Bart Hawkins - Entering the Axis Mundi (2023) [Hi-Res]

Bart Hawkins’ newest album for Spotted Peccary Music, Entering the Axis Mundi, picks up where its predecessor Visions of Eden left off, continuing a sonic retelling of a creation myth. However, instead of the book of Genesis, this time Hawkins drew inspiration from the concept of axis mundi, meaning “cosmic axis”—the core of existence where time and space are nonlinear and all history convergent.

Hawkins found the perfect language of this concept in the modular synthesizer; its sounds are innately cyclical, yet in constant motion. He says, “The modular synth itself is an axis mundi, it pulls you in, where out of chaos comes clarity of focus, the center that all revolves around.” Tranquil opener “A Joyous Return” builds like a cresting wave as elongated chimes ripple around an anchoring modular synth pattern. The thrilling “To Ride a Pterodactyl” features some of Hawkins’ most innovative sound design yet. Here, he feeds the modular synth through a Moog Theremin to conjure the searing screeches of a prehistoric beast.

Throughout the nine tracks of Entering the Axis Mundi, Hawkins further establishes himself as a master of atmospheres extruded from the complex palette of the modular synthesizer. From the wistful adventure of “River Boat to Atlantis” to the galloping tension of “Race to Cosmos Redshift 7 Galaxy,” Bart Hawkins is at home in any world he weaves.

Tracklist:
1.01 - Bart Hawkins - A Joyous Return (8:00)
1.02 - Bart Hawkins - To Ride A Pterodactyl (10:20)
1.03 - Bart Hawkins - Race To Cosmos Redshift 7 Galaxy (7:24)
1.04 - Bart Hawkins - Parisa And Miriam (6:27)
1.05 - Bart Hawkins - An Owl's Dream Of Me (7:44)
1.06 - Bart Hawkins - Entering The Axis Mundi (7:14)
1.07 - Bart Hawkins - River Boat To Atlantis (8:17)
1.08 - Bart Hawkins - The Secret Of 33.3 (8:49)
1.09 - Bart Hawkins - Blessed Under Your Feet (8:10)