RECORD POOL 
 
2004

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November 30, 2004

GERT EMMENS:
"WAVES OF DREAMS"
Groove Unlimited
This CD by Gert Emmens is an excellent work in electronic music at the purest cosmic style. In "Waves of Dreams" we find six compositions full of sensitivity and electronic romanticism. The composer proves his great imagination by creating a powerful music, with sequencer rhythms forming rather unusual tonal structures. His talent can be also appreciated as he creates complex rhythmic structures, that become perfectly fused with the melodies and the atmospheres. The melodies appear to grow little by little, in a continuous crescendo that reaches incredible heights. No doubt this CD will appeal to the fans of Gert's music as well as the lovers of Space Sequencer Music in general.
EDGAR KOGLER

http://www.groove.nl

MARKUS REUTER / IAN BODDY:
"PURE"
DiN
Markus Reuter and Ian Boddy have prepared an excellent album for us, wrapped up in soft sounds of synthesizers that invites us to reflection. "Pure" is a flight of imagination to the realms of Fantasy, which will no doubt please a wide audience. There are pieces near to Space Music, others with Symphonic touches, and several with Synth-Pop elements, even though all of them keep an innovative character near to the modern electronic trends. The melodies of the 11 tracks maintain a great conceptual uniformity and in them we will find all kinds of extremely attractive sonic textures.
EDGAR KOGLER

http://www.DiN.org.uk

BAS B. BROEKHUIS:
"THE ESCHER DRAWINGS"
Groove Unlimited
In this release, Broekhuis combines dreamy melodies of great strength, with floating environments, outlining an impressive sonic landscape of a mystic-cosmic character. "The Escher Drawings" is terrestrial electronic music, that seems to evoke the most spectacular physic natural phenomena of our world, but with an important romantic charge as if emphasizing the beauty and fragility of the Earth. The music turns out to be oniric, with ethereal sounds, cosmic textures and a careful musical sensitivity.
EDUARDO FONTANA

http://www.groove.nl

HARALD GROSSKOPF:
"YETI SOCIETY"
Groove Unlimited
The artistic maturity of Harald Grosskopf has allowed him to follow, within his style, multiple aspects of electronic music during the last 30 years. This is a daring release merging Space Music with Synth-Pop and other, more difficult to place, traits which contribute to endow this release with a great originality. As a general rule, the compositions possess rather strong rhythms, even if there are some passages of a more deliberate nature, which also turn out to be mysterious and hypnotic. "Yeti Society" is, no doubt, a work that cannot leave any listener unconcerned. With Grosskopf has collaborated Steve Baltes.
EDGAR KOGLER

http://www.groove.nl

CREATE:
"REFLECTIONS FROM THE INNER LIGHT"
Groove Unlimited
It always is pleasant to listen to well elaborated, varied sounds, giving the impression that the musician possesses an excellent mastery of his instruments. In "Reflections from the Inner Light", we find an artist who has a great skill in the musical technique as well as the necessary technology. By means of a very successfully achieved orchestra of virtual analogue synthesizers, Create weaves a collection of melodic pieces, fresh, lively. The style, bold and avantgarde as it is, is situated on the border between Space Music and the most strong areas of Synth-Pop.
EDUARDO FONTANA

http://www.groove.nl

ANDREAS AKWARA & BJORN LUTZ:
"AMBUSH"
Groove Unlimited
Andreas Akwara and Bjorn Lutz show a convincing way to make music for our days, adapted to the actual times. Throughout the 11 pieces we will have a chance to attend all kinds of passages, from those fragments that invite us to dance to those others that are far more introspective and whose melodies transpire an originality that cannot be denied. The style, electronic, agile and with a liberal use of sequencers, enters within the realm of Synth-Pop, although with traits of Space Music.
HECTOR JORDAN

http://www.groove.nl

FRANK VAN BOGAERT:
"CLOSER"
Groove Unlimited
Frank van Bogaert practise powerful and commercial arguments with a very good basis, both in the rhythmical and melodic aspects. The style of the compositions is for the most part near to Atmospheric Pop and to New Instrumental Music. Although several of the pieces have rather fast rhythms, others are more relaxed in nature. There also are some pieces of a clear romantic flair, such as "High above". "Melting" is a romantic-symphonic theme of an unusual majesty.
HECTOR JORDAN

http://www.groove.nl

DAVID PARSONS:
"VAJRA"
Groove Unlimited
The music by David Parsons in this compact disc possesses a style pretty near to the Ambient, with an important presence of romantic melodies and magical environments. The result, that incorporates elements from World Music and New Instrumental Music, is frankly interesting. David Parsons does not release too many albums, he thinks it over quite a lot before he produces something new for the general audience. Yet once we see (and listen to) his new album, we wish he gave us his splendid works more often.
VIRGINIA TAMAYO

http://www.groove.nl

FRANK KLARE WITH RON BOOTS:
"MONUMENTAL DREAMS"
Groove Unlimited
During the seven themes that constitute this release, we can hear traits from styles like Atmospheric Pop, Ambient and Space Music. There also are symphonic traits. Almost all the music is very dynamic, with powerful rhythms, although there also are slow parts. The melodies usually are warm, lively, in an atmosphere typical of a soundtrack for an adventure movie. There also are moments of a greater introspection, perhaps near to meditation, together with other instants of a amazing experimentation.
VIRGINIA TAMAYO

http://www.groove.nl

STEVE BALTES / HARALD GROSSKOPF / AXEL MANRICO HEILHECKER:
"FOUR TIMES THREE"
Groove Unlimited
Baltes, Grosskopf and Heilhecker with this album offer us a powerful sample of what they are capable of doing. This release has a style approaching the Synth-Pop trends, and more specifically, Trance music. There even are certain psychedelic touches in the passages nearest to Rock. The four long themes are basically upbeat, with cybernetic rhythms, percussion, and unreal environments.
PASCUAL JURADO

http://www.groove.nl

REMY:
"DIFFERENT SHADES OF DUST"
AKH Records / Groove Unlimited
Remy has a very personal style. His music joins elements from Synth-Pop, Sequencer Berlin School style of electronic music, Trance, Ambient, and some Techno touches. The three long pieces that integrate "Different shades of dust" are overflown with dynamism, a strong rhythm, and occasionally, also romanticism and passion. The whole album has a deep cybernetic air, not only due to the use of synthesizers, but also because of the style of the compositions itself.
PASCUAL JURADO

http://www.groove.nl

NIK TYNDALL & BERND SCHOLL:
"DREAMSPHERES"
Prudence / BSC Music
Nyk Tyndall and Bernd Scholl combine their respective artistic influences very well, thus achieving that their music possesses an unusual personality, very imaginative, capable of attracting the attention of the listener at once. "Dreamspheres", which can be labelled as New Instrumental Music, also has Ambient traits and some light touches of innovative Pop and World Music. The music is merry, bright, yet it never becomes too sugary or noisy. A song to peace and spiritual contentment.
PASCUAL JURADO

http://www.bscmusic.com

KARMACOSMIC:
"MUSIC FOR MANTRA & MEDITATION"
Prudence / BSC Music
This album is a collaboration between Rudiger Gleisberg, Matthias Grassow and Carsten Agthe, in which they explore the world of spiritual and meditative music. Skillfuly utilizing acoustic and electronic instrumental sounds, they get to meld elements from New Age with World Music traits and atmospheres typical of Ambient.This is a peaceful, delicate music, exempt from great symphonisms and fireworks that would contribute nothing to the conception of the work.
SARAH TOMBLIN

http://www.bscmusic.com

ASHRON:
"REIKI SHAMAN"
Prudence / BSC Music
Ashron expresses his mystic emotions in this album, whose title refers to the themes he has drawn his inspiration from. The work consists of 11 compositions, whose stylistic range fluctuates between World Music and New Instrumental Music. The music included in "Reiki Shaman" takes us from the East to the West all the same, in a blend of sonic colors of a difficult description. The most impressive piece in the album is, in my opinion, "Crystal Mountain", of a romantic air and a great beauty.
SARAH TOMBLIN

http://www.bscmusic.com

PHILLIP SCHROEDER:
"MUSIC FOR PIANO"
Capstone Records
This album gathers a series of compositions that flow among the Classical Music, the Minimalism and the New Music. The piano is the soloist instrument. Most of the pieces are soft and slow, almost hypnotic, with each sound vanishing into silence before the next one comes. Not being quite tragic, the work maintains a certain melancholy air, perhaps hinted at by the slow cadence of the pieces.
VALERIANO GUIOL

http://www.capstonerecords.org

LAURA SULLIVAN:
"MYSTICAL AMERICA"
Delvian records - The Gate Media Group
Excellent album this one by Laura Sullivan. "Mystical America" is a precious collection of melodic instrumental themes. The music has a great strength and an emotional beauty. All the pieces are romantic, in a mood more dramatic than merry, which prevents them from becoming too sweetish, and on the other hand allows for a greater impact. Laura, an expert pianist, is in charge of the main parts of the album, although she is accompanied by several musicians at the guitars, violin, keyboards and flutes, as well as other aspects of production.
HECTOR JORDAN

http://www.laura-sullivan.com

VIDNA OBMANA:
"LEGACY"
Relapse Records
Vidna Obmana has no doubt taken a step forward in his search for "something else". The 8 pieces that integrate this CD are each one a journey towards the unknown. All of them possess a decidedly mysterious, enigmatic character, like soundtracks for nocturnal walks in ancient deserted cities. More than concrete melodies in the traditional sense, there are chords and melodic atmospheres that come and go, thus contributing to weaving an unreal environment, as if taken from a hallucination or a dream. The rhythms also are a remarkable element, although they remain on a second plane.
ALEJANDRO HINOJOSA

http://www.vidnaobmana.be

VIDNA OBMANA:
"ANTHOLOGY 1984-2004"
Ikon / Projekt
Quite a number of the distinct aspects in Vidna Obmana's style appear in this compilation: from the darkest Ambient to the sunny vein nearing to Space Music, passing through Industrial and Experimental, all that dominated by the amazing alchemy of electronics. The successive sonic textures take us step by step into an unexplored terrain. Disquieting percussive rhythms sound wrapped into a very complex tapestry of surrealist melodic textures and unexpected electronic effects. There also are static passages, with a strong presence of ghostly atmospheres.
ALEJANDRO HINOJOSA

http://www.vidnaobmana.be

STEUART LIEBIG / MINIM:
"QUICKSILVER"
pfMENTUM
This work presents elements typical of Jazz, Classical, New Music, and Experimental Rock. There are slow themes and other lively ones. In the slow passages, the structure is fluid, not being limited to a few fixed chords. The instruments utilized are acoustic. There are some passages entirely devoted to experimentation with sounds.
VALERIANO GUIOL

http://www.pfmentum.com

HOP FROG'S FATWA:
"THE SILK ROAD"
URCKarm Recordings
"The Silk Road" is an amazing fusion of World Music with Industrial. The singular experiment has a daring and innovative result. This CD has an important effect of sonic shock in the listener, since it unites disparate elements to build some usually unclassifiable pieces. Each one of the nine compositions that integrate the album is a surprising sonic experience. On the whole, the work is like a collection of dreams or nightmares turned into music.
ALEJANDRO HINOJOSA

http://www.hop-frog.com

RICHARD BONE:
"THE REALITY TEMPLES"
Spiralight
The music by Richard Bone is characterized by a great diversity of styles, ideas and emotions. During the nine themes that constitute this release, we can hear traits from styles like Atmospheric Pop, New Instrumental Music, Ambient and World Music. The personal style of the artist offers us a sonic landscape that evokes journeys and adventures. Although there are some melancholy parts, the general structure of the album displays an energy that, not quite becoming euphoria, makes the music very dynamic.
MARCELLA CIRIGNOLA

http://www.spiralight.com

Sampler "EKLECTRA"
Elusive Recordings
This is a 79-minute sampler which includes 20 pieces from different artists. The styles vary between Alternative Pop and Techno, besides some other trends. Although the styles of the different compositions are quite varied, this compilation tends towards a rhythmic style. The rhythmic structure of the music tends to be based on the percussion typical of pop as a general rule, as well as on sequencers. There are some passages entirely devoted to experimentation with sounds.
DEREK DOARN

http://www.elusiverecordings.com

JIMMY BEHAN:
"DAYS ARE WHAT WE LIVE IN"
Elusive Recordings
Jimmy Behan shows in this CD a wide range of stylistic directions as well as a good dose of imagination. The melodies flow between Atmospheric Pop and New Instrumental Music. Part of the music has traits typical of Rock ballads. There also are symphonic traits. The rhythmic structure of the music tends to be based on the percussion typical of Pop as a general rule, as well as on sequencers. These latter ones contribute some traits of Synth-Pop to the music, although the general outline here described is the predominant one.
DEREK DOARN

http://www.elusiverecordings.com

THE RICHARD LEO JOHNSON TRIO:
"POETRY OF APPLIANCE"
Cuneiform Records
"Poetry of Appliance", which has eight compositions, is New Instrumental Music whose style ranges between Classical and Pop-Rock. Some Jazz traits are also perceived, as well as some Folk touches. There are slow pieces and other lively ones. Many of them are of a melodic nature, with a certain romantic air. Guitars, violin and theremin have a very important protagonism throughout the entire album: thus are the warm melodies developed one by one, in such a way that they succeed in attracting our attention as we listen to them.
EDUARDO FONTANA

http://www.cuneiformrecords.com/

BJORN LYNNE:
"SOOTHE"
Shockwave-sound.com / Lynne Publishing Ltd.
In these eight themes of atmospheric Ambient Music, Bjorn Lynne takes the audience through a musical voyage along the heavenly shores. All the pieces are a clear sample of the talent of the artist. "Lucid Dreams" has an incomparable magic. "Sun Willow" is most remarkable because of its great strength. "The True You" has a very special emotional warmth. The music is slow, yet not static, and has a certain rhythmic structure. With respect to the instruments used, the synthesizers have quite a leading role. Spontaneity and sensibility would perhaps be the most adequate words to refer to this work.
PASCUAL JURADO

http://www.lynnemusic.com

BJORN LYNNE:
"SOOTHE" (DVD version, created in Dolby Digital Surround 5.1)
Shockwave-sound.com / Lynne Publishing Ltd.
This DVD version of "Soothe" plays like a CD (in any standard DVD player connected to a Dolby Digital capable sound system) but uses DVD technology and 5.1 Dolby Digital surround to intensify the listening experience. This version of "Soothe" was not "up-mixed" from stereo music, but originally created in surround. By using this audio system, the music "fills the room". This work by Bjorn Lynne is a beautiful space odyssey based on the use of synthesizers, ideal to let imagination soar through unearthly worlds. The cosmic style present in the album is melodic and symphonic, often with spectacular orchestrations with synthesizers and a certain romantic character though it doesn't fall into an excessive sweetness. If the audience pays an adequate attention, don't wonder if you feel the entire starry universe open up before your eyes.
VIRGINIA TAMAYO

http://www.lynnemusic.com

MILAGRO ACUSTICO:
"RUBAIYYAT OF OMAR KHAYYAM"
Hearts of Space / Valley Entertainment
"Rubaiyyat of Omar Khayyam" is an album very much in the World Music wave, yet also near to Melodic Pop, with a series of themes, like "Viristi u Munnu" or "Yad Dasht", which will appeal to a large audience.
MARCELLA CIRIGNOLA

http://www.milagroacustico.com

AARON ACOSTA:
"FREQUENCY, AMPLITUDE AND TIME"
Aaron Acosta in this album makes an authentic work of fusion of different styles. In these 13 pieces we can find his multiple roots. The music, which is electronic, has the typical characteristics of tendencies like Ambient, Techno, and Industrial. Besides, it has certain Experimental touches, and sometimes some of World Music.
VICENTE GISPERT

