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RECORD POOL |
2006
REVIEWS
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| December 7, 2006 NEURONIUM: "SYNAPSIA" Anima Music Inspired by the tragedy of terminal illness, "Synapsia" is an album supporting the euthanasia. With his usual style, cosmic and romantic, Michel Huygen (Neuronium) has composed for this CD five wonderful pieces that invite to meditation. All of them are very melodic, full of crystaline textures. The music tends to be soft, with slow rhythms. Feelings play an important role in Huygen's music, so in this album he shapes in the form of music his personal impressions about terminal illness and euthanasia. He shows his mastery with the synthesizers at creating a work full of emotion and sonic magic, with a melancholy touch that reaches the heart. "Synapsia" is an album that transpires sensitivity from all its pores and will not leave us indifferent to it. EDGAR KOGLER http://www.animamusic.net DAVE SIMMONS: "THE DISINTEGRATION PRINCIPLE" Dave Simmons shows in this CD a wide range of stylistic directions as well as a good dose of imagination. There are pieces near to Folk, others with touches of Jazz, and several with elements typical of the Blues, even though all of them keep a fresh character near to the acoustic Ambient trends. Using the guitar as a solo instrument, the artist has created the music of an album that sprouts from the deepest regions of the soul. VIRGINIA TAMAYO http://www.davesimmons.net JOHN FLUKER: "THE SOUND OF PEACE" It's a Fluke Productions The fourteen pieces that John Fluker offers us in this work, can be labelled within the contemporary instrumental music. The album is very emotional, with romantic and also melancholy traits. The piano has a remarkable role, and it is perhaps here where Fluker's skills are most outstanding. The result cannot be more convincing: a work of an exquisite sensitivity and introspection. VIRGINIA TAMAYO http://www.johnfluker.com ELISE LEBEC: "POSSIBLE DREAMS" Lebec Entertainment This is a piano release of a romantic quality, with traits of Folk and some Classical touches, presided by melody. The music turns out to be relaxing, at times melancholic, at times blissful, with some mystery touches, with warm textures and soft colors. The artist take us step by step into a world full of sensitivity. All the compositions of this CD constitute a good sample of the Lebec's skills. HECTOR JORDAN http://www.eliselebec.com BRUNO SANFILIPPO: "InTRO" AD21 Music The music by Bruno Sanfilippo is an imaginative combination of elements typical of Space Ambient and others of an avantgarde character sometimes near to Contemporary Instrumental Music, whose result in this album is an impressive colection of electronic symphonic pieces, in an atmosphere typical of a soundtrack for an adventure movie. 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 to let imagination soar through unearthly worlds. EDGAR KOGLER http://www.bruno-sanfilippo.com VARIOUS: "ECHOES OF TUVALU" New Vibes Music This compilation includes fourteen themes with the common characteristic that they are beautiful melodic music mostly inspired by nature. The title of the CD comes from the islands in the South Pacific, where the sea level is rising by the global warming, threatening these paradises. The pieces that shape this album are: Gulan: "Early Morning". Bernard Chavonnet: "Amaebi". Thomas Bakas: "Madrecita". Australis: "Conciliation". Mild: "Karlsplatz Square". Amilcar: "Forgotten Islands". Australis: "The Sound of Hope". Trevor Stewart: "Grace". Jose Gonzalez: "Fight of Jimmy Angel". Matt Lorentz: "Someone Who Cared". Aorphia: "Right of Passage". Gulan: "Sunrise". Jon Sebastian: "Mysty Mountain". Gabriel Garcia: "Yvonne's Waltz". HECTOR JORDAN http://www.newvibesmedia.com DAVID WRIGHT: "THE TENTH PLANET" AD Music No doubt this CD will appeal to the fans of David Wright's music as well as the lovers of Space Music in general. "The Tenth Planet" is a work within the frame of Space Music, full of poetry and beauty, which leads the listener to a world of wondrous soundscapes by means of the masterful use of synthesizers and