"......Wrapping itself around me like a soft, comforting blanket, this is one of the most relaxing, feel good albums I've heard for a long while. "First Light" by Kevin Kendle. The opening title track aptly describes the setting for the album which was inspired by early morning scenes of the English countryside. A low introductory chord holds the listener in the darkness just before a soft, bell like, phrase heralds that first faint touch of daylight breaking over the horizon. And as the music builds images of the sun warming an awakening landscape clearly come to mind.

The following track, Dawn Chorus, opens as a simple two chord progression played on a Fender Rhodes piano sound - a sound I love and which is featured on many of the tracks. As the track progresses an acoustic guitar picks out an occasional melody or phrase which mixes well with the early morning bird song recorded by Kevin himself. With the third track, Moonset, we are in to one of my favourites. The interplay of sampled flute, played by Kevin, and soprano saxophone, played by Andy Hamilton, on a gentle, uplifting melody makes this listener feel good each time he hears it - whoops, there go those goose-bumps again!

Magical pictures of fields and trees lightly dusted in white come to the fore on Silver Frost as more bell like tones ring, reminiscent of the drops of water formed by the ice, warmed by the morning sun, slowly melting away. Stillness is the first of two 'soundscapes' on the album. Sounds weave in and out of each other over a sustained chord, at that moment just before dawn when the world seems at it it's most quiet. Meanwhile the portamento effect used on the background chords of second soundscape, Cloudless Sky, has you falling and rising on a gentle breeze. Almost impercetibly the track grows from shimmering sound to short musical phrases with an acoustic guitarist quietly 'doodling' in the distance...
When I've been away for a few days there's always a rising sense of well-being as the local landmarks show me I'm close to the welcoming arms of home, and Journey's End captures that feeling. Again it is the combination of saxophone and flute (sampled, like the acoustic guitar, but played so well by Kevin that you're hard pushed to realise it's on keyboards) with a touching melody that works so well.

The Mooring watches the ripples on the river gliding by while a surprise awaits on Morning Dew. A repeated keyboard phrase lies behind oboe and saxophone solos when the unexpected ethereal sound of monks singing brings in to focus a picture of hooded figures walking through monastery grounds to early matins.
Awaken is a pleasant, refreshing arrangement of acoustic guitar, keyboards, oboe and flute which ends an album that has quickly become a favourite of both my wife and I. Produced with James Asher (of 'The Great Wheel' fame) at his London studio, the whole album is a well crafted work - even down to the atmospheric cover art by Glyn Matthews. This is definitely one for those looking for something to smooth a furrowed brow.

Disclaimer: I've nothing to do with Kevin or Eventide Music. These are just my own views as a lover of new age and contemporary music.
Regards, Neil Leacy ...."
Review Text © 1996 Neil Leacy