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0001FZCNO/thesciencebookbo

BRUNO SANFILIPPO & MAX CORBACHO:
"INDALO"
AD21 Music
"Indalo" is a good example of Deep Ambient. This album takes us to the immense quiet of wide, virgin spaces. The structure of the music consists of difused melodies that come and go, dense, atmospheric environments that surround these melodies, and occasional sound effects, that in some passages are an important part of the ambiance.
VICENTE GISPERT

http://www.bruno-sanfilippo.com

http://www.maxcorbacho.com

SECRET BEACH:
"SOLOS"
In "Solos" we find the sounds of the ocean("Between the Dark and the Daylight"), and those of the instruments utilized by the artist ("In another time", "Secret Beach" and "Moonbeams & Daydreams"). The music is a fusion of New Instrumental Music, with melodic Pop, and elements of Folk. The main instrument is the guitar.
DEREK DOARN

http://www.secret-beach.com

SECRET BEACH:
"SECRET BEACH"
In this CD-single, the first work by Secret Beach, the artist presents three short pieces, lasting a total amount of 14 minutes, which show his good style within the Melodic Pop with Folk touches.
DEREK DOARN

http://www.secret-beach.com


  





September 27, 2004

"PURE PLEASURE 3-D" (Soundtrack on CD)
Look & Listen Productions
This CD contains the soundtrack of the video album "Pure Pleasure 3-D", a wonderful DVD that combines pieces from different composers, with 3-D images from nature. With a clear dominance of New Instrumental Music, the soundtrack presents a careful selection of compositions by Vlad Kuryluk, Kenny Salmon, F. Rahier, Sonny Fazio, Daril S, Jamie Harrington, Bruce Maginnis, Michael Howle, and others. The music videos included are: "Return to Portofino", "Waterfalls", "River Reflections", "Surf at Sunset", "Cozy Fire", "Train to Geneva", "Tivoli Fountains", "Glowing Creek", "Steaming Pools", "Jellyfish Ballet", "Red Rocks of Utah", "Snow Flight", "Yellowstone Rapids", "Fish Circle", "Pompei Saturday Night". This CD is produced by Thomas Blakeslee, a very well known researcher and writer. In 1980 he wrote a famous book on the human mind called "The Right Brain". Other of his books are "Beyond the Conscious Mind: Unlocking the Secrets of the Self" and "The Attitude Factor: Extend Your Life by Changing the Way You Think".
VIRGINIA TAMAYO

http://www.attitudefactor.com

MBANDI:
"HARBOR NIGHTS"
MBandi Music
Mbandi is a clear instance of an artist whose great talent is opening him a path in the music world despite all the obstacles generated by the commercial dictates all composers have to put up with. Born in
Cameroon and settled in the United States since 1994, his music can be labelled within New Instrumental Music. By masterfully combining Classical influences with elements taken from the most melodic trend of Pop, the artist shapes in "Harbor Nights" a precious collection of pieces, brimming with strength and feelings.
VIRGINIA TAMAYO

http://www.mbandimusic.com

NEWFAIR FLIK:
"SITUATIONS"
Joe Di Vita and Dan Simone, the members of the duo Newfair Flik, tend bridges among various trends of avant-garde Pop, incorporating some brush-strokes of Ambient, Psychedelic Rock and alternative Jazz to their music. They create their musical ideas with firm traits, taking from each musical trend those elements that best adapt to their style. The result will be liked by a wide sector of the audience.
VIRGINIA TAMAYO

http://www.newfairflik.com

GUILL & JEM:
"TWO SUNS"
Astral
In this double CD, Guill & Jem weave a collection of pieces that are remarkable in their liveliness, both in the music and in the lyrics. Brimming with melodies of a great warmth, the themes of the album are steps of a stairway descending into the depths of the former worlds of both artists. With the stylistic tonalities typical of Symphonic Rock, yet also incorporating some of the identity traits of Rock Ballad and Ambient, "Two Suns" is a work that will appeal to the followers of the most ethereal side of Symphonic Rock.
ALEJANDRO HINOJOSA

http://www.astralweb.info

GUILLERMO CAZENAVE:
"VIVO VIEN"
Astral
"Vivo Vien" is a compilation of unreleased pieces stemming from live performances that Cazenave gave in the United States, France, Mexico and Spain between 1986 and 1996. The various aspects in the style of this great artist are well represented in the selection. We have this majestic, epic side, which makes us imagine colossal deeds, situations where life and death are one step from each other. We also find the intimist guitar player, whose ballads take us to the most romantic side of Symphonic Rock. Not lacking is the space ways, where we listen to the alchemist of synthesizers sculpting crystal cities among the stars, opening windows to faraway worlds, driving our imagination towards places where no one has gone before. In conclusion, a high quality work which once again shows the masterful skills of Cazenave.
JORGE MUNNSHE

http://www.guillermocazenave.com

VOLT:
"STAR COMPASS"
Groove
Without allowing themselves to get influenced by the conventionalities associated to Chill-out, the duo Volt creates a series of pieces ideal to let imagination fly freely, yet without falling into an arid minimalism, nor do they become careless with the melodic patterns. "Star Compass" is Space Music that re-creates the fascination on an interstellar journey. Melodies ranging from epic to tomanticism, wondrous orchestrations, unearthly ambiences, and powerful sequencer rhythmsare some of the main traits in this wonderful album.
EDGAR KOGLER

http://www.groove.nl

HARALD GROSSKOPF:
"OCEANHEART"
Groove
A re-release of a truly avant-garde album, which, as so many works by Harald Grosskopf, opened new pathways and fashions in the 1980s. Fresh melodies, dynamic rgythms, and warm emotions, constitute the main traits of "Oceanheart". The dominating style flows near to Synth-Pop, although some traits of Space Music, Techno and New Instrumental Music can also be appreciated, all that under the personal focus of this pioneer of musical avant-garde. Also noteworthy are the slow passages, often of a luminous, romantic Ambient. Recorded at the Graefstudio in Berlín, and mixed at the personal studio of Christopher Franke, this re-release has been re-mastered by Ron Boots.
EDGAR KOGLER

http://www.groove.nl

CAZENAVE & FRIENDS:
"DUPLEX"
Astral
An interesting album of collaborations between Guillermo Cazenave and various musicians. Each theme gathers a collaboration of Cazenave with someone different. The artists and bands playing with him in this CD are: Quique Berro, Steven Halpern, Juan Puñet, Arden Wilken, Andrés Gil, Anthony Phillips, Moisés Abad, Amarok, Zeus Orth, Litto Nebbia, Miguel Abuelo, lama Wangchen, Ronald Lloyd, Jeremy. The variety of styles is remarkable, yet in all the instances the magic of the moment can be appreciated, as well as the artistic empathy between each musician and Cazenave, and of course the stylistic presence of the latter, in some of his many aspects.
HECTOR JORDAN

http://www.astralweb.info/

JEREMY:
"STILL WATERS"
Jam Records
By merging Classical trends with others nearer to Folk, Rock Ballad and New Instrumental Music, Jeremy achieves the creation of a beautiful collection of duos, which are remarkable in their great expresiveness, and where the guitar is the only instrument. Jeremy proves his excellente sensitivity with the guitar throughout the entire album. The music, mostly in a romantic key, also has a good making in its production.
HECTOR JORDAN

http://www.jamrecordings.com

GANDALF:
"COLORS OF A NEW DAWN"
Real Music
Gandalf gives us a new gift of a magnificent record of New Instrumental Music. His fans will find here many of the ingredients that characterize this musician. The ten pieces that integrate "Colors of a new dawn" are very melodic, with romantic airs and crystaline environments. The artist builds soundscapes of a great beauty, and some even turn out to be highly mysterious. The result cannot be more convincing: magical atmospheres, plenty of imagination, and magnificient melodies.
PASCUAL JURADO

http://www.realmusic.com

BERND SCHOLL:
"CIRCLE OF TREES, A CELTIC VOYAGE"
Prudence / BSC Music
"Circle of Trees, a Celtic Voyage" is an imaginative combination of elements typical of Celtic Music and others of an Ambient character sometimes near to the New Instrumental Music, whose result is a pleasant colection of warm pieces with a romantic, melodic air. This is a magnificient work, where the artist proves that there are no stylistic barriers for creativity, and where he contributes his musical talent to achieve a fresh, emotive sonic journey.
HECTOR JORDAN

http://www.bscmusic.com

ZINKL:
"THE TEMPTATIONS OF ST. ANTHONY"
Prudence / BSC Music
The music contained in this album by Zinkl has a very personal, innovative style. Some of the pieces possess a certain Ambient character, others approach Synth-Pop, but no known label could be applied to it. This is a certainly original product, which drinks from many different sources. The rhythms are usually based on the drums, though in some cases the sequencers play a leading role. The melodies incorporate elements of New Instrumental Music, as well as Classical and Neoclassical traits.
ALEJANDRO HINOJOSA

http://www.bscmusic.com

ALTHEA W:
"CRYSTAL SILENCE"
Prudence / BSC Music
"Crystal Silence" is an attractive work, mainly because of the amount of concepts that Althea W includes in his sonic and musical palette. This album could be defined as "World Atmospheric Pop" or "city folk music". Also there are passages or themes that get near to Jazz. The rhythmic part is Pop in style, whereas the melodies fuse romanticism with slight Ethnic touches. The synthesizers provide the album with a sensual atmosphere ideal to wrap the melodies in.
MARCELLA CIRIGNOLA

http://www.bscmusic.com

JOE WEINECK:
"FROM JUNGLE TO GALAXY"
Prudence / BSC Music
"From jungle to galaxy" is an album charged with good sonic vibrations, powerful in some moments, calm and simple in others, yet always full of shades that cannot leave anyone indifferent. The 15 pieces included in this release have a melodic Jazz-Pop style with some World Music touches. The latter are basically in the rhythms. The melodies present a certain romantic character, with slight symphonic and Ambient traits. Almost all the themes are rhythmic, even though not quite fast, and give the leading role to the melodies.
MARCELLA CIRIGNOLA

http://www.bscmusic.com

CATHERINE BRASLAVSKY ENSEMBLE:
"CHARTRES: THE PATH OF THE SOUL"
Listening to this album is travelling throughout musical tales whose landscapes are set in the Medieval Europe. 19 themes of a varied make where solo voices or choirs, accompanied by ancient instruments, tend to predominate. Part of the pieces that shape the album are traditional songs, whereas the rest are composed mostly by Catherine Braslavsky. She is a singer who has specialized in Gregorian Chant and in the music of Hildegard of Bingen. Catherine's warm voice is the high point of a work that will awake the enthusiasm of the followers of the best Ancient European Music.
EDUARDO FONTANA

http://www.naturalchant.com

JENNIFER CUTTING'S OCEAN ORCHESTRA:
"OCEAN: SONGS FOR THE NIGHT SEA JOURNEY"
SunSign records
Like its title suggests, this album gathers a series of beautiful compositions inspired on the sea, and that take us into the mysteries of uncountable, fantastic legends. "Ocean" is an album very much in the Celtic wave, yet also near to Folk and Rock, with a series of themes, like "Forgiveness" or "Call of the Siren", which will appeal to a large audience. Part of the songs that are included in this album, are traditional or Classical themes, whereas the rest are composed mostly by Jennifer Cutting.
HECTOR JORDAN

http://www.jennifercutting.com

RENE:
"SOULMATES"
Polyphony Music
In this album, pianist Rene combines his Classical background with his side within the New Instrumental Music. The result is a collection of very pleasant melodic pieces. Part of the themes are composed by him, whereas the rest are versions of famous pieces from different composers (Andrew Lloyd Weber, Chopin, Camille Saint Saens, Debussy, Eric Satie, John Barry), performed with the personal style of Rene's that contributes a much romantic, warm dimension. In "Soulmates", the piano has a basic role, always being well cushioned by other instruments.
SARAH TOMBLIN

http://www.renemusiconline.com

LIQUID MIND:
"LIQUID MIND VII: REFLECTION"
Real Music
Using synthesizers to create a heavenly, magical world, Liquid Mind performs six pieces of a soft, romantic, magic, and deliberate style, whose structure quite reminds the listener of that of Classical Music. The music turns out to be dreamy, even oniric, with ethereal sounds, cosmic textures and a careful musical sensitivity that make of this album an ideal vehicle for relaxation and meditation. The cosmic style present in the album is melodic and symphonic, often with spectacular orchestrations.
EDGAR KOGLER