sequencers. The melodies are very symphonic, often with spectacular orchestrations. The rhythms are sequencer-based mostly, thus resulting into complex and powerful ones. The structure of the music also consists of dense, atmospheric environments, and sound effects that come and go. EDGAR KOGLER http://www.admusiconline.com FONTAIN'S M.U.S.E.: "MYSTIC KISS" This is a daring, fresh release by the duo Fontain's M.U.S.E., merging World Music with Pop and Folk influences. Fontain Riddle and Farhan Khan prove that there are no stylistic barriers for creativity, and they contribute their musical skills to achieve a fresh, emotive sonic journey. The expressivity that Fontain Riddle achieves with her voice is remarkable indeed. DEREK DOARN http://www.fontainsmuse.com JEFFREY MICHAEL: "AWAKENING" Fireheart Music In this album, Jeffrey Michael has carried out a work full of symphonism and strength. Integrated in the most widely accepted trend of the Contemporary Instrumental Music, his compositions are nevertheless very personal. Through 16 pieces with a great predominance on the part of the piano as a soloist instrument, the artist creates a relaxed, intimate atmosphere, with his romantic music. One of the most emotional, best achieved compositions is "Phantom of the Mind". SARAH TOMBLIN http://www.fireheartmusic.com GARY STADLER: "FAIRY LULLABIES" Sequoia Records In "Fairy Lullabies", 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 air. Listening to this album is travelling throughout musical tales whose landscapes are set in the world of fairies and other lands of a supernatural character. The music is bright, full of emotions. One of the most impressive pieces in the album is, in my opinion, "Garden Lullaby". SARAH TOMBLIN http://www.sequoiarecords.com VARIOUS: "YOGA MOODS" Sequoia Records Although the styles of the different compositions are quite varied, this compilation tends towards the romantic side of Contemporary Instrumental Music and approaches soft Ambient. The pieces here gathered are: "Aureole" by Jens Gad. "Swan" by Althea W. "Staraja Ladoga" by Achillea. "Cape Porcupine" by Achillea. "Odin's Hill" by Achillea. "Casino Lounge" by Peter Mergener. In For The Night (Buddha Edit)" by The Moontrane Conductors. "The Orbiting Suns" by Jens Gad. "Bhajya Sahita" by Hands Upon Black Earth. "Silver Sands" by Jens Gad. Les Eaux Verts" by Jens Gad. "Chanson Pour Une Femme" by Althea W. "Zen Garden, Part 1 (Savasana Edit)" by David & Steve Gordon. An album that no doubt deserves an attentive listening. PASCUAL JURADO http://www.sequoiarecords.com VARIOUS: "BUDDHA LOUNGE 5" Sequoia Records "Buddha Lounge 5" is an album with remarkable and varied stylistic textures that mix World Music with Atmospheric Pop. The contents of the CD is as follows: "El Momento" by Jens Gaad. "The Seeress Prophecy (Daydreaming)" by Achillea. "Deep Blue" by Tya. "Asmar Kahiel Elein" by Nasser Kilada. "The Star & The Snake" by Hands Upon Black Earth. Her Infinte Variety (club mix)" by Artemisia. "Shining" by Mtc. "Rain In The Sun" by David Gordon. "Tout Le Monde Reve" by Tau. "Tulasi Maharani" by Jaya Lakshmi. "Dream Body" by The Gordon Brothers. Between Tomorrow" by Opera -To- Relax. This is a release that will surely be liked by a wide range of listeners. DEREK DOARN http://www.sequoiarecords.com EMPTY CAGE QUARTET: "HELLO THE DAMAGE! pfMENTUM The style of this double CD is within Avantgarde Jazz, although it also has New Music traits represented by the most experimental atmospheres. Some passages are like urban folk music of the future. With this band, one must expect the unexpected. The sonic adventures of these four musicians are surprising. VICENTE GISPERT http://www.pfmentum.com JEFF KAISER / TOM McNALLEY: "ZUGZWANG" pfMENTUM In this daring release, Kaiser and McNalley utilize electronics, trumpet and electric guitar with great imagination, succeeding in creating unconventional sonic architectures. The artists build a bizarre world, with eerie natural landscapes, as well as industrial zones of anguish, madness and darkness. DOMINIQUE CHEVANT http://www.pfmentum.com |
