I originally bought this album on CD in 1998 but it wasn't made available on vinyl until this version came out ten years ago. This pressing is OK, but like all Mike's albums that were repressed in 2014, it is rather quiet and reveals background noise when played at higher volumes.
Material from "Tubular Bells III" had been teased on the compilation "XXV" in 1997 and this out-take suggested the album would be more electronic than previous efforts. To some extent this change was to be expected as Mike was living in Ibiza at the time and was known to occasionality frequent the island's nightclubs.
Yet, when a single from the album was issued the following year it sounded nothing like the dance-floor beats we heard on "XXV". In fact, "Man In the Rain" was more akin to "Moonlight Shadow" and, whilst the song was undoubtedly catchy, it harked back to the sound Mike employed fifteen years before. Clearly this album was going to be eclectic and not conform to the template employed by the other two albums in the series. Yes, there are a number of tracks that draw on the themes from the original, but Mike has done this many times before ("Crises", "Wind Chimes", "Tubular World" etc.) and didn't find the need to include the parent album in the same canon. So if I had to guess I would say that the only reason for including this album in the "Tubular Bells" series was to boost sales.
The opening track "The Source of Secrets" is a different mix of the "Tubular Bells III" excerpt from the "XXV" compilation. This piece offers a variation on the piano theme from the original "Tubular Bells" and throws a four on the floor dance beat under it. Eventually things develop into a full-on "hands in the air" crescendo replete with "Insomnia" inspired pizzicato string riffs and TR-909 snares. Phew.
We change pace for "The Watchful Eye" which features a haunting and strangely beautiful motif that will be resurrected throughout the album. Elsewhere the Flamenco of "Serpent Dream" shows the influence of Ibiza extended beyond nightclubs and dance music. "The Inner Child" finishes the first side with a chilled out vibe to accompany a Cafe Del Mar sunset.
"Man In The Rain" opens the second side of the record but it sounds strangely incongruous plonked in the middle of the album. As I have said previously, there is no doubt this is a good song, but I just don't think it fits this album. One of my favourite pieces is "Top of the Morning" which has a strong melody played out on the piano and develops into the most marvellous piece that must rank amongst Mike's best work.
As the album progresses we hear beats on "Jewel in the Crown" that are reminiscent of those created by fellow Ibiza resident Curly MC and "Secrets" is yet another stab at reinventing the "Tubular Bells" piano riff in a dance style. The final piece on the album "Far Above The Clouds" is truly the zenith where the titicular bells are finally heard alongside the familiar bassline from the first album in the series. As Mike's searing guitar solo comes to and end we are left with nothing but the sound of bird song allowing us to reflect on the thrilling, if slightly broken journey we have just been on. 4/5