http://www.realmusic.com

ZINGAIA:
"SOLES ON EARTH"
Prudence / BSC Music / Sequoia Records
This work by Zingaia deserves special mention, as its creative quality is most noteworthy. Most of the ten pieces included in "Soles on Earth" range between Atmospheric Pop and World Music. There also are symphonic traits. Although several of the pieces have rather fast rhythms, others are more relaxed in nature. The melodies are warm, sometimes cheerful and in other instances somewhat melancholy. The percussion has an important role.
MARCELLA CIRIGNOLA

http://www.bscmusic.com

GARY STADLER & WENDY RULE:
"DEEP WITHIN A FAERIE FOREST"
Prudence / BSC Music / Sequoia Records
Of an impeccable make, this is a release that will surely be liked by a wide range of listeners. A pleasant, melodic and very orchestral music, where the keyboards and the fine arrangements have a fundamental presence. Beautiful melodies, perfectly intertwined, both with respect to the music and the lyrics, follow one another without ups and downs. And, the ethereal vocals provided by Wendy Rule, that contribute in a remarkable way to make of this album a joyful musical journey.
SARAH TOMBLIN

http://www.bscmusic.com

CALLISTO:
"SIGNAL TO THE STARS"
AD Music
The style of this work by Callisto is within Synth-Pop, although it also has Ambient traits represented by the most electronic atmospheres. There are some passages near to Psychedelic Rock and others of a symphonic character, the melody being always the protagonist. The melodies, with a certain romantic, symphonic air, reveal the talent of the two composers that integrate this duet (David Wright and Dave Massey) Most of the pieces possess rhythms that, not quite coming to be too fast, provide this album with a dynamic character. "Signal to the Stars" is no doubt a fascinating album, accompanied by a magnificient cover.
PASCUAL JURADO

http://www.admusiconline.com

MICHEL PEPE:
"PRESENCE DE L'ANGE"
Michel Pepe Productions
Michel Pepe's music in "Presence de l'Ange" combines Ambient and Celtic elements, in a style typical of the New Instrumental Music. The synthesizers provide the album with a magical atmosphere ideal to wrap the melodies in. Most noteworthy are the romantic melodies, the ethereal, dreamy atmospheres, and the crystalline voices of Stephanie Fortin (in "Monts Eternels" and Le Calice des Merveilles") and Katheryne O'Brady (in "Un Parfum d'Ivresse")
HECTOR JORDAN

http://www.michelpepe.com

MICHEL PEPE:
"DIVINE OASIS"
Michel Pepe Productions
Michel Pepe delights all the lovers of sensitive, melodic and romantic music. In this album, he offers us a wide range of themes, pleasant to listen to, and even most enjoyable indeed. "Divine Oasis" is a work within the frame of New Age and Ambient Music, full of poetry and beauty, which leads the listener to a world of wondrous soundscapes by means of the masterful use of synthesizers, flute whistles, guitars and vocals. One of the most emotional, best achieved compositions is "Infinitude".
VIRGINIA TAMAYO

http://www.michelpepe.com

MICHEL PEPE:
"LA SOURCE D'EMERAUDE"
Michel Pepe Productions
"La source d'Emeraude" is an album that transpires sensitivity from all its pores. With his usual style, romantic and melodic, Michel Pepe has composed for this album seven beautiful themes, which range from the most Classical side in his style, and the most mystic or cosmic side. This work contains true musical jewels. It would be unfair to point out at any given one of his compositions: just enjoy each one of them.
HECTOR JORDAN

http://www.michelpepe.com

MAYA & SAGE:
"SPIRIT OF LOVE"
Spirit Singer Productions
Maya & Sage in "Spirit of Love" make an authentic work of fusion of different styles. The style of the music can be more or less placed within melodic soft Pop, with some elements of Rock ballad, World Music, Country, Folk, Celtic and Ambient. If to Maya's beautiful voice we join a handful of sweet, warm melodies, we will get as a result this exquisite album.
ALEJANDRO HINOJOSA

http://www.mayasage.com

THE JEFF KAISER OCKODEKTET:
"13 THEMES FOR A TRISKAIDEKAPHOBIC"
pfMENTUM
With "13 Themes for a Triskaidekaphobic" we certainly don't have a conventional musical project. The music is of an experimental character, with some classicist passages, others within the Jazz wave, some entering World Music, and the presence of elements typical of New Music and other styles. The work is mostly based on wind instruments.
VALERIANO GUIOL

http://www.pfmentum.com

THE JEFF KAISER OCKODEKTET: "THE ALCHEMICAL MASS" /
THE KAISER & DIAZ-INFANTE SEXTET: "SUITE SOLUTIO"
pfMENTUM
This CD contains two interesting experimental works: The Alchemical Mass" and "Suite Solutio". Most of the pieces can be labelled within the New Music, although they also have Jazz and Psychedelic characteristics. Some of the pieces have an Industrial style, others are quite minimalist. The themes are interpreted with a great number of acoustic instruments.
VALERIANO GUIOL

http://www.pfmentum.com

ARIA:
"ARIA 3: METAMORPHOSIS"
Koch Records
This album is a series of versions of Opera pieces from different Classical composers, arranged by Paul Schwartz. Wisely combining the Classical roots of his musical career, with a general focus approaching Pop, Schwartz weaves a collection of fresh, lively pieces. Most of the the music has an agile rhythm, yet there also are slow passages, including the theme "Lascia" and others. Rebecca Luker's warm voice is the high point of a work that will satisfy both the lovers of melodic Pop and those of Opera.
VALERIANO GUIOL

http://www.aria-music.net

ARTRIDGE:
"FINISHED SOUNDTRACKS FOR UNSHOT FILMS"
Interlink
"Finished Soundtracks for Unshot Films" by Artridge, which has eight compositions, is electronic music whose style ranges between Industrial and Neoclassical. Some Ambient traits are also perceived, as well as some experimental touches. Artridge show in this CD a good dose of imagination.
ALEJANDRO HINOJOSA

http://www.artridge.org


  
 


August 15, 2004

CONRAD SCHNITZLER:
"CONTAKT"
Margen Records
With Conrad Schnitzler one must always expect the unexpected. His sonic adventures will never cease to amaze us. Each one of the twelve compositions that integrate "Contakt" is a shocking sonic experience. The style of the release flows along different avantgarde aspects of Techno, Industrial, Ambient, Trance and Space Sequencer Music. Using hard, impressive electronic sounds, the artist take us into an unexplored terrain, displaying his imagination. The result is a journey through hypnotic sonic worlds, that appear to have been taken out of surrealist dreams. Another important aspect that can be appreciated in his music is the great experience he has in the musical arena and the control of the possibilities that an electronic equipment allows for. In this occasion, Schnitzler counts with Dom F. Scab's masterization.
EDGAR KOGLER

http://www.margenmusic.com

MICHEL HUYGEN & FERNANDO JIMENEZ DEL OSO:
"ASTRALIA"
Neuronium Records
Michel Huygen (Neuronium) and the researcher and publisher of enigmatic themes Fernando Jiménez del Oso have united their artistic efforts in this unusual album. Huygen has composed the music, whereas doctor Jiménez del Oso has written some texts he recites with his suggestive, mysterious voice, in some passages of the release. Both in the musical and in the literary aspects, the theme that has inspired the release is the astral voyage beyond the borders that separate the earthly from the cosmic, life from death. It is presented as a sonic adventure, between the majestic and the enigmatic. Jiménez del Oso describes a series of paranormal experiences, his voice being distorted by means of atypical sonic effects. "Astralia" also has the peculiarity of showing the darkest, most disturbing musical aspects in Huygen. Although he does not completely abandon the line of his last albums, much of the music is icy, ghostly, radically electronic. There is a passage of violent percussion that appears to re-create the very same dance of death. This re-release of "Astralia" has been made with a 32-bit digital remasterization.
JORGE MUNNSHE

http://www.neuronium.info

MICHEL HUYGEN:
"IN SEARCH OF MYSTERY"
Neuronium Records
The soundtrack of the TV series "In Search of Mystery" ("En busca del misterio"), composed by Huygen, is released in this CD that includes a total of 14 pieces. Michel Huygen is one of the most sophisticated flagmen of the electronic music currently being created. In this album, he delights his followers once again, as well as all the lovers of melodic Space Music. This is an evocative release where the melody, wrapped up in floating textures, goes through a universe of legends, magic and mystery. Synthesizers displaying timeless sounds shape an electronic cocktail that looks backwards, back to the ancient past. The music flows in a consistent, uninterrupted stream of cosmic soundscapes, communicating a wide range of feelings and emotions. Although the songs have a melodic make of a very diverse nature, it maintains a vital coherence that leads the listener to think of wide, pure, natural spaces. No doubt, this is an impressive album, highly reccommended to those who seek something more on the line of current Space Music. 
JORGE MUNNSHE

http://www.neuronium.info

CONSTANCE DEMBY:
"LIVE IN TOKYO"
Neuronium Records
This CD was recorded live during a tour in Japan in 1992. The new digital remastering at 32-bit has been done by Michel Huygen at Neuronium Studio. "Live in Tokyo" is a magnificient opportunity to witness the deep sensibility that this artist has when performing live. This album takes the listener to an intense space voyage throughout the universe, evoking starscapes of a mysterious beauty. With majestic orchestrations, of a great warmth, ethereal melodies are being carefully woven. All the compositions have a powerful strength that impresses the listener from the first moment. As in her previous works, Constance not only shows her talent as a composer but also her mastery in arrangements and performance. An intense creative task can be appreciated throughout the entire album.
PASCUAL JURADO

http://www.neuronium.info

GUILLERMO CAZENAVE:
"AQUI"
Astral
Guillermo Cazenave creates an electronic music full of esoteric and meditative elements, but you can also find many external influences. Symphonic rock, Pop and even space music can be found in this beautiful album. His surrounding melodies and sumptuous orchestrations will surely invite you to let imagination run free. Some of the ten tracks include the collaboration of such artists as Layla Bell (piano) and Ronald Lloyd (oboe). This CD is a re-release, with new themes and remixes.
MANUEL MONTES

http://www.guillermocazenave.com

PSICODREAMICS:
"AZHDARK PASSION"
Margen Records
Psicodreamics offers in this album a collection of romantic melodic compositions that confirm it in his position as a highly talented composer. The artist offers us his mastery at creating a work full of beauty and mystery, with themes that in some occasions tend to be of a melodic romanticism, while in other instances they have an enigmatic, or even a dark air. A general trait of the album is the fact that the music happens to be very intense, vital, as if reflecting strong emotions. All the themes have been composed by Psicodreamics, except for "The Garden of Strange Beings" (Psicodreamics & Alidan) and "Morning Light" (Psicodreamics & Priscilla Hernandez) The ethereal vocals provided by Priscilla Hernandez in "Morning Light" contribute in a remarkable way to make of this piece a true delight for the ears. The grandiosity of the music and its symphonism make of the listening of "Azhdark Passion" a complete experience. Psicodreamics has released such an extraordinary album that it cannot but awake enormous expectations on what the musician will be capable of doing in the future. No doubt, this album is highly reccommended to those who seek something more on the line of current New Instrumental Music. 
HECTOR JORDAN

http://www.margenmusic.com

ALIDAN:
"NEBULAE"
Margen Records
"Nebulae" is an impressive symphony of mysterious melodies and magical atmospheres, where the less abstract elements of Space Music merge with those more ethereal ones from New Instrumental Music. The music is bright, full of energy. Alidan is one of those artists that know how to take us into musical landscapes full of melodic harmony. In all, these are ten themes that reveal the artistic maturity of the composer, his liberal use of synthesizers, as well as his wide musical vision. Ten themes aimed at making the listener dream. 
PASCUAL JURADO

http://www.margenmusic.com

UNIVERS ZERO:
"IMPLOSION"
Cuneiform Records
The music by Univers Zero is an imaginative combination of elements typical of Classical Music and others of an avantgarde character sometimes near to symphonic rock and Jazz, whose result is an imaginative colection of  pieces with a sinister air. The instrumentation and the sonic effects maintain a disquieting tone throughtout the album, contributing a series of undescribable sensations for the listener. An album that no doubt deserves an attentive listening. 
ALEJANDRO HINOJOSA

http://www.cuneiformrecords.com

MEHDI:
"INSTRUMENTAL HEAVEN 7"
Soothing Music
Excellent album this one by Mehdi. The ten compositions in it included have a great strength and an emotional beauty. The music is, on the whole, melodic, soft, and with clear romantic traits. Sometimes it becomes festive, and at other times melancholy. The pieces are slow, though not static, with percussive rhythms typical of Pop. The global style can be labelled within New Instrumental Music. 
VIRGINIA TAMAYO

http://www.soothingmusic.com

ODRACIR LAVID:
"THE TEMPLE OF DREAMS"
Neuronium Records
"The Temple of Dreams" is an album with remarkable and varied stylistic textures that mix the Eastern magic with the immensity of the cosmos., or the meditative airs with electronic experimentation. There are themes that sound mysterious, like for instance the piece after which the CD is named. Others, like "The Autumn of my years", are romantic ones. Also there are some traits from World Music and other varied elements that contribute to enrich these pieces. The use of synthesizers enhances the exotic atmospheres that appear in some of the compositions, and is likewise useful as a vehicle for innovative ideas. 
PASCUAL JURADO

http://www.neuronium.info

COOL WIND:
"SOUND EXPLORATION"
Neuronium Records
Cool Wind skillfuly utilizes elements from Atmospheric Pop and New Instrumental Music to combine them into an interesting result that has little to do with orthodox Pop and instrumental music. His music, eminently electronic, makes some incursions into World Music and Ambient. Each one of the themes, although continuing with the general format, gets near one of the styles mentioned before. For example, "Ley Landscape" and "Dolphin's cave" are the most magical, ethereal pieces, owing a good deal of their character to the synthesizers. 
HECTOR JORDAN

