By Keith Walsh
In early January 2023, with the release of the single “Panopticom,” and with every subsequent new moon, Peter Gabriel began releasing tracks, including varying mixes, from his upcoming new album I/O. From January to the present, the savvy British singer/songwriter released 19 mixes of seven tracks so far.
The tracks find the musical chameleon – whose legacy encompasses progressive rock, worldbeat, chart-topping pop, and funk, and the perennial inclusion of electronic musical instruments – teaming up with some of his favorite collaborators. Tony Levin on bass, Manu Katché on drums, David Rhodes on guitars, and Brian Eno with his rhythm programming and electronics all feature throughout.
Gabriel has championed the use of synthesizers going back to his days as the frontman for Genesis in the 1960s and 1970s. It’s no surprise that these new mixes embrace electronic music in ways reflective of the growing use of virtual synthesizers and DAW based production.
Conceptually, vocally and instrumentally, Gabriel is in top form. Themes won’t be unexpected to dedicated fans, including a vision of a Utopian society built on perfect knowledge (Panopticon”), exposing the darker side of human nature (“Four Kinds Of Horses”), and wise views on aging and human destiny (the expansive “I/O” and the realistic “So Much.”)
Piano Mastery
In addition to the inclusion of the novel electronic sounds that Gabriel has built much of his reputation on, several tracks include the awesome funky grooves found on his albums going back to 1986’s So and its follow up, 1992’s Us. “Playing For Time (Dark-Side Mix)” released on March 7 is a majestic instant classic, a reflection of our shared destinies as residents of Earth. The tune displays Gabriel’s mastery of the acoustic piano while long time collaborator Tony Levin’s bass supports. “Four Kinds Of Horses (In-Side Mix)” released on April 6 has a sinister apocalyptic sound, almost disguising the beauty of the song. The track is a collaboration with Brian Eno and Richard Russell.
“Road To Joy (Bright-Side Mix) released on June 4, is a good example of that funky groove, while the latest single, “So Much (Dark-Side Mix”) is a solemn reflection on destiny faced later in life, again with Gabriel’s lovely acoustic piano work. The Soweto Gospel Choir enters midway through, and it’s like a powerful gut punch, a musically beautiful one.
Gabriel has said he was working on 17 new songs, as recently as 2021. With the multiplicity of mixes, and the passage of time almost certainly promising additional tracks, there’s a lot for fans to enjoy.
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