| September 27, 2006 GERT EMMENS: "ELEKTRA" This is a legendary work, where the composer proved his great imagination. He developed fresh, imaginative ideas, preferably aimed at Space Music. From the precise instant of the beginning of the album, we witness a display of creative, sonic energy of a high degree. Ethereal sounds, dramatic melodies and gliding sequences, envelop one by one all the themes of the album. The music flows in a stream of unearthly soundscapes, communicating a wide range of feelings and emotions. In a few words, this is one of the recordings that takes Space Music to its highest reaches. EDGAR KOGLER http://home.zonnet.nl/gert.emmens/ GERT EMMENS: "ASTEROIDS" After the artistic success of "Elektra", Emmens released this wonderful album. "Asteroids" can be defined as pure Space Sequencer Music, with warm melodies that come and go, as well as impressive sequencer rhythms. The album is one of the most extraordinary releases in his career given the big strength of the themes it contains. The grandiosity of the music and its symphonism make of the listening of this album a complete experience. In a few words, this is a work that will not leave us indifferent to it. EDGAR KOGLER http://home.zonnet.nl/gert.emmens/ MARSHALL STYLER: "BLUEFIELDS" Eyes & Stars Music In "Bluefields", Marshall Styler offers us a rich range of very melodic themes, very pleasant to listen to. The Music, as can be appreciated in this album, is the artistic expression of his life. "Bluefields" is an album charged with good sonic vibrations, lively in some moments, calm and simple in others, yet always full of nuances that cannot leave anyone indifferent. The music turns out to be emotional, at times melancholic, at times blissful, with some mystery touches, with warm textures and soft colors. HECTOR JORDAN http://www.marshallstyler.com MARSHALL STYLER: "MOCKINGBIRD STATION" Eyes & Stars Music Marshall Styler is one of those artists that know how to take us into musical landscapes full of melodic harmony. Wisely combining the Pop roots of his musical career with his most symphonic side and the possibilities of electronics, he transports us to dreamy, sensual worlds. The fusion achieved between the piano and the synthesizers is complete.The album is highly reccommended for those who love the most romantic side of contemporary instrumental music. A true delight for the ears from the first to the last theme. HECTOR JORDAN http://www.marshallstyler.com MARSHALL STYLER: "RED RIVER CROSSING" Eyes & Stars Music Marshall Styler, for whom art is perhaps what gives meaning to his life, never ceases to amaze us with his narrative music that transmits to the audience real as well as imaginary stories. These stories in a musical form are comparable to movie soundtracks, and stimulate the imagination of the listener to re-create the facts and sceneries that the music suggests. "Red River Crossing" is a precious collection of melodic instrumental pieces played with piano and electronic keyboards. All the compositions are dominated by a romantic character, with rich orchestrations and symphonic elements. In short, this is contemporany instrumental music of the best quality. VIRGINIA TAMAYO http://www.marshallstyler.com MARSHALL STYLER: "SILENT NIGHT" Eyes & Stars Music This album of Marshall Styler is a series of instrumental versions of 14 well known Christmas carols, performed with the personal style of the artist. The compositions here gathered are: "Silent Night", "God Res Ye Merry Gentlemen", "Hark the Herald Angels Sing", "We Three Kings", "Noel", "Little Town of Bethlehem", "What Child Is This", "Come All Ye Faithful", "Deck The Halls", "It Came Upon A Midnight Clear", "Little Drummer Boy", Away In A Manger", "O Holy Night", "Joy To The World". The rich roots of those traditional themes are masterly fused to the personal contributions by Marshall. VIRGINIA TAMAYO http://www.marshallstyler.com MARSHALL STYLER: "JERICHO" Eyes & Stars Music "Jericho" can be defined as some sort of personal diary in a musical format corresponding to the years 2000, 2001 and 2002, the time when the artist composed and recorded the album, and a very difficult period in his life. The artist offers us his mastery at