http://www.neuronium.info

PAZ DEL CASTILLO:
"MOODS FOR PIANO"
Neuronium Records
Through twelve compositions with a complete predominance on the part of the piano as a soloist instrument, Paz del Castillo creates an intimate atmosphere, with her romantic music. The composer drinks from classical sources, yet also from the New Instrumental Music. The music turns out to be relaxing, at times melancholic, at times blissful, with some mystery touches, with warm textures and soft colors. A true delight for the ears from the first to the last theme. The record has been arranged and produced by Suzanne Ciani.
EDUARDO FONTANA

http://www.neuronium.info

JEREMY:
"FRUIT TREE"
Jam Records
In "Fruit Tree" we find ten original compositions where the piano is the star -and solo- instrument. This is a fine work that can be labelled within the New Instrumental Music. There also appear classical elements. The pieces have an exquisite romantic character. The music is not slow, but it flows at a medium speed. The rhythmic structure is based on the piano and harbors the melody within itself. This album is pleasant to listen to and will no doubt appeal to those who enjoy the piano as a soloist instrument.
VIRGINIA TAMAYO

http://www.jamrecordings.com

CAZENAVE & FRIENDS:
"TOWER"
Astral
Guillermo Cazenave is known as a pioneer synthesist of the New Age movement in Latin America, yet his style has always gone far beyond that label,  often drifting into the terrains of Space Music, New Instrumental Music, Symphonic Rock, and even Classical Music. In "Tower"  he offers us a good sample of his powerful creativity and the diversification of his music. This consists in the recording of some of his live performances taking place at the Tower of Magdala en  Rennes-le-Chateau on July 22 (Saint Magdalena's day) in 1995 and in 1996. Through the pieces that shape this album, we witness a solid display of beautiful melodies of a classical hue at times, and typical of Symphonic Rock at other times, complex orchestrations with synthesizers, guitars and acoustic instruments, as well as rhythms between Rock and New Instrumental Music. The precise combination of the different elements means that "Tower" will equally appeal to the followers of Space Music, Space Rock and New Instrumental Music in general. Musicians Ronald Lloyd and Juan Puñet accompanied Cazenave onstage.
JORGE MUNNSHE

http://www.guillermocazenave.com

CAZENAVE:
"UN ESPACIO MAS"
Astral
In "Un Espacio Mas" we have a sample of music created regardless of commercial dictates. Leaving aside the artificial barriers among trends, Guillermo Cazenave circulates with a full freedom amongst  New Instrumental Music, Space Music and a classical-like symphonism. Besides, this album offers the wonderful chance to have all of a series of brilliant, disperse themes gathered in one CD, which formerly had little circulation, coming from old casette releases, live performances, and marginal masters. This musical journey through the different periods of Cazenave reflects once again a first-rate creator, an initiator of new trends, yet at the same time someone who is able to escape from the most common labels.
EDUARDO FONTANA

http://www.guillermocazenave.com

CAZENAVE:
"DOS ESPACIOS MAS"
Astral
A magnificient double CD where we enjoy an imaginative collection of pieces, mostly from the eighties, which have been compiled from casette releases, live performances, and other material with scarce or no circulation. As happens with highly-talented composers, the creativity of Cazenave greatly surpasses the level of quality required to release, and many jewels are kept asleep in his audio archives. Pieces which, in the hands of less talented composers would become whole albums, for Cazenave are short, half abandoned themes that in the best of cases may some day become part of retrospective compilations like this one. An incredible wealth of ideas can be appreciated throughout "Dos espacios mas". Without falling into arid  experimentation, Cazenave opens countless avant-garde paths, an transmits feelings and sensations with an almost magical expresiveness.
PASCUAL JURADO

http://www.guillermocazenave.com

CAZENAVE & ANTHONY PHILLIPS:
"ALL OUR LIVES"
Astral
An excellent double CD where diverse collaborations between these two legendary artists of the avant-garde taking place during the period 1995-2001 are gathered. In "All our lives" we have the most symphonic side of Space Music, merged with the grandiosity of an approach of Progressive Rock near to a classical nature with the strength of a Greek tragedy. There also appear some pieces of an intimate nature, in the key of a Rock ballad, sung by Anthony Phillips, with a guitar accompaniment. 
EDUARDO FONTANA

http://www.astralweb.info/

GREG SEGAL
In the most recent albums by Greg Segal ("The Eye That Shines In Darkness", "Standard", "In Search Of The Fantastic", "An Awareness Of Frameworks", "Intext" (& Chrissy Barr) and "Asleep Or Somewhere Else" (& Eric Wallack) we have a perfect example of experimental music elaborated regardless of any concession to commercial dictates. Greg Segal is an artist whose creative processes when it comes to composing are developed in areas outside those of most musicians. The result of his task constitutes an intriguing sound experience, which will shake the imagination of those listeners avid of new auditive sensations.
ALEJANDRO HINOJOSA

http://www.gregsegal.com

LESLEY SPENCER:
"JOY GARDEN"
Gabriella Music
Fifteen themes of a romantic nature, mostly with an optimistic focus, in the hands of this composer of an exquisite sensitivity. Starting from an approach  near to New Instrumental Music and Symphonic Classicism, Lesley Spencer unites elements from these and other trends, shaping pieces where the melody is at all times remarkable. The music has in the piano its main vehicle of expression. This composer displays a great performing strength with her chosen instrument.
VIRGINIA TAMAYO

http://www.lesleyspencer.com

DAVE BAINBRIDGE:
"VEIL OF GOSSAMER"
Open Sky
In this solo album, Dave Bainbridge, the founder of the charismatic band Iona, shows an exquisite sensitivity to shape pieces of a great emotional strength. Most remarkable is above all the ease with which the composer knows how to shape warm melodies of Folk reminiscences, Celtic as well as Classical, over rhythms more or less typical of  Symphonic Rock and Atmospheric Pop. In this album, Bainbridge has counted with the collaboration of a wealthy cast of musicians, complemented with the fine vocals by Johanne Hogg, Rachel Jones, Mae McKenna, Troy Donockley and Chris Hale.
PASCUAL JURADO

http://www.iona.uk.com

LARGE NUMBER:
"SPRAY ON SOUND"
The music created by Large Number in "Spray on sound" covers with ease diverse regions of Techno, Pop, Rock, Psychedelia and  Industrial Music, always with an avant-garde focus, not lacking in experimentation.
ALEJANDRO HINOJOSA

http://www.largenumber.co.uk

ELECTRIC BARBARIAN:
"EL"
Exco
The band Electric Barbarian, founded by Floris Vermeulen,  makes a peculiar mixture of Drum'n Bass and Jazz-Rock with strong doses of improvisation and experimentation. In this album, also participates Kain, a name associated to the birth of Rap as a musical trend, and to other avant-garde, transgressor cultural proposals.
DEREK DOARN

http://www.electricbarbarian.com

HONEYROOT:
"SOUND ECHO LOCATION"
One World Music / New World Music
The general approach of this album, mostly structured around Atmospheric Pop, counts with a fresh, agile focus that provides this work with a remarkable expressivity. The music made by Glenn Gregory and Keith Lowndes, the members of the duo Honeyroot, benefits from the long artistic experience both of them have, and which is supported by the task they both have developed with such artists and bands as for instance Ultravox, Midge Ure, and Siouxsie And The Banshees. "Sound Echo Location" is an album that will no doubt appeal to the followers of avant-garde Pop.
DEREK DOARN

http://www.newworldmusic.com

DAVID WRIGHT:
"CONTINUUM"
AD Music
The suggestive combination of oniric textures and space brush-strokes David Wright bases the creation of this album on, constitutes a true treasure trove. According to this and other approaches, the composer succeeds in shaping a work with a strong power of evocation, which will be liked by the usual followers of Melodic Ambient, the most symphonic side of Space Music, or the most ethereal trend of Synth-Pop.
EDGAR KOGLER

http://www.admusiconline.com

SURFACE 10:
"BORROWED TIME 2000"
Space for Music Records
Surface 10 presents here a work that fluctuates between  Space Ambient and Synth-Pop, with fresh ideas and an interesting artistic approach that will not go unnoticed from those who enjoy the most daring trend of truly electronic music.
EDGAR KOGLER

http://www.surface10.net

RILEY LEE & MARSHALL McGUIRE:
"FLOATING WORLD"
New World Music
A delightful collection of Classical pieces of a romantic nature, performed by flutist Riley Lee and harpist Marshall McGuire. Riley Lee is well-known all over the world as a virtuoso of the ancient Japanese flute Shakuhachi, and he has been compared in this instrument to Ravi Shankar at the sitar, and  Miles Davis at the trumpet. Brimming with sensitivity in every instant of performance,  Riley Lee, wrapped into the equally inspired accompaniment by  Marshall McGuire, offers us some of the most exquisite jewels of Erik Satie, Maurice Ravel, Gabriel Faure and other composers.
VIRGINIA TAMAYO

http://www.newworldmusic.com

THE PRIME TIME SUBLIME COMMUNITY ORCHESTRA:
"A LIFE IN A DAY OF A MICROORGANISM"
Corporate Blob Records
This production attracts the listener's attention from the very first moment, due to the fact that it includes music, sound collages and dialogues in a curious humoristic approach. The Prime Time Sublime Community Orchestra, an ensemble created by Paul Minotto, is specialized in dealing with an infinity of music genres, using music stereotypes of all kinds to make sound stories full of irony. No doubt, an original proposal that will have imitators.
ALEJANDRO HINOJOSA

http://www.primetimesublime.com

BACK TO EARTH:
"COMFORT MUSIC 2"
Real Music
In this album we have an exquisite collection of instrumental compositions, coming from various albums of the duo Back to Earth, the winner of a platinum disc in Europe. The music made by Back to Earth is rich in melodies, carefully elaborated, and a romantic character. Another important trait of the compositions resides in the orchestrations, an element that contributes much of the emotional strength of the music.
HECTOR JORDAN

http://www.realmusic.com

  
  

June 15, 2004

DOM F. SCAB:
"TWELVE STORIES"
Margen Records
A brilliant, imaginative work where the synthesist widens the horizons of Space Sequencer Music, the current where his personal style best fits in. Far from allowing himself to be seduced by lineal sequences and long developments, Scab takes the complexity of the music to unusual heights, which gives it an exhuberant wealth that fascinates the listener from the first moment. The countless shades range from the melodic aspects to the rhythmic ones, including the sound textures of each and every moment. The music easily transmits sensations and feelings that fluctuate among vital impressions, full of energy, and others instilled with melancholy and mystery. Rich in changeable rhythmic structures, these are based on the sequencers, managed with a great mobility. as well as in a percussion of a classical nature, which enhances the dramatic air of certain passages. Far from the monolithic approaches that often ballast the music from other composers of Space Sequencer Music, Scab outlines very differentiated sketches for each theme or passage, and uses exotic architectures, which do not fall into arid experimentation but rather achieve a whole expressiveness. The skill of this synthesist in sculpturing his music second by second, in such a way that in every instant sound events different from the previous ones are produced, and which is an important trait of his style, is also magnifiently shown in this album. On the other hand, his ability to work with numerous sounds simultaneously, yet succeeding in keeping every one of them maintaining their identity and making them all fit, also serves this CD to give the music a great richness in timbre, something comparable to, in a Classical Music piece, that provided by the full orchestra.
JORGE MUNNSHE

http://www.margenmusic.com

LUIS ALBERTO NARANJO:
"TOTAL ECLIPSE"
At-Mooss Records
Luis Alberto Naranjo, well-known for his particularly warm focus of electronic music, has attained in "Total Eclipse" what maybe amounts to one of his best works. With a spectacular display of creative energy, he makes an exquisite collection of pieces, presided by the melody, though not lacking in rhythm. He uses electronic textures with great skill to emphasize the expressiveness of the music. As if extending a magical bridge between the human and the cybernetic. he takes us to a fascinating adventure, brimming with intense emotions.
JORGE MUNNSHE

http://www.luisalbertonaranjo.com

SAM VITOULIS:
"APRIL 4th 1984"
Margen Records
Music with a remarkable dramatic load, which immediately attracts the attention of the listener. Just as a songwriter-singer for synthesizers, Sam Vitoulis trasnmits to us messages on transcendental questions of human society, using some of the most emblematic pieces in this album as the vehicle. Not by chance the album is inspired on the novel "1984" by George Orwell. The peculiar style the composer displays in this CD fits well with the topic in the book. By masterfully combining elements from New Instrumental Music with others more typical of Space Music or from some currents to them related, Sam Vitoulis shapes an inspired symphony, brimming with sensitivity as well as with diatribes against some of the bloodiest evils in our civilization. Also, mention must be made of the brilliant collaboration of Sergio Koval, a renewer of Space Music, who has a musical talent excellently displayed in his solo albums, as well as his soundtracks.
EDGAR KOGLER

http://www.margenmusic.com

RON BOOTS: 
"DIFFERENT STORIES AND TWISTED TALES"
Groove Unlimited
Ron Boots adopts in this album a focus perhaps more symphonic and sentimental than the one used in other works of his. Masterfully weaving warm melodies and creating rhythmic structures perfectly integrated in the melodic outline, he succeeds in taking us to a path that joins the human with the divine, light with shadow, euphoria with disenchantment. The stylistic elements that prevail the most belong to Synth-Pop, Ambient,  Space Sequencer Music and New Instrumental Music. The artist attains a work of great beauty. The album was originally recorded between January  1992 and May 1993. With Boots, collaborated Klaus Hoffmann Hook (Mind Over Matter), Guido Negraszus and Eric van der Heijden. 
HECTOR JORDAN

http://www.groove.nl/

"GOODESS GROOVE"
Music a la Carte / Music Mosaic
A compilation of pieces developed around World Music and Atmospheric Pop, all sharing the common trait of offering a careful selection of female vocals more or less adscribed to World Music or to the Alternative Musics. The contents of the album is as follows: The Moment by Indivinity (vocals: Monique Lewis). Shaman by Sally Oldfield. Y'mama (Deep Dive Corp mix) by Zehava Ben. Music Love Makes by Ariel Kalma (Vocals: Ellika Hansen). Lan Gaelach by Hyperborea (Vocals: Una O'Boyle). Gentle Rain by Disha & Bhakta (Vocals: Disha). Meera's Love by Infinity (Vocals: Suvarna). Burning Love by Yantra de Vilder (Vocals: Vanessa Baker). Meta by Rama IV. Siam by Limborg / Barki (Vocals: Ponbun / Barki).
MARCELLA CIRIGNOLA

