Another Ed Ball post today to keep the thread going. The World Wide Web doesn't provide much information (anymore) if you want to find out something about “the Dynamic Curve” of Sand. Sand were another side project from Edward Ball, this time together with Creation Records colleague Richard “Dick” Green, who was also involved in various The Times albums.
I don't think many people know this album, at least you never read about it and when Edward Ball is mentioned, Sand is never mentioned and no track on it ever appears on Ed Ball compilations. At least I don't know anything about it.
One review claimed that it was "the album Mike Oldfield has wanted to make for years."
Well, I can't say, but it is indeed a great, chill instrumental album. The album was released in 1991, Ed Ball was in his highly productive phase with several The Times, Love Corporation, Teenage Filmstars albums in a relatively short period of time. For me at the time it was simply unbelievable how many different genres he was active in. And certainly not every one of his songs was a hit. But under the influence of ecstasy he came up with a very high number of fantastic and convincing tracks. “The Dynamic Curve” has aged well and especially the opening track “Felatio” is 10 minutes of pure happiness and I always enjoy playing it, even after “Star 6 & 7 8 9“ by the Orb or similar chillers. I envy everyone who is still able to discover this album.
„Sand was a duo comprised of British songwriter Ed Ball and the co-owner of Creation Records, Richard Green. Ed Ball’s background with post-punk and neo-psychedelic rock bands like Television Personalities, ‘O’ Level, and Teenage Filmstars is felt in the album’s atmosphere. “Felatio” is an epic opener, beginning with strumming guitars and launching into gorgeous synth melodies and rolling percussion. The song progresses with a triumphant spirit and sounds like the accompaniment to flying over snowy mountains and fantasy landscapes. “This Thinking Feeling Moment” follows with a more somber mood, an arpeggiated guitar melody repeating throughout while synths and sound effects swirl in and out of the soundscape. “Consent” and “Absolution” are more laid back and sunny, resembling Harmonia and 1980s era Tangerine Dream. The album is highly diverse and serene, invoking a consistently unique atmosphere. The Dynamic Curve is a thought-provoking listening experience able to sound both retro and ahead of its time, even influencing one of the best metal albums of the century, The Mantle by Agalloch. Sand were a short-lived project, but they made something special in their brief tenure that sounds both adventurous and blissful.“
-Benjamin Kuettel-
You can hear the full album here:
https://www.discogs.com/master/334109-Sand-The-Dynamic-Curve