creating a work full of beauty and romanticism, with themes that in some occasions tend to be lively, while in other instances they have a clear melancholic air. A general trait of the album is the fact that the music happens to be very intense, full of emotions. "Jericho" is, no doubt, a work that cannot leave any listener unconcerned. PASCUAL JURADO http://www.marshallstyler.com MARSHALL STYLER: "THE TWILIGHT CONCERTOS" Eyes & Stars Music "The Twilight Concertos" has marked the beginning of a new stage for the artist, who thus has emerged from a dark period in his life. This is an album that transpires sensitivity from all its pores. Well wrapped into convincing arrangements and a perfect sonority, Marshall offers us in this occasion 10 themes, of a tremendously intimate nature, full of romantic melodies, typical of his style. They are pieces of a complex conception, yet at the same time they are easy to listen to. Of an impeccable make, this is a release that will surely be liked by a wide range of listeners. EDUARDO FONTANA http://www.marshallstyler.com ARC: "ARCTURUS" DiN The impressive music that ARC (Ian Boddy & Mark Shreeve) performed at the Hampshire Jam 3 Festival on October 23, 2004, is now available in this CD. This is a magnificient release of a Space style, with powerful sequencers and analogic sounds. The three compositions included in the album have a vertiginous, floating quality. They are not abstract, but they have epic, majestic melodies instead, sometimes somewhat romantic in nature. The structure of the work is very rhythmic. The rhythms even sustain the melodies, in the shape of hypnotic sequences that keep oscillating around a determined basis. There also are moments of a greater introspection, perhaps near to meditation, together with other passages of a dark experimentation, yet always keeping to the most melodic aspects of the musicians. EDGAR KOGLER http://www.DiN.org.uk BODDY / WOSTHEINRICH: "MOIRE" DiN "Moire" is an amazing collection of imaginative electronic voyages shaped in ten pieces. The style of the release flows along different avantgarde aspects of Techno, Industrial and Trance. There also are elements of Dark Ambient, mostly reflected in the atmospheres. The music is basically upbeat, with cybernetic rhythms, electronic percussion, and surrealist environments. The sonic and rhythmic constructions created by Ian Boddy and Bernhard Wostheinrich turn out to be rather astonishing indeed, as well as unpredictable enough. All the pieces have a pleasant freshness. The most impressive composition in the album is, in my opinion, "Accretion", of a futuristic air and a great strength. EDGAR KOGLER http://www.DiN.org.uk ROBERT RICH & IAN BODDY: "LITHOSPHERE" DiN "Lithosphere" is a collaboration between Robert Rich and Ian Boddy in which both explore unconventional techniques in the production of diverse sonic structures. The global style of this work can be labelled within Dark Ambient. The ten compositions show a strong orientation towards the telluric, obscure and dreamy environments. The instrumentation and the sonic effects maintain a disquieting tone throughtout the album. The music turns out to be oneiric, with subterranean sounds, stony textures and mysterious architectures. EDGAR KOGLER http://www.DiN.org.uk TETSU INOE: "YOLO" DiN "Yolo" is an album with remarkable and varied sonic textures that mix the space weightlessness with industrial coldness, or the meditative airs with electronic experimentation. More than specific melodies in the traditional sense, there are chords and melodic atmospheres that come and go, thus contributing to weaving an unreal environment. The result is an impressive voyage through hypnotic sonic worlds, that appear to have been taken out of surrealist dreams. EDGAR KOGLER http://www.DiN.org.uk J. M. CIRIA: "MOBILIS IN MOBILI" At-Mooss Records To compose the music in this album, the artist was inspired by "20 000 Leagues Under the Sea", Jules Verne’s famous novel. The CD is an impressive voyage through the adventures of Captain Nemo. In an admirable balance between almost classical symphonism and Space Synth Pop, the composer creates a music