http://www.music-mosaic.com

"DRUMMING PLANET"
Music a la Carte / Music Mosaic
A collection of themes whose stylistic basis is nourished by World Music, Atmospheric Pop and Trance. All the pieces have an important percussive component, as suggested by the title of the CD, although the melody is never neglected. Contents of the album: Drumming Circle by Professor Trance. Invocation by Gabrielle Roth & The Mirrors. Keonukpo by Adesa. The Prodigal Son by Keiya. The Shisha Room by Solace. Utsheva by Baul Bishwa. Sister's Gonna Dance Now by Native Ground. The Owl Dance by Gomer Edwin Evans. Talking Drums by Ariel Kalma. Samhain by Phil Thornton.
MARCELLA CIRIGNOLA

http://www.music-mosaic.com

PAUL ELLIS & CRAIG PADILLA:
"ECHO SYSTEM"
Groove Unlimited
Joining their different focuses of Space Music, Paul Ellis and Craig Padilla shape a collection of themes where the listener can appreciate the contribution of each one of them, as well as the result of the combination of different working techniques. Here they offer us a tightly-vowen symphony, brimming with intense colors and caleidoscopic shades. The slow passages turn out to be wondrous, almost baroque in their conception. The rhythms are mostly of a medium speed, very complex, and with branches entering the melodic part, often merging with it. In conclusion, an excellent album that will appeal to the followers of Space Music.
EDGAR KOGLER

http://www.groove.nl/

CRAIG PADILLA:
"GENESIS"
Spotted Peccary
Craig Padilla accomplishes a daring futuristic jump in this album. Moving away from the most typical outlines of Ambient and Space Sequencer Music, he merges rhythm and melody in the suite after which the CD is named, as well as in other passages of the album, in such a way that ge succeeds in making it difficult for us to decide where one ends and the other begins. The result is impressive, and not only due to the complexity in timbre, but also because of the grandeur of orchestrations and arrangements.
EDGAR KOGLER

http://www.spottedpeccary.com

SERGE BLENNER: 
"MIROIR DE SOI"
MdeC Editions
In "Miroir de Soi", there is a great variety of styles, colors, emotions, that Serge Blenner is able to reflect in his compositions. The music is melodic, with cosmic touches and others typical of Classical Music. Several pieces are dominated by a majestic character. Others sound mysterious, sinister, like for instance "Illumination". A certain nostalgic air is present in most of the themes. The orchestrations are very well built, enhancing the impact of the music. The use of synthesizers enhances the nightly, sensual atmospheres, that appear in some of the compositions, and is likewise useful as a vehicle for innovative ideas. 
HECTOR JORDAN

http://www.blenner.com

GUILLERMO CAZENAVE & STEVEN HALPERN:
"SPANISH IMPROMPTU"
Astral
Guillermo Cazenave and Steven Halpern collaborate in this wonderful album. They combine their respective artistic influences very well, thus achieving that their music possesses a fresh personality, very imaginative, capable of attracting the attention of the listener at once. An important aspect that can be appreciated in their compositions is the great experience they have in the  musical arena. "Spanish Impromptu" is celestial music, crystaline, with emotive melodies of a great strength. The music tends to be soft, with slow rhythms, or even static. The artists combine dreamy melodies, with unearthly environments, outlining an impressive sonic landscape of a mystic-cosmic character. 
EDUARDO FONTANA

http://www.astralweb.info/

"PURE PLEASURE 3-D" (video album on DVD)
Look & Listen Productions
This is a very interesting video album. Defined as "a new concept in entertainment", it plays like a CD but uses DVD technology to intensify the listening experience. With a total running time of 75 minutes, "Pure Pleasure 3-D" combines pieces from different composers, with images from nature. Image and sound mutually enhance their relaxing effects. The 3D technique utilized in this DVD (Pulfrich Effect) is based on motion. Two pairs of Pulfrich 3D glasses are included to enhance the 3D effect. Images seen through the clear lens reaches our brain faster than images seen through the dark lens. So, with properly recorded movement, any object moving across the horizontal field seems real. This video album takes us to a voyage throughout some of the most impressive scenarios of the planet we live in. The images are wonderful indeed. The force of nature has in this collection of compositions, a perfect soundtrack. With a clear dominance of New Instrumental Music, the soundtrack presents a careful selection of compositions by Vlad Kuryluk, Kenny Salmon, F. Rahier, Sonny Fazio, Daril S, Jamie Harrington, Bruce Maginnis, Michael Howle, and others. The music videos included are: "Return to Portofino", "Waterfalls", "River Reflections", "Surf at Sunset", "Cozy Fire", "Train to Geneva", "Tivoli Fountains", "Glowing Creek", "Steaming Pools", "Jellyfish Ballet", "Red Rocks of Utah", "Snow Flight", "Yellowstone Rapids", "Fish Circle", "Pompei Saturday Night". After these 15 Music & Nature tracks, there are 9 environmental tracks with no music. This video album is produced by Thomas Blakeslee, a very well known researcher and writer. In 1980 he wrote a famous book on the human mind called "The Right Brain". Other of his books are "Beyond the Conscious Mind: Unlocking the Secrets of the Self" and "The Attitude Factor: Extend Your Life by Changing the Way You Think".
SARAH TOMBLIN

http://www.attitudefactor.com

NOOSFERA:
"EARLY WORKS"
Soulcode Records
Noosfera (Cesare Marilungo) shapes in the nine pieces of this album a collection of musical ideas difficult to classify. There are pieces near to New Instrumental Music, others with Ambient touches, and several with Industrial elements, even though all of them keep a very personal style. Many of the compositions possess a distinctly mysterious character. The artist utilizes electronics with great imagination, succeeding in creating musical structures far from the most usual trends. To do this, he uses unconventional sonic architectures. 
EDGAR KOGLER

http://www.cesaremarilungo.com

NOOSFERA:
"JUNGIAN EPIPHANIES"
Soulcode Records
Noosfera (Cesare Marilungo) utilizes the guitar, the synths and his whispering voice to draw a whole series of portraits with crepuscular colors, soft, urban at times, metaphysical in other occasions, which compose a peculiar gallery of life. He builds melodic themes of a great beauty, and some even turn out to be highly mysterious. The main path for the fusion is punctuated by means of the encounter of Progressive Rock and Ambient. 
DEREK DOARN

http://www.cesaremarilungo.com

CESARE MARILUNGO:
"BALLOON"
Soulcode Records
This new composition is on the same line followed by the latest ones by Cesare Marilungo (Noosfera), that is to say, an imaginative fusion of Ambient and Progressive Rock.
DEREK DOARN

http://www.cesaremarilungo.com

AMY WHITE & AL PETTEWAY:
"GOLDEN WING"
Maggie's Music
Amy White and Al Petteway succeeded in creating a collection of pieces dominated by sensual melodies. The music presents elements typical of Folk, Celtic, Country, Jazz, and some other styles. The general orientation is romantic. Amy's ethereal voice turns out to be the ideal complement to enhance the warmth appreciated in all the tracks. The result is a precious collection of pieces with an emotive air, sometimes happy, sometimes melancholy. A true delight for the ears from the first to the last theme. 
MARCELLA CIRIGNOLA

http://www.maggiesmusic.com

MAGGIE SANSONE:
"MYSTIC DANCE, A CELTIC CELEBRATION"
Maggie's Music
This is an impressive album which captures the attention of the listener from the very beginning. The listener embarks on a dreamy tour to the past, wrapped in the traditional sounds of Celtic and European ancestral melodies, intertwined with elements of World Music with certain touches of New Instrumental Music. Using basically the Hammered Dulcimer and the Persian Santur, Maggie succeeds in creating a work full of beauty and mystery. From her hand, these instruments appear at the same heights as any other orchestra instruments among those which are best appreciated in the role of soloists, like for instance the piano. An intense creative task can be appreciated throughout the entire album. In short, this is an excellent work, which no doubt will contribute to increasing the reputation of Maggie Sansone.
HECTOR JORDAN

http://www.maggiesmusic.com

KAREN ASHBROOK & PAUL OORTS:
"CELTIC CAFE"
Maggie's Music
In this CD, Karen Ashbrook and Paul Oorts offer us warm music, emotional, with a vital air. The pieces basically range around Irish, French and Flemish Folk. The melodies also present Classical traits and World Music reminiscences. By utilizing mainly guitar, hammered dulcimer, wooden flute and accordion, they take us through journeys to beautiful worlds, and evoke situations where feelings are manifested in all their depth.
MARCELLA CIRIGNOLA

http://www.maggiesmusic.com

MANIGRA:
"TO BE TREATED AS ONE"
The band Manigra creates a kind of music near to Atmospheric Pop, full of warm atmospheres. The music is deliberate, with slow rhythms. Part of the music has traits typical of Rock ballads. There are passages that get near to Ambient. Kate's crystaline voice is the high point of a work that will awake the enthusiasm of the followers of the best Melodic Pop.
DEREK DOARN

http://www.manigra.com

JAM CAMP:
"BLACK HILLS JAM - PRESERVES VOL. II"
Flying Spot Records
The music by this band is an imaginative combination of elements typical of Jazz and others of an avantgarde character near to Progressive Rock. Part of the music is merry, even boisterous, whereas other themes have a certain melancoly touch. The result is a colourful tapestry of soundscapes that will no doubt appeal to the lovers of these musical genres, while at the same time aiming at a wider audience.
DEREK DOARN

http://www.jamcamp.com

KURT MICHAELS:
"INNER WORLDS PART ONE"
Eitux Records
By skilfully utilizing synthesizers, Kurt Michaels creates icy textures, mysterious, near to cosmic Ambient, in the most unsettling parts of the work. Other passages could be labelled within the New Instrumental Music. There also are Psychedelic traits. His music possesses an unusual personality, capable of attracting the attention of the listener at once.
EDGAR KOGLER

http://www.kurtmichaels.com

THE VICTIM'S SHUDDER:
"SONIC TORTURE METHODS"
God is Myth Records
In this work there is a great beauty, even colored with certain romanticism, yet it is the beauty of The Dark, the hypnotic attraction that the sinister awakens in the human soul. The melodies flow between the melancholy and the enigmatic. An important part of the merit of the album is the fact that it succeeds in reaching these obscure regions without falling into arid experimentation that disturbs musical perception. Neither exaggerated stridencies, nor shapeless noisism, only a well planned path towards solitary, marginal corners of Gothic, Dark Ambient.
EDGAR KOGLER

http://www.god-is-myth.com

STEUART LIEBIG / THE MENTONES:
"LOCUSTLAND"
pfMENTUM
This CD gathers an interesting experience of musical creativity. The music oscillates around the Experimental Jazz, with apocalyptic atmospheres with subtle reminiscences of Chamber Music and Psychedelic Rock. Steuart Liebig, who in this album plays contrabassguitar, is accompanied by Tony Atherton (alto saxophone), Bill Barrett (Chromatic harmonica), and Joseph Berardi (drumset, percussion)
DEREK DOARN

http://www.pfmentum.com

KEN ELKINSON:
"OPAL"
August Son Productions
"Opal" is a work of a romantic quality, with traits of New Instrumental Music and some Jaz touches, presided by melody. The piano is the soloist instrument in the ten themes this album consists of. Each one of the tracks reaches the listener with an air full of emotions, refreshing and brimming with soft textures and colors. Aimed at a wide audience, this CD will no doubt appeal to the followers of New Instrumental Music. 
SARAH TOMBLIN

http://www.kenelkinson.com

JIM FOX:
"THE CITY THE WIND SWEPT AWAY"
Cold Blue Music
This CD contains an only piece, of 22 minutes in lenght, created by Jim Fox in 1982 and recorded in 2003-2004. It is a beautiful suite of a soft, romantic, magic and deliberate style, whose structure quite reminds the listener of that of Classical Minimalism. The music, mostly performed with the piano, presents a melancholy hue.
SARAH TOMBLIN

http://www.coldbluemusic.com

STEVE PETERS:
"FROM SHELTER"
Cold Blue Music
This CD, whose running time is 16 minutes, contains the beautiful music composed in 1997 for "Shelter", a theater & dance work written and choreographed by Lane Lucas. In the four pieces that constitute the album, Steve Peters offer us a soft, hypnotic music, with Classical elements as well as some touches of Minimalism and also Ambient.
SARAH TOMBLIN

http://www.coldbluemusic.com

DANIEL LENTZ:
"LOS TIGRES DE MARTE"
Cold Blue Music
This CD by Daniel Lentz consists of an only 16-minute track. It is a precious suite which fluctuate between Melodic Classical Music and New Instrumental Music. There also are some touches of Minimalism and Ambient. In this composition, Daniel Lentz (electronic keyboards) is accompanied byBrad Ellis (electronic keyboards), Marty Walker (clarinet), Maria Newman (viola), Erika Duke-Kirkpatrick (cello), Peter Kent (violin) and Robin Lorentz (violin).
SARAH TOMBLIN

http://www.coldbluemusic.com

MICHAEL JON FINK:
"A TEMPERAMENT FOR ANGELS"
Cold Blue Music
A single composition, lasting 28 minutes, constitutes this CD. "A temperament for Angels" is an interesting piece of a Ambient-Minimalist nature, interpreted with sampler keyboards, cellos, violins and cymbals. The music has a mysterious character, oniric, surreal. The richness in texture of quite a number of ethereal passages makes it difficult to distinguish where the natural sound of a given instrument finishes and where the electronic sound begins. 
SARAH TOMBLIN

