...nightfall... (illegal1.xm)

Posted by TMA Placeholder Account on Mon 31st May 1999, rated 10 / 10.

If I didn't know better, I might say that this tune was lifted straight off of the airwaves of a smooth jazz radio station. It's that good. The piano is tracked masterfully, the bass is smooth and fitting, the interesting drumline beneath everything keeps out of the way and adds to the piece, instead of detracting, as it could so easily have done. The whole piece wavers in and out of conventional and unconventional chord structures, as all good jazz should, but it stays as smooth as a baby's bottom the whole length of the song. It is both daring and experimental, yet also pleasing to the ear and groovy. This is indeed professional, and it is perfection as good as it may come. Illegal Instruction, my hat is off to you for your production here. Not only is the music tremendous, the technical stylings of the piece are astounding as well. The samples are perfect for the piece, and they've been handled ingeniously. The drumbeat stays in the background where it belongs, coherent yet subdued. The background synth-strings are Panbrelloed wonderfully, but the drumkit stays stationary, yet not centered. I simply can't say enough in its praise, and I wish it could have been longer than its 2:44, but it ends where it needs to end. Any more, and it would lose some of its magic. But as it stands now, this song is just... perfect. This is not only one of the best jazz .mods I've ever heard, it's possibly the best .mod I've ever heard, ever... Heck, this song is close to being some of the best jazz I've ever heard, live or .mod! Pick this up. It's phenomenal. I am overwhelmed, and I'm as proud as I could possibly be to give out my first award of the perfect score of Ten to this magnificent and overly impressive piece of music.