underlined with strong emotions and epic ambiences. The music is very intense, with romantic, melancholic and also solemn traits. The melodies are ever present in all the album, often with dramatic orchestrations, and appear to grow little by little, in a continuous crescendo that reaches superb heights. The rhythms tend to be based mostly on powerful sequencers. Although the artist did not plan "Mobilis in mobili" as a dark work, there is no lack of mysterious passages, where we can, for instance, imagine we are descending into the impenetrable darkness of the abyssal depths. In short, this is contemporany instrumental music of the best quality. EDGAR KOGLER http://www.at-mooss.com JOSEPH LOIBANT: "REITER / ACTION" (Limited edition) (CDR + DVD-R 5.1) At-Mooss Records This CD gathers, in a very much expected release by Joseph Loibant's fans, some of his first unreleased works, suites of a Space Sequencer Music style, originally recorded in the analogic era. Now, this music has been digitally mastering by Loibant at the At-Mooss Studios. This is a record with interesting electronic textures, powerful sequences and even passages entirely devoted to experimentation with sounds. The structure of the music also consists of difused lively melodies that come and go, oscilating environments that surround these melodies, and many sound effects that in some passages are an important part of the ambiance. EDGAR KOGLER http://www.at-mooss.com JOSEPH LOIBANT: "MACH 1" (Limited edition) (CDR + DVD-R 5.1) At-Mooss Records Like the title suggests, the topic that has inspired the artist to compose this music is the quest for Mach 1 speed and the development of the Bell X-1 aircraft in the 1940s, the story of how the Sound Barrier was broken. Therefore, the whole release shows an obvious aeronautic, adventurous character. For instance, it is full of sounds of jet engines. The music unites Loibant's SynthPop with aerial textures and a general approach in accordance with the topic that inspired it. Almost all the music is very dynamic, with powerful rhythms, although there also are slow parts. The rhythm is strongly based on electronic drums and sequencers. It is agile, dynamic, sometimes near to Trance Music and in other themes it is more related to the Space Sequencer Music. There are dark, mysterious passages. Others turn out to be epic, majestic. EDGAR KOGLER http://www.at-mooss.com JOSEPH LOIBANT: "CODE 01-07" (Limited edition) (CDR + DVD-R 5.1) At-Mooss Records Joseph Loibant presents many fresh musical ideas in this album, under a general focus approaching SynthPop. Although several of the pieces have rather fast rhythms, others are more relaxed in nature. Certain Ambient traits appear in the sonic atmospheres that constitute the electronic background. Also there are some traits from Jazz, Tecno and other varied elements that contribute to enrich these pieces. The instruments used here range from FM synthesizers to the analogic ones. The result is a richly textured sound. The percussion also has an important role, supported by the sequencers. EDGAR KOGLER http://www.at-mooss.com FABRIZIO SELLI: "THE MAGIC ROOM" 4Puzzle Fabrizio Selli offers in this album a beautiful collection of warm melodic compositions, very much in the Contemporany Instrumental Music genre, yet also near to soft Jazz-Pop. In general, the music is romantic, and exempt from great symphonisms and fireworks that would contribute nothing to the conception of the work. The piano has a very important protagonism throughout the entire album. In a word, this is a very pleasant work to listen to. HECTOR JORDAN http://www.fabrizioselli.com NICK DAVIS: "CANDESCENCE" "Candescence" is a true example of dedication. Beautiful melodies, perfectly intertwined, both with respect to the music and the instruments, follow one another without ups and downs, in an album that the followers of Classical and Contemporany Instrumental Music will no doubt appreciate. The piano has a remarkable role, and it is perhaps here where Nick's skills are most outstanding. The music is, on the whole, soft, and with clear romantic traits. Sometimes it becomes festive, and at other times