http://www.coldbluemusic.com

CRYSTAL VIBRATIONS MUSIC ENSEMBLE:
"CRYSTAL PORTAL"
Crystal Vibrations Music
In this release, the Crystal Vibrations Music Emsemble utilize crystal bowls, transverse flute and harmonic percussion with great imagination, succeeding in creating musical structures far from the most usual Ambient trends. The four slow pieces that are included in this CD constitute a succession of magical, meditative passages, leading to the peace of mind, and meditation, in the purest style of New Age Music with mystic and cosmic touches that will no doubt appeal to the followers of these musical genres.
HECTOR JORDAN

http://www.elivia.com

ELIVIA MELODEY'S CRYSTAL VIBRATIONS:
"JOURNEY TO WHOLENESS"
In this release, Elivia Melodey and Gaye Unverferth combine unearthly environments with sonic landscapes of a mystic-cosmic character. To do this, they have used twenty singing crystal bowls, flutes and soft percussive sounds. Five unearthly pieces, constitute magical paintings, capable of making us imagine astral voyages beyond the limits of space or time.
HECTOR JORDAN

http://www.elivia.com

ELIVIA MELODEY'S CRYSTAL VIBRATIONS:
"CELESTIAL MEMORIES"
The Quarz Crystal Singing Bowls, with the addition of flutes, chimes and other instruments, shape a variety of atmospheres, textures and melodies that immerse the listener within a magical world where time ceases to exist. Elivia Melodey and Gaye Unverferth take us step by step into an unexplored terrain, that they consider to be apt for meditation and to listen to our "inner source". 
HECTOR JORDAN

http://www.elivia.com

RICH WEST:
"BEDOUIN HORNBOOK"
pfMENTUM
Rich West composes a mosaic of different paths in acoustic experimentation. The music is a daring combination of elements typical of Contemporany Music, Alternative Jazz and Avantgarde Rock. Quite pieces are dynamic, with disturbing melodies, and aggressive rhytms. There are dark, slow passages. Accompanying West, the following musicians participated: Chris Heenan, Bruce Friedman, Jeremy Drake, and Scot Ray.
DOMINIQUE CHEVANT

http://www.pfmentum.com

VAN & BORNER:
"MIRACLES"
B&T Records
The duo Van & Borner, consisting in Barbara Zielinska (Van) and Sabina Borner, creates a powerful electronic music, full of warm melodies, strong rhythms and unearthly ambiences. The most dynamic part of their music tends to belong to the Synth-Pop and Space Sequencer influences. The melodies have spectacular orchestrations with synthesizers and a certain romantic character though it doesn't fall into an excessive sweetness. Barbara and Sabina play the synthesizers, and, in this album, they are accompanied by Darek Budkiewicz (bass guitar), Marek Gorlitz (guitars) and Jola Literska (vocals)
EDGAR KOGLER

http://www.van.prv.pl





May 31, 2004

AT-MOOSS:
"THE ARROW OF TIME"
At-Mooss Records
In this album, the band At-Mooss succeeds in impressing us once again with a risky artistic approach, as well as a technical mise-en-scéne brimming with sound surprises. Exploring electronic music beyond the formal limits that labels dictate, the artists fly in absolute freedom among different trends, yet sculpturing a very coherent stylistic line which follows, in quite a number of aspects, the path they opened with their album "Cyclotron". One of the most characteristic traits in the album is its mysterious air, at times openly gloomy, as already suggested by the Edgar Allan Poe's quote displayed on the inner side of the cover. This funereal halo hovers somehow over almost all of the music. At times, it is about sepulchral melodies, icy, sharp, as if they were directly retrieved from the nightmares of the collective subconscious. At other times, it's the sequencer rhythms the ones that, writhing like threatening screams stemming from maddened machines in  factories, drags us towards the Terror of Technology. All that is often wrapped into atmospheres rich in sounds that simulate all kinds of machinery. The music almost always has an indefinable nocturnal aroma, brimming with fog and smoke, and links with the darkest side of Industrial Music, while at the same time incorporating gothic, psychedelic and Dark Ambient traits, as well as the dynamics of Space Sequencer Music. Showing a great command of sound, the musicians sculpt an infinity of textures, arriving to passages where a classical orchestra coexists with sequencers of a markedly cybernetic nature. Also, the elaborated stereo panorama is likewise noteworthy, a panorama where, even with earphones one can hear some particular sound coming from outside of them, of "from behind".
JORGE MUNNSHE

If you wish to purchase this recording you only have to use this link:

http://www.amazings.com/mailorder.html

GERT EMMENS & RUUD HEIJ:
"RETURN TO THE ORIGIN"
Groove Unlimited / Quantum Records
In this album, Gert Emmens and Ruud Heij have succeeded in creating a window through which the listener can glimpse at faraway worlds, experience adventures among the starse, and find himself face to face with the transcendental enigmas every Human Being wonders about from birth to death. Impressive music that spurs imagination. Best quality Space Sequencer Music, rich in complex rhythmic architectures and suggestive melodies.
EDGAR KOGLER

http://www.groove.nl/

PAUL ELLIS:
"THE SACRED ORDINARY"
Groove Unlimited
An excellent sample of Paul Ellis's talent as a composer of a Space orientation. In this well cared for album, he takes a route through unusual life experiences, places and characters, which are described with an impressive sharpness in the music. Thus, we find rhythmic passages which are truly powerful, dominated by overlapping layers of accelerated sequencers. And with slow pieces, rich in well-defined melodies, which range with an exquisite uncertainty between the beautiful and the enigmatic. Also remarkable is the collaboration of Rudy Adrian, the keyboard magician from New Zealand, already well-known for his impressive albums of Space Music. Famous synthesist Steve Roach, on the other hand, collaborated in the post-production phase.
EDGAR KOGLER

http://www.groove.nl/

FRANK VAN BOGAERT:
"COLOURS"
Groove Unlimited
Frank calls his work "ambient synthesizer music", but it is probably much more than that. Influenced by artists like Deep Forest or Beautiful World, his contributions to the genre are indeed more electronic. He likes sequencers (we too) so the results with them are excellent. There also ethnic traits (listen to that voices), good rhythms, a wide sound palette (including sounds from the nature), and charming melodies which you will want to hear over and over again. Colours is one of the best works around for this type of music. Please, listen to pieces number 2 or 3. They are definitely great! The album contains 12 themes. Frank Van Bogaert composed, arranged and produced them. He also plays all instruments.
MANUEL MONTES

http://www.groove.nl/

PETER MERGENER:
"LOUNGE CONTROL"
Prudence / BSC Music
This work is a fresh combination of influences coming from Atmospheric Pop, Synth-Pop, Ambient and Trance. The melodies usually are warm, soft, with a certain romantic air. The rhythmic structure of the music tends to be based on the percussion typical of Pop as a general rule, as well as on sequencers. These latter ones contribute some traits of Space Sequencer to the music, although the general outline here described is the predominant one. The electronic orchestrations contribute in a remarkable way to recreate the landscapes suggested by each piece. The album also includes elements typical of the most symphonic side of the New Instrumental Music.
ALEJANDRO HINOJOSA

http://www.bscmusic.com

DEBORAH MARTIN & CHERYL GALLAGHER:
"TIBET"
Spotted Peccary Music
Sensibility, majesty and warmth would perhaps be the most adequate words to refer to this work. Deborah Martin and Cheryl Gallagher offer us an excellent sample of what they are capable of doing. The artists fuse Melodic Ambient and New Instrumental Music, with certain touches of World Music with a Tibetan flavor. The result is a precious collection of melodies with a romantic air, sometimes happy, sometimes melancholy, not lacking in some occasions a suggestive aura of mystery.
PASCUAL JURADO

http://www.spottedpeccary.com

AGNUS DEI:
"GAIA"
Indigo Music
Gerald Krampl, a keyboardist with a Classical background who began into music in the 1970's within Symphonic Rock, formed the duo "Agnus Dei" with his wife Hilde. Gerald was the musical member of the duo, whereas Hilde wrote the poetic texts in the booklet accompanying the CDs. She sadly died in 2002. "Gaia" is, in some way, a homage to Hilde, the Gerald's muse and artistic partner, and a good sample of the special artistic chemistry between both of them. The general style of the work, based on the piano and electronic keyboards, can be described as New Instrumental Music with some classical traits. The music is usually romantic, warm, dynamic, with a certain melancholy touch. In all, "Gaia" is a wonderful album which deserves to be listened to by any follower of the New Instrumental Music.
VIRGINIA TAMAYO

http://www.indigomusic.at/

ANTHONY PHILLIPS:
"SOFT VIVACE"
Astral
"Soft Vivace" by the ex-Genesis Anthony Phillips, is an impressive album which captures the attention of the listener from the very beginning. Anthony Phillips is a highly talented composer, guitarist and pianist, and his music shows his very personal style. The artist develops an excellent collection of fresh, expressive pieces that basically range around New Instrumental Music and Space Music in its most melodic, symphonic side. Some pieces, as for example "Majestuosas ballenas" have a majestic air, and help to evoke, in the imagination of the listener, voyages to exotic places and impressive experiences. Other themes have some classical elements and some touches of Rock Ballad. In a few words, this is a magnificient album that will not leave us indifferent to it.
JORGE MUNNSHE

http://www.arrakis.es/~astral/

CAZENAVE:
"ERA BUENA"
Astral
Guillermo Cazenave paints convincing soundscapes that lead the listener to let imagination fly freely through the musical universe this expert composer suggests. With majestic orchestrations, of a heavenly hue, ethereal melodies are being carefully woven. The synthesizers, performing the music in a crystaline, atmospheric way, provide the music with its quality of magic, unearthly feeling. The talent of this artist is not only obvious in the composition of the melodies, but also in the careful selection of sounds. "Era Buena" is a magnificient album of Space Music, brimming with emotional melodies of a great strength, and warm synthesizer atmospheres that emphasize the ethereal aspects of the music.
JORGE MUNNSHE

http://www.arrakis.es/~astral/

ENTERPHASE:
"SOLAR PROMENADES"
AD Music
Through beautifully developed pieces of a varied character, Enterphase take us into wondrous soundscapes. Eleven compositions of a fresh air, where rhythm and melody are very well combined. The basic style includes Space and New Instrumental traits, with a strong protagonism of the synthesizers. The music turns out to be dreamy, oniric, at times soft, at times lively, with some melancholy touches, with warm textures and crepuscular colors, always bringing to the mind of the listener the vision of magic universes. In this album, Enterphase (Fred Becker and Jeff Filbert) are accompanied by David Wright, Dean de Benedictis and John Dumitru.
EDGAR KOGLER

http://www.admusiconline.com

  
  

April 15, 2004

EMILY BURRIDGE:
"FOOTSTEPS IN THE SAND"
White Horse World Music
The strength arising fom the music by Emily Burridge clearly shows her fascinating artistic personality. Her voyages and contacts with the native cultures of South America have made her into a woman who is concerned with the cultural preservation of minorities, and have provided her with an unusual artistic background. In her compositions, Emily is capable of gathering, in a truly spontaneous way, elements derived from her Classical upbringing, together with those coming from the ethnic musics she has lived with. This naturality makes her music, brimming with exquisite melodies, connect at once with the listener, as it combines instrumental passages with other sung ones, often by herself. Her warm, sensual vocals enhance the sentimental character of quite an amount of her music, as much as her performance with the cello and the keyboards does. When listening to the album, it is obvious that Emily has not intended to create a work within a given genre, or aimed at a certain sector of the audience. The  stylistic elements her music contains are not simple ingredients chosen so as to get a given result. To her, they have had a personal transcendence in some given moment of her life, and this is thus reflected in her album. An accomplished cello performer, among other things, she is one of the few people who have the rare ability to improvise with this instrument. Furthermore, Emily has also worked in soundtracks, and has likewise been keeping an intense activity with respect to concerts. She usually collaborates with renowned artists in the alternative musics, such as for example Gandalf, who plays in this album, together with other musicians.
JORGE MUNNSHE

http://www.emilyburridge.com

EMILY BURRIDGE:
"EARTH SONGS"
White Horse World Music
The re-release of this album, originally released in  1994 by an independent German label, will allow those who could not get it then, to acquire a magnificient album of adventure, dreamy music. The peculiar style Emily displays is nourished with a symphonism of a Classical flavour, especially flowing from her mastery as a cello performer, as well as from elements found in the ethnic musics of South America, and most specifically, from Brazil. This outline is complemented with a careful mise-en-scene, wealthy in orchestrations, where Emily is accompanied by other artists. She herself shows her wide range as a performer, besides her art as a composer, when playing the cello and the synthesizers, as well as singing. As she advances in her musical vocation without paying attention to conventionalisms, this woman has succeeded in shaping a very personal, direct style, which attracts the attention of the listener very easily indeed.
JORGE MUNNSHE

http://www.emilyburridge.com

RICHARD PINHAS:
"TRANSITION"
Cuneiform Records
The music that Richard Pinhas offers us in this album has all the elements needed to awaken the maximum interest among the followers of Ambient, Psichedelia and Space Rock. Kaleidoscopic atmospheres, ghostly textures, and a personal focus, free from ties, which provides the music with a great freshness, these are the main assets of "Transition". Richard Pinhas proves his talent to shape universes of sound brimming with imagination yet once again.
EDGAR KOGLER

http://www.cuneiformrecords.com

JIM PIETKIVITCH:
"INNER WORLDS"
Electrofine Music
The music made by Jim Pietkivitch reflects the intense emotions that activaty his artistic creativity. With an approach more or less connected to New Instrumental Music as well as Space Music, the album offers us an excellent sample of the work by this artist, who has a remarkable talent to create melodies of a great beauty. A very good choice for those listeners who enjoy a  melodic symphonism with space shades.
EDGAR KOGLER

http://www.electrofine.com

Sampler:
"FATELESS FLOWS COLLECTIVE VOL.01"
The  Fateless Flows is an ensemble of American artists from the Los Angeles area who choose to deal with innovation and experimentation within Pop and Techno. Starting from these as well as other associated trends, they create fresh, spontaneous pieces. The contents of the CD is as follows: Niture: "Itsgo". Appogee: "This Moment". Surface 10: "Fall in Line". Mr. Soon: "Tusayan". Cavestar: "Arms Wide Open". Luxury Tax: "Van Conversion". Appogee: "Kddr". Luxury Tax: "Papa New Guinea Pig". Niture: "Pseudopod Interim". ConstantFlux: "Mercury Cocktail". Indicia: "It's Coming Around". ConstantFlux: "Sonic Alchemy". Surface 10: "Devices Remix". Indicia: "Runaway". Subversive Element: "Groove City". Cavestar: "Birth of Light". Mr. Soon: "Fast Yellow Smiley".
ALEJANDRO HINOJOSA

http://www.fatelessflows.com

GNOMUSY:
"ETHEREALITY"
Non Profit Music
This album displays the unmistakable traits of an artist who creates his compositions with entire freedom, without allowing himself to get influenced by ephemeral trends of commercial impositions. The music is structured around elements typical of New Instrumental Music and Synth-Pop, with adequate Celtic brush strokes as well as shades of electronic symphonism, which the composer arranges and combines in imaginative ways. As a whole, "Ethereality" is a work that will appeal to those who enjoy good music within the styles here mentioned. The CD is complemented with a track of data that includes MP3s and PDFs.
VIRGINIA TAMAYO

http://www.nonprofitmusic.org

   

