Steve Jolliffe - Temmenu

Temmenu is apparently a star set at 28° in the shoulder of the constellation of Taurus. Babylonian astronomers named it this, the literal translation being "foundation stone", and it was regarded by the ancients as the central sun of the universe. It's even rumoured that Egyptian priests received communications from a race which travelled from Sirius and Temmenu. All fascinating stuff, and it's good to see that trouble has been taken to supplement the excellent sleeve graphics with some decent information. Musically the album consists of a single piece titled 'Voices'. The sleevenotes proclaim that the music has "the ability to create sympathetic vibrations designed to transfer your being to a separate reality" and they also go on to say that "in theory 35 octaves separate Earth time from solar time". Hmm. I could quote lots more, but I'd better say something about the music itself - and unfortunately that's where this particular star twinkles rather less brightly. 'Temmenu' doesn't even approach the form Steve showed on 'Zanzi'. Section after section of bland and very forgettable spacey pastiches are liberally sprinkled with esoteric flute, piano and sax work. Perhaps I'm missing the point somewhere, but this album did absolutely nothing for me. With so much competition battling for your hard earned dosh, I'd treat this one with caution.