melancholy. HECTOR JORDAN http://www.nickdavismusic.com JULIA CLAIRE & CARLES REIG: "MANTRA CHILL OUT" OHM Spirit Sound This album by Julia Claire and Carles Reig consists in ten themes whose beautiful melodies flow between Atmospheric Pop and New Age Music. All the compositions maintain a great conceptual uniformity and in them we will find many passages full of sensitivity and romanticism. The heavenly vocals by Julia provide the album with a halo of almost magical spirituality. One of the most emotional, best achieved themes is "Vidas Plateadas". An album that no doubt deserves an attentive listening. HECTOR JORDAN http://www.ohmm.com SIRISAT & CARLES REIG: "CELESTIAL" OHM Spirit Sound The crystaline voice of Sirisat (Julia Claire) is the high point of a work that will awake the enthusiasm of the followers of the best Atmospheric Pop. The seven themes are slow, though not static, with percussive rhythms, and romantic melodies. The use of synthesizers enhances the sensual atmospheres that appear in many of the compositions. The music is warm, full of sweetness. HECTOR JORDAN http://www.ohmm.com NATASCHA HAGEN & CARLES REIG: "MYSTIC PROJECT CELTIC" OHM Spirit Sound Sensibility and warmth would perhaps be the most adequate words to refer to this work. If to Natascha's beautiful voice we join a handful of sweet, sensual melodies, we will get as a result this wonderful album, where the keyboards and the fine arrangements have a fundamental presence. The music, near to Celtic Music and Atmospheric Pop, has an intense romantic air. On the whole, this album has a great emotional load. HECTOR JORDAN http://www.ohmm.com TEMPUSTRY: "LE VOYAGE DU TEMPS" The music by Tempustry joins elements from SynthPop, Space Music, Techno and some Progressive Rock touches. As a general rule, the compositions possess rather strong rhythms, even if there are some passages of a more deliberate nature. The rhythms are usually based on the drums, though in some cases the sequencers play a leading role. The melody is an important element in all the pieces. 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. In a few words, "Le Voyage du Temps" is a work full of symphonism and strength. ALEJANDRO HINOJOSA http://www.timevoyagemusic.com JAIYA: "FIREDANCE" Jaiya with this album offer us a sample of what they are capable of doing. "Firedance" is a very pleasant, melodic and fresh album. Part of the music has been composed by Lael Whitehead, Kim Darwin and Miranda Brown, and part has a traditional origin, with arrangements by Miranda Brown and Lael Whitehead. The basic style includes Celtic and Folk traits, with some touches of World Music and Jazz. The final result is very good. MARCELLA CIRIGNOLA http://www.jaiya.ca JAIYA: "BELTANE" "Beltane" is a beautiful romantic album, with a warm Celtic air and some traits of Folk, presided by melody. It consists of ten compositions. All of them have been composed by Lael Whitehead, Miranda Brown and Kim Darwin, except for "Summer is A Comin'In", by an anonymous artist (13th C.), arranged by Miranda Brown. The unique sound of Jaiya is a blend of Celtic harp, jazz accordion, guitar, whistle, drums and two female voices in harmony. MARCELLA CIRIGNOLA http://www.jaiya.ca RICHARD BONE: "VESPERIA" Quirkworks Laboratory Discs "Vesperia" is a nice work within the frame of New Age or meditative electronic Ambient, full of poetry and beauty, which leads the listener to a world of wondrous soundscapes by means of the masterful use of synthesizers. All the themes have something of the magic, the spiritual. The successive sonic textures, at the keyboards, guide us step by step through a celestial terrain. In a few words, "Vesperia" is a flight of imagination to the realms of Fantasy. VIRGINIA TAMAYO http://www.richardbone.com RENE VAN DER WOUDEN: "PRO SEQUENTIA" René van der Wouden has a very personal style. His music can be defined as Space melodic, although it also enters Classical symphonism and Pop sometimes. "Pro Sequentia" is an impressive work of warm melodies and magical atmospheres, where the less abstract elements of Space Music merge with those more ethereal ones from Contemporany Instrumental Music. Rhythm