March 26, 2004

FLETCH TOWELL:
"CONTINUUM"
Lerah Productions
This work is a fresh combination of influences coming from Pop, Synth-Pop, Jazz, Fusion and New Instrumental Music. Elements from all these trends converge into a waterfall of creative vitality. The result is a precious collection of pieces with an emotive air, sometimes happy, sometimes melancholy, not lacking in some occasions a suggestive aura of mystery. A music brimming with dynamism, it injects vitality into the listener. Though there are quiet parts, much of the music has a lively rhythm. The melodies are luminous, optimistic, direct. The rhythms are lively, warm, sensual. Although the stylistic spectrum involved is quite wide, the musical personality of the author throughout the entire album can be clearly appreciated. The CD shows an artist whose music possesses an unusual personality, capable of attracting the attention of the listener at once. An intense creative task can be appreciated throughout the entire album, as well as in the orchestrations. In short, this is an excellent work, which no doubt will contribute to increasing the reputation of Fletch Towell.
DEREK DOARN

If you wish to purchase this recording you only have to click here:

http://www.lerah.com/S_CD_Cont.htm

JOHN LAKVEET:
"BUILDING SEQUENTIAL STONES (E.C.A. Vol. 1)"
Groove
This is a spectacular album where John Lakveet shows his talent in the creation of complex themes with powerful rhythms, mysterious melodies and unusual atmospheres. The 14 pieces included in this CD are pure Space Sequencer music of the best quality, with the philosophy of exploring new sonic continents nonetheless without abandoning melody and rhythm. The artist stages a spectacular performance of synthesizers and sequencers, all of them set at the service of electronic music in its most cosmic side. The melodies are intense, lucid, direct. The rhythms are usually based on the sequencers. The music has a certain majestic air, and helps to evoke, in the imagination of the listener, voyages to exotic places and impressive experiences. Here we have a recording, in short, that no lover to these kinds of music should miss in their collection.
JORGE MUNNSHE

http://www.groove.nl/

CAN ATILLA:
"WAVES OF WHEELS"
Groove
Can Atilla shapes in this album a vigorous music, that flows between Synth-Pop and Space Sequencer Music, with incursions into the New Instrumental Music and evocations of Trance. Though there are slow parts, much of the music has a lively rhythm. The sequencers have an important role in all the compositions. Can Atilla shows in this album a great sensitivity when it comes to creating passages dominated by warm, emotional melodies, together with others where the strong sequencer rhythms dominate. A general trait of the album is the fact that the music happens to be very intense, vital, as if reflecting strong emotions.
EDGAR KOGLER

http://www.groove.nl/

ALPHA WAVE MOVEMENT:
"COSMOLOGY"
Groove
Starting from the fusion between Synth-Pop and Space Music, Alpha Wave Movement weaves a solid tapestry of themes where we can also find elements typical of Trance, Ambient, and New Instrumental Music. The artist draws the plot of an exciting story of futuristic action with strong brush strokes. Melodies which often turn out to be mysterious, powerful rhythms and cybernetic ambiences are the master lines where this brilliant album is based on.
EDGAR KOGLER

http://www.groove.nl/

ANDREAS AKWARA:
"PATHOS"
Groove
By using unusual architectures, Andreas Akwara creates dense pieces, brimming with colors and shades. He utilizes electronics with a great imagination and skill, breaking with quite moulds and exploring new musical continents. The music turns out to be dreamy, oniric, at times soft, at times lively, with some melancholy touches, with warm textures and crepuscular colors, always bringing to the mind of the listener the vision of magic universes.
EDGAR KOGLER

http://www.groove.nl/

REMY:
"DISCONNECTED"
AKH Records / Groove
By joining emotional melodies, with a certain melancholy, mysterious air, with elements from Synth-Pop and from a Space Sequencer Music with certain Analogic touches, Remy succeeds in creating a soundscape of a great beauty indeed. The music is very intense, with romantic and also solemn traits, yet without falling into an excessive sweetness. Although there are some slow passages, most of the music has a good rhythm, with a prevalence of the sequencers in the rhythmic structures.
EDGAR KOGLER

http://www.groove.nl/

  
  

March 10, 2004

ELOY FRITSCH:
"ATMOSPHERE"
Dreaming / Rock Symphony /Gens
Eloy Fritsch shows once again his great talent to build electronic music brimming with feelings. To create this album, the artist was inspired by the beauty of the air paths of our world. From the romanticism of a spring sky to the violence of storms, the listener is immersed into an exciting journey among the clouds. The album has a marked symphonic air, with classical elements and some touches of Progressive Rock, all this under an epic focus, powerful, and undoubtedly impressive.
JORGE MUNNSHE

http://www.eloyfritsch.cjb.net

ELOY FRITSCH:
"MYTHOLOGY"
Dreaming / Rock Symphony
Inspired by some of the myths that have culturally influenced human beings the most, Eloy Fritsch shapes an impressive collection of electronic themes. He approaches the composition of this work with an artistic temperament typical of a Renaissance sculptor. He builds melodies that take us towards epic adventures of a faraway past and which evoke in our soul the feelings that reflect the best of human condition. Powerful rhythms, among the sequences of Synth-Pop, classical percussion and the dynamics of Progressive Rock, complete this layout.
JORGE MUNNSHE

http://www.eloyfritsch.cjb.net

INEY:
"ANTARKTINA"
Electroshock Records
Iney (a band formed by Yuri Orlov, Andrey Kireev and Igor Shaposhnikov) in this album give us a fresh, spontaneous music, ranging from  Trance to electronic experimentation. Free from pre-conceived ideas that may limit their creativity, the three musicians develop rhythms of an industrial air, as well as melodies that flow through Space Muisc, Techno and Jazz. Psychedelic touches and shades of obscure Ambient complete the stylistic basis of this album.
ALEJANDRO HINOJOSA

http://www.electroshock.ru/

VERPLANKEN:
"PSYCHEDELIC FRENCH FRIES" (CD single)
An interesting sample of the peculiar style of Verplanken, an underground artist, alien to the conventionalisms of the music world, who shapes an intense music, imaginative, difficult to label, which drinks from the fountains of Psychedelic Rock and of Minimalism.
ALEJANDRO HINOJOSA

SHAYNE WHITE:
"THE OPPOSITE WAY"
Northern Wind Recordings
In this double CD, Shayne White makes crystaline music, emotional, with a vital, happy air. The pieces basically range around  Synth-Pop. The melodies also present symphonic traits and Celtic reminiscences. The rhythms are developed by means of percussion and sequencer. In some themes, the pervasive rhythmic role is led by percussion, whereas in others it is the sequencer the one leading trait, which in such instances, besides, contributes a space music dimension to the music.
DEREK DOARN

Sampler ELECTROACOUSTIC MUSIC VOLUME IX"
Electroshock Records
Continuing with its well-done task of promoting peculiar pieces by artists from all over the world who break with established paths in Electro-Acoustic Music and avantgarde genres, the label Electroshock Records releases its ninth album of "Electroacoustic Music", which includes the following compositions: Gottfried Michael Koenig: "Polychrome". Carl Stone: "Agung". Rodrigo Sigal: "Friction of Things in Other Places". Mark Cooley: "Recomposition#4". Vivian Adelberg Rudow: "Cuban Lawyer, Juan Blanco" (excerpt from "Velvet Hammers"). Simon Wickham-Smith: "justKidding". Eternal Wanderers: "Sufferer's Dreams". Victor Cerullo: "Rusalki".
DOMINIQUE CHEVANT

http://www.electroshock.ru/

  
 
 
 

February 10, 2004

THE MINISTRY OF INSIDE THINGS:
"EVERLASTING MOMENT"
Synkronos
This duo formed by electronic musician Chuck van Zyl and electric guitarist Art Cohen, perform in this album a series of compositions between Space Sequencer Music and Ambient. Explorers of fathomless musical abysses, both artists offer us a wonderful work of electronic music of a deeply cosmic nature. They paint with intense sonic colors an album of strong emotion. The melodies tend to range between the mysterious and the sentimental. The rhythms are ellaborated mostly with powerful sequences.
EDGAR KOGLER

http://www.synkronosmusic.com

ARTEMIY ARTEMIEV:
"TIME, DESERT AND A SOUND"
Electroshock Records
Artemiy Artemiev offers us a masterful album inspired in the vastness of the deserts. Through the five themes of the CD, the listeners can easily recreate in their imagination the desolate landscapes of The Desert, the adventures, sometimes tragic, that its explorers experienced, and the atmosphere of those regions. By skilfully utilizing synthesizers, the composer creates arid textures, mysterious, near to Ambient, in the most unsettling parts of the work. Other passages could be labelled within the Electroacoustic Music. There also are some touches of World Music.
EDGAR KOGLER

http://www.electroshock.ru/

Various:
Sampler "GROOVE MAGIC"
Music Mosaic
In this album we find a selection of themes whose main characteristic is the fact that they belong to some of the most popular areas nowadays in the Chillout & Ethno Fusion panorama. The themes tend to be fast, or at least, non-static.The melodies are very much present throughout the CD. This album is a very commendable addition to the collection of the fans of World Music as well as genres connected to this one who want to get acquainted with new, fresh releases in this line. The contents of the album is as follows: Goldenberg & Schmuyle: "I've been so Free". Professor Trance: "Medicine Trance". Gregor Theelen: "Arizona Dreams". Ariel Kalma: "Spring Dance". Phil Thornton: "Summer Solstice". Kamal: "Sassi". Didier Malherbe / Loy Ehrlich: "Hadouk". Ravi: "Carry Me by". Ross Griggs: Dawn call". Keiya: "The Mandala Trail".
MARCELLA CIRIGNOLA

Various:
Sampler "TRIBAL TRANCE DANCE"
Music Mosaic
In this compilation there is a varied stylistic content, although more or less it can be framed within the Tribal World-beat & Ethnic Fusion. This CD will awake the enthusiasm of the followers of the best World Music. This is the content of the album: Professor Trance: "Xingu". Friedel Lelonek: "Hamu". Zehava Ben: "Razali (Nabil Khalidi)". Kau: "Calango". Kamal M. Engels / Ariel Kalma: "Tribal Trance Dance". Bekaye Kouyate & Sonkoma: "Taniye". Didjworks: "Rhythm Culture". Adesa: "Akoma". Ariel Kalma: "Fou la tete". Karunesh: "Earthsong". Atman: "Gate Keeper".
MARCELLA CIRIGNOLA

ALFY BETZ:
"ALFY BETZ AND THE SALK LAKE BAD BOYS"
The style of the music that Alfy Betz has composed for this CD can be more or less placed within New Instrumental Music, with some characteristics of Pop and Jazz. Part of the music is merry, even boisterous, whereas other themes have a certain melancoly touch. Spontaneity, warmth and sensibility would perhaps be the most adequate words to refer to this work.
PASCUAL JURADO

TOMAS MICHAUD:
"NEW WORLD FLAMENCO JAZZ"
Starland Music
This inspired album created by Tomas Michaud offers us twelve themes where soft instrumental melodies on classical guitars are intertwined with Flamenco folk airs. The music turns out to be dreamy, even relaxing, at times soft, at times lively and blissful, with some melancholy touches, with warm textures and soft colors.
VIRGINIA TAMAYO

