Ion is a new solo venture by the established UK musician, David J. Hughes. 　　 　　Most people will know David as the founder member of T-Bass and the last man standing in the SkinMechanix collaboration. Both of these ventures typify the Hughes approach to making music. In other words, foot-on-the-floor, pedal-to-the-metal, full-on electronic power tracks with only an occasional nod towards slower, more romantic moods and feelings. 　　 　　Ion cuts off at a tangent and is, according to Hughes, an attempt to get back to basics, to shift the emphasis away from keyboard chops and screaming solos and towards a more symphonic and, dare one perhaps suggest, a more mature and maybe even a more relaxed state of mind. David is, after all, getting on a bit these days and needs to take it easy. 　　 　　Listen to the music of Ion and simply enjoy. Sequencer music doesn't get much better than this. 　　 　　Reviews / Awards 　　 　　# In December 2007, Ion's Future Forever was voted second in Scott Raymond's Top Ten Albums for 2007 on the Secret Music Programme. Secret Music is broadcast on radio station WKVR, which covers the Poughkeepsie area, NY. 　　 　　# In January 2008, Ion's Future Forever was voted one of "The Best Downloadable albums of 2007" over on the ElectroAmbient Space web site. 　　 　　 　　"Ever seen pictures of the ice hotels they build in Norway and Sweden every year? Well this sublimely wintery ambient album by David Hughes' side project, Ion, may just may be the perfect soundtrack for staying in one. Firmly rooted in the Berlin school, it's incredibly clean and crystalline and we love the modern utopias it conjures up with its frosty sequencing and big serene arcs of sound. Standout tracks include 'Future Forever' and 'The Silent Scream.'" 　　 　　Magnatune 　　 　　 　　 　　"Ion is the new solo project from David J. Hughes of T-Bass and Skin Mechanix. It is firmly rooted in the melodic Berlin school camp, without the rock riffs and power chords from other Hughes' projects. The simpler, quieter approach pays big dividends, allowing the cool synth compositions to set the mood. The title track wafts in serenely, evenly. It breathes for a while before light sequencing and beats come in. Eventually the main melodic theme arrives, soaring over the top of the rest, its impact made by the restrained approach that leads us there. Deftly handled, this is a lovely understated way to open. Even softer is 'Logoscape', a dreamy musical reverie that leads us into 'Minerva', a romance-tinged piece that somehow manages to evade outright sappiness. Think of Tangerine Dream's best soundtrack work from the 1980s and you get the idea. 'Evensong' is similar in tone and style, though with a brighter sequencer line to build on. This one develops particularly nicely, with the same sure-handedness that permeates the entire album. 'Farscape' is a trippy deep space journey. 'The Silent Scream' is a nifty hybrid of modern shuffling beats and retro sequencing in relaxed mode. 'Tangents' is pure Berlin school, with an atmospheric space music beginning and ending, and driving sequencers and rhythms in the middle. I particularly like the soft ethereal finish, which segues perfectly into the mellow closing track, 'Flying Over Blue Waters'. I highly recommend Future Forever ." 　　 　　Phil Derby/ Electroambient Space 　　 　　 　　 　　"Ion is David Hughes from both T Bass UK and Skin Mechanix. Even though this album does have an individual identity it should still be liked by fans of both those acts. 　　 　　We kick off with the title track. Soft, soothing, faintly melodic pads with just a hint of melancholy float in the air. A slow rhythm starts up along with a sequence which starts off relatively sedately but soon ups the pace providing a nice melody, morphing beautifully as it goes. Further melody comes in the form of a moody lead line. It reminded me a little of Edgar Froese's solo work. 　　 　　'Logoscape' is all ethereal, as windy drones mix with angelic wordless pads. Quite beautiful. 'Minerva' on the other hand uses a beautiful piano line conjuring up the best melody on the album so far, complimenting a percussive sequence extremely well. It reminded me a little of 'Optical Race'. 　　 　　The Tangerine Dream comparisons continue through onto a lot of the tracks as well (which is probably intentional given all the TD references in the track titles) including the next number 'Evensong'. A lovely melodic sequence bounces along giving us an energetic start. It just gets better and better as things become more syncopated - a real body mover. The mood changes with 'Farscape', as dark bubbly atmospherics create a rather alien soundscape. 'The Silent Scream' is different yet again as it is based around tabla type rhythms but melodically it's as good as 'Minerva'. 'Tangents' initially takes us back to moody realms but as a rapid sequence enters the heart rate quickens. 'Flying Over Blue Waters' is another which is very Tangerine Dream sounding and again the piano type melody is exquisite. It's a wonderful track, slow, thoughtful and full of beauty. 　　 　　Apparently this album is the first in the 'Dust to Dawn' trilogy so if you like it the journey is just beginning!" 　　 　　Dave Law, Synth Music Direct 　　 　　"In a word - 'Awesome!'" 　　 　　LCW, England 　　 　　 　　"Future Forever" is the first album in the Dawn to Dusk trilogy from Ion, an electronic music outfit signed to the recently re-established Thinking Metal label. 　　 　　The title track kicks off proceedings with a simple choral/synthesiser arrangement, which develops into a real foot tapping, sequencer-driven noodle-fest that reminded me much of Vangelis with all of the electronic trumpet and brass synth leads. The album then shifts and turns through a variety of moods and styles ranging from bright and cheerful to the somewhat downbeat and melancholic though it never wavers in its ability to fit into and enhance your own personal soundtrack. 　　 　　Standout tracks for me include Future Forever, with its strong melodies and foot-stomping rhythms and Flying Over Blue Waters, which is one of the most emotionally pure and downright honest pieces of music I've ever heard. 　　 　　In short, I loved this album from start to finish. Initially, I was expecting a half-baked rehash of tired and over-used Berlin School cliches but this album rises comfortably above the dross to create a mood and sense all of its own, and one that I kept going back to over and over again." 　　 　　FJML, Northern Spirit.