with open electronic space, this album offers the listener a host of choices where they want to be.  With very short end times and smooth lighter starts, it's one of the easiest listening albums for the busy person, as the breaks are almost inperceptible.  The pieces are full and rich with "Vehicles of Light - The Landing" and "Discovery" taking youon a journey of the mind and spirit through the pathways of time and space.  This album should be every ambient music lovers standard for '99' ".

Angelica Dawn, Kansas City (May 1999)

"KASU has placed cuts 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 into rotation.
Beginning in 1999, the station is featuring more space, ambient and
electronic music in its locally produced programs, and the Elysium
Project is a great fit for the sound we're looking for. Thanks again
for allowing us to share your music!"

Marty Scarbrough - KASU FM - Jonesboro, Arkansas

"... favourite cuts are Tyrian, Veneration, East Meets West, and Devachan"

"Thanks for putting out such great music."

Roger Greer - KXCI - "Brainwaves" - Tucson, Arizona

"I just recently learned of Anthony Baskey's work and usually note
outstanding tracks when previewing a CD. The track East meets
West initially caught my attention only because I've heard that title
before. Many times just a bad form of electronics. This is where
Anthony Baskey's work if Far Different. As far different as Eastern
and Western cultures themselves."

"I encourage anyone to listen to this particular piece two, three, or
four times consecutively. You'll hear it anew each time. Anthony's
use of harmonic progression is so full of substance, and really pulls
you in to a wonderfully captivating aura of peace. I'm really glad to
have used it on my program."

Richard Mauro / host -- Sacred World Music

" Do you like original and contemplative music that swirls and curves inside
you ? 

Do you like to drift into a rainy day ? 

Do silhouettes take on a meaning that there are no words for? 

This is The Elysium Project. Go there Now."

Don Campau - March 1999

ANTHONY BASKEY
The Venus Project
Infinite Creations (2000)

Relative newcomer Anthony Baskey has delivered the sophomore follow-up to his highly-praised debut, The Elysium Project. Titled The Venus Project (another recording in Anthony's Harmony Through Conflict Series), the title is indicative of the music - lush, romantic, sometimes dramatic, and very often lovely. The music draws favorable comparisons to recent work from Jonn Serrie (such as Midsummer Century, Tingri, and Ixlandia), although Anthony's more ambient approach leaves almost all traces of Serrie's neo-jazz behind. Some songs bring more traditional space music comparisons to mind, as well (see below).

The album opens with the excellent "Nightflight I," a slow tempo cruiser with superb use of rhythmic elements among the Mark-Sloniker like keyboards and counterpointed by underlying synth washes. This is followed by "Venus" which, obviously, is overtly romantic. The song carries hints of both space music and new age music, with twinkling bell-like synths, synth strings, and flowing melody lines that whisper of sensuousness while also evoking a sense of deep beauty. Synth oboe is used judiciously to lend the song an air of grace.

"Three Wishes" is a more structured piece, employing opening wooden flute/pan pipe synths in an ethereal manner to balance out the Richard Bone-like bossa nova rhythms that come into play. Synth vibes and bell tones dance over an undercurrent of hushed synth choruses. Maybe the best way to describe this is new age
samba music, which may sound corny but in Anthony's hands it works remarkably well. The song delighted me with its sense of fun mixed with the ethereal side of things.

"Solo Flight" is much more ambient than the other cuts so far - lush washes of synths sweep over the landscape below and an occasional whoosh effect adds an element of classic space music to the mix. This song should definitely remind many of you of Serrie, Bowles, Telomere or other deep space pilots. "Whispers of Love" is soft and romantic, using a combination of harp, synth oboe, washes, and bell-like tones to create a neo-classical/new age lullaby-like song.

Some later cuts mine more serene territory similar to Liquid Mind ("Costa D'Azure") but as he did with his first album, Anthony always finds a way to put his indelible signature on each song. Once again he achieves this by subtly (and with great success) blending apparently disparate elements together seamlessly (e.g., in the
abovementioned "Costa D'Azure" he mixes those lush Liquid Mind-ish strings with a delicate Mediterranean flavor via a plucked balalaika, and later adds muted low tempo swish-cymbal rhythms as well).

Some fans of his previous CD may find the music on The Venus Project either too new agey or too "pretty," but given the theme of the recording (as evidenced by song titles like "Love Continuum") one would hardly expect much darkness on this album. Personally, I think this follow-up is excellent. Trademark touches abound
throughout the recording, but the new direction for Anthony (emphasizing lush and romantic melodies and a sense of beauty) marks him as an artist who doesn't want to repeat himself. Hear, hear!

The Venus Project shimmers romantically with delicate beauty and grace. While the some of the album's songs have more structure than most ambient recordings, there are enough varied elements that fans of ambient, space and new age music should all find a lot here to enjoy. The engineering on the disc is excellent and overall I think Anthony has shown he is going to be (if he is not already) a force to be reckoned with in this industry. As with his debut, I highly recommend The Venus Project as an example of diverse and very well-executed melodic electronic music. Strongly recommended, in addition, to those seeking romantic music that never stoops to schmaltz or syrup.

Posted 5/13/00

Bill Binkleman of WIND AND WIRE