ANTANAS JASENKA:
"AN ARTIST AND A PLANE"
Electroshock Records
In this album, Antanas Jasenka explores the hidden regions between Ambient and minimalism. The six compositions that integrate this CD, mostly based on ususual architectures of sound and electro-acoustic collages, take us to an impressive adventure towards the The Unknown.
DOMINIQUE CHEVANT

http://www.electroshock.ru/

ANATOLY PERESELEGIN:
"PASSION MODELS"
Electroshock Records
Taking the most experimental areas of Electroacoustic Music as their main starting point, Anatoly Pereselegin breaks with many moulds and explores new musical continents. From the darkness of remote intergalactic space to the brigtness of stars, Pereselegin's music has an energy that gives the listener the feeling of belonging into an eternal, endless pulse of an ever-expanding universe.
DOMINIQUE CHEVANT

http://www.electroshock.ru/

ALEXEI BORISOV:
"POLISHED SURFACE OF A TABLE"
Electroshock Records
Alexei Borisov is able to surpass barriers and shape music alien to any conventionalism. This album has a mysterious character, oniric, surreal, where sound collages and audio distortion take an important role. Borisov explores sound in different constructions and aspects. The most radical areas of Electroacoustic Music and the most abstract ones of Ambient constitute the stage where the pieces in this CD are developed.
DOMINIQUE CHEVANT

http://www.electroshock.ru/

ALEXANDER VOLODIN:
"REFLECTIONS OF TIME"
Electroshock Records
In this album, Alexander Volodin blends sound textures, shapes echoes, sculpts silences on the surface of ripples, experiments, in short, with the patterns that determine the identity of each sound. He also makes use of architectures typical of Industrial Music, and even of Ambient, so as to develop some passages. These eight compositions are treks towards the darkest areas of Electroacoustic Music.
DOMINIQUE CHEVANT

http://www.electroshock.ru/

RODERIK DE MAN:
"ELECTRIFIED MUSIC"
Electroshock Records
In this album, Roderik de Man explores areas near to New Music, and to Electroacoustic Music. The CD gathers eight experimental works. Starting from a mainlly acoustic instrumental approach, the structure of the music is based on complex architectures.
VALERIANO GUIOL

http://www.electroshock.ru/




January 23, 2004

HEMISPHERE:
"BEAST IN THE HEAT"
Groove
By combining elements from Ambient, Atmospheric Pop, Synth-Pop, Techno and Trance, Hemisphere create compositions where the melodies of a sensual, romantic hue, not lacking in mystery, have an important role. The emotional air of the music is emphasized by the warm textures of the synthesizers. The rhythms, of a rather slow nature, yet often powerful, complex and with an important percussive component, complement tbe basic approach of this album.
EDGAR KOGLER

http://www.groove.nl/

REMY:
"CONNECTED"
AKH Records / Groove
Remy Stroomer is a synthesist whose music recovers the romantic spirit of pioneerings space music in the 1970's, yet accompanying it with new ideas. "Connected" is characterized by long themes of a slow development, rich in dense atmospheres, melodies that range from the mysterious to the romantic, and powerful sequencers sometimes sustained by percussion. Remy admits that Klaus Schulze has been one of his major influences, a trait that can be perceived in the album, yet it is also true that he has already developed his own elements of artistic identity.
EDGAR KOGLER

http://www.groove.nl/

VARIOUS:
"MOMENTS OF SUSPENSION"
it's Twilight Time
A compilation carried out by John Orsi that includes pieces up to now unreleased by Knitting By Twilight, Overflower, Incandescent Sky and Blueshift Signal. The  main orientation is instrumental Atmospheric Pop, with Ambient touches. Most remarkable is the originality in several of the themes.
ALEJANDRO HINOJOSA

VARIOUS:
"THE COMPLETE 10-INCH SERIES FROM COLD BLUE"
Cold Blue Music
In the early 1980's, the label Cold Blue Music released a series of EPs with experimental pieces, which aroused a great interest oin the part of the followers of the avantgarde musical trends. Heeding popular demand, this collection, already legendary, has now been re-released, gathered in a  triple CD. The contents is as follows: Peter Garland: "Matachin Dances". Michael Jon Fink: "Two Pieces for Piano Solo", "Piano Solo", "Vocalise" "Veil for Two Pianos". Barney Childs: "Clay Music". Read Miller: "Mile Zero Hotel", "The Blueprint of a Promise". Chas Smith: "After", "Santa Fe", "October ’68", "Scircura". Rick Cox: "These Things Stop Breathing", "Taken From Real Life". Daniel Lentz: "Slow Motion Mirror", "Midnight White", "Solar Cadence", "Dancing on the Sun". Imaginative New Instrumental Music, piano minimalism, risky experimentation, and Ambient, are the major focuses in this interesting collection.
VALERIANO GUIOL

EMAKHET:
"AN OFFERING"
Studio 10 Records
In this CD single, the duo Emakhet, formed by Rick DeRushia and Emily Ketsdever, offer us a sample of their fresh, dynamic style, ranging from World Music to Pop.
ALEJANDRO HINOJOSA

OPTIMUS ROB:
"MOOD SYNTH"
Optimus Rob makes in this album a fresh, imaginative Techno-Trance, with Ambient touches, and far from several of the conventionalisms that such trends often drag.
ALEJANDRO HINOJOSA

DRAWING ROOM:
"MUSIC FOR PERFORMANCE"
Imaginative experimentation that offers us unusual architectures of sound sculpted by means of focuses near to Electro-acoustic Music and Industrial Ambient.
VALERIANO GUIOL

  

  


January 9, 2004

DOM F. SCAB:
"ABOUT A TREE"
Groove
With his growingly recognizable style, synthesist Dom F. Scab creates amazingly impressive orchestrations of synthesizers with which he develops very expressive melodies and wondrous rhythms. His use of sequencers, far from the so frequent traits in so many musicians, makes of rhythmic structures an inseparable component of the very architecture of melodies. This, together with his excellent natural skills to imprint constant variations in all the elements that constitute the structure of the compositions, including the rhythmic sequences. "About a tree" is a superb album, brimming with impressive, innovative ideas, which will appeal to the followers of Space Sequencer Music and other risky avantgarde trends within electronic music.
JORGE MUNNSHE

http://www.groove.nl/

BJORN LYNNE:
"RETURN TO WITCHWOOD"
Lynne Music
Bjorn Lynne approaches New Instrumental Music, Symphonic Rock and Synth-Pop, with a special talent to shape his compositions with a remarkably expressive strength that we can perceive from the very start of the album to the second it ends. It is probably one of those albums where Lynne has imprinted his personality the most as a musician, as well as his own feelings as a person. Most remarkable is the ease with which he is so skilled in sculpting the sound ambiences that evoke impressive backgrounds and situations. The medieval touches, the classical and the ethnic shades introduced in certain passages, all of them are masterful. In its global consideration, the music does attract the attention of the listener easily indeed, and submerges us in the sound adventure of a magic theme the artist proposes us in this magnificient album.
VIRGINIA TAMAYO

http://www.lynnemusic.com

This album is also available through Groove Unlimited:

http://www.groove.nl

CYBERNIUM:
"LSD"
Neuronium Records
Michel Huygen and Pascal Languirand have united their talents in a duo that has the name of "Cybernium". Thus, the followers of electronic music are going to have the chance to enjoy their collaborative work besides what each one of them does solo. Their first album is titled "LSD", in a clear reference to the Psychedelia of the 1970s as well as the social and cultural convulsions that culminated with the development of Space Music. Expert connoisseurs of the electronic medium, both artists have succeeded in shaping a magnificient work, both in composition and in sounds. By combining slow passages with others of a rhythmic nature where the sequencer has a remarkable role, they take us through a journey full of magnificience and fascination. Unearthly atmospheres, melodies that whisper mysteries hued with romanticism, and rhythms with a strong taste of adventure, are the basic structures of this disc. Languirand and Huygen do not limit themselves to making an update of a fashion, but rather generate new ideas, fresh, although partially based on the spirit of the space music of the 1970s. In conclusion, we are before an album of a maximum interest not only for the fans of both artists, but also for those who enjoy Space Music in its different nuances.
JORGE MUNNSHE

http://www.neuronium.info

BRUNO SANFILIPPO:
"VISUALIA"
Neuronium Records
A shaper of intense music, Bruno Sanfilippo offers us, with "Visualia", a magnificient work full of personal ideas that reflect his artistic temperament as a composer near to the approaches of Space Ambient and New Instrumental Music. A luminous music, bright, not lacking in melancholy passages nor in mysterious atmospheres, where emotions flow in a spontaneous manner. Using complex architectures of harmonies wealthy in symphonism and majesty, as well as orchestrations of synthesizers that link the earthly with the heavenly, Bruno Sanfilippo succeeds in creating an impressive music, which captures the attention of the listener from the very beginning.
JORGE MUNNSHE

http://www.neuronium.info

BIRDSONGS OF THE MESOZOIC:
"THE IRIDIUM CONTROVERSY"
Cuneiform Records
Introducing elements from such genres as New Instrunmental Music, Jazz and Chamber Music into a frame that, on the whole, could be described as avantgarde Rock, the band Birdsongs of the Mesozoic succeeds in providing remarkable pieces that attract the listener's attention thanks to their peculiar focus and their wealth in shades with a life of their own.
ALEJANDRO HINOJOSA

http://www.cuneiformrecords.com

VARIOUS:
"EXONIQE"
Lightnet Music
The work done by Lightnet Music producing compilations like this one is a very commendable task because it offers us the wonderful opportunity to be able to listen to true jewels of electronic music developed by talented artists who not necessarily happen to be well known by a wide audience. The contents of this album is as follows: Alfonso Parra: "A Happy Trip". Javier Garcia: "Innerloops". Raul Gonzalo: "Secuencias ". Francisco Miguel Domenech: "Dreaming With Synthesis". Retrovision: "Helio 3". Blue Project Musica: "Total Eclipse". Aleix Riera: "Pink Rain". Vortexsoundtech: "Swords Over The Sky". Lightnet: "Spiral Waters". Jesus Calderon: "Inside The Maze". The styles vary depending on the authors, obviously, yet in all of them we can appreciate the bet they do for fresh music, free from any ties, which progresses through the most attractive areas of Synth-Pop, the most space-like aspects of New Instrumental Music, the most cybernetic of Techno and Space Sequencer Music. In conclusion, we find ourselves before an album that no fan of avantgarde electronic music should miss.
JORGE MUNNSHE

"SEQUENCES 28"
A new issue in the electronic music magazine "Sequences", which, as is usual, contains music in CD format. In this occasion, the sampler "Sequences 28" includes the following tracks: Van & Borner: "Shadow Dancing". Team Metlay: "Unbroken". Navigator: "Bliss". Mike Andrews: "Shoulder". Nebula Drone: "Most Colourful Bubbles of Mud". KevOz Mystic: "Voices (Chorus Delight MiX )". Jozef Skrzek: "Zacmienie Sfonca (excerpt)". E-Motion: "Awakening". Xeriod Entity: "Tethys". Emergence: "Blue Muse". Dave Gurr & Xan Alexander: "Stormbringer". The sampler comes with a CD single by Ozone Player that gathers several of the themes in the new album released by this innovative composer. The pages of the zine, written in English, include interviews to Frank van Bogaert, Harald Grosskopf, Steve Baltes, Mike Andrews, Seven Words, as well as numerous artícles, reviews and news.
EDGAR KOGLER

http://www.micksequences.demon.co.uk

DAVID PRITCHARD:
"VELOCITY"
Morphic Resonance Music
Using the guitars in his most melodic side, David Pritchard offers us a beautiful collection of pieces, rich in shades brimming with an exquisite sensitivity. This album will no doubt appeal to those who enjoy the New Instrumental Music of romantic airs and warm textures.
VIRGINIA TAMAYO

http://www.morphicresonancemusic.com

JORDI ISIERTE:
"EL TACTO DE LA LUZ"
Neuronium Records
Utilizing a rich instrumentation in an unusually warm way, Jordi Isierte evokes intense emotions in this work. With his compositions he reminds us of that which makes us human. Music of mystic airs, which invites us to look inside ourselves and reflect on vital questions of our existence.
VIRGINIA TAMAYO

http://www.neuronium.info

LA CREM:
"ICARIA"
RMMR Music / Plus Music / Neuronium Records
Brilliant in composition, impressive with orchestrations, the duo La Crem make New Instrumental Music neat to Atmospheric Pop, with excellent space and symphonic touches. In this album it turns out to be easy for the follower of these trends to find stimulating soundscapes, which also attract the attention because of the well developed use of instrumentation.
PASCUAL JURADO

http://www.neuronium.info

ERIC VAN DER HEIJDEN:
"COSMIC FLIGHT NO. 3"
Groove
Fresh melodies, rhythms brimming with energy and futuristic ambiences are the main master lines on which Eric van der Heijden has built the compositions that are included in this album. With a general focus of style mainly centered on a good combination of Synth-Pop and New Instrumental Music of symphonic airs, this CD will appeal to the usual followers of these trends.
EDGAR KOGLER

http://www.groove.nl/

VASCO MARTINS:
"SARVA MANGALAM"
Melodie
Expressing his musical ideas in a very personal manner, composer Vasco Martins develops an excellent collection of fresh, expressive pieces that can be labelled between New Instrumental Music and Ambient of a space texture. This album will undoubtedly attract the followers of these trends.
EDGAR KOGLER

NAVIGATOR:
"AIRWAVES"
Groove
The band Navigator have achieved, with "Airwaves", an album that will surely become a necessary reference point within their artistic trajectory, and also perhaps within the general panorama of electronic musical avantgarde related to Space Music. Starting from an approach structured around Space Sequencer Music, many innovative ideas follow one another in numerous passages, with some breaks in areas nearer to conventional Synth-Pop. Melodies of a great emotional strength and rhythmic architectures of a remarkable power are the main ingredients in most of the themes. The track called "Blizz" contains, in my opinion, some of the most impressive passages in the album.
JORGE MUNNSHE

http://www.groove.nl/

RON BOOTS:
"AREA MOVEMENT"
Groove
Starting from an approach near to Space Sequencer Music yet one based on some elements typical of Synth-Pop and of New Instrumental Music as well, Ron Boots achieves, with "Area Movement" an excellent work, full of sensitivity and intense emotions. The melodies have a remarkable role throughout the entire album, and usually have an air of epic romanticism not lacking in melancholy touches, or festive shades. The sequencers emphasize the emotional strength of the melodies, likewise contributing a vital portion of the melodic structure. The album also includes a version of the well-known theme "Dust in the wind" by Kansas.
EDGAR KOGLER

http://www.groove.nl/

GERT EMMENS:
"MOVEMENTS IN TWILIGHT SHADES"
Groove
The creativity as a composer that Gert Emmens has flows through several ambiences. Yet the one that, in my opinion turns out to be his best asset in front of other artists of Space Sequencer Music and of Synth-Pop is the fact that he gives free rein to his musical inspiration, without tying himself to pre-determined structures, nor to pre-conceived ideas on how a track related to these styles should sound. This is why his compositions happen to be so imaginative and wealthy in nuances. In "Movements in twilight shades", we find a new instance of this skill. The pieces, far from monolitic approaches, experience endless transformations, yet they never lose their identity nor do they become mere compilations of micro-themes. The structure is completed with very well developed melodies over rich synthesizer orchestrations, sequencers of a great expressiveness that, besides sustaining the rhythm also contribute melodic nuances and futuristic atmospheres with a certain industrial, nocturnal air.
EDGAR KOGLER

http://www.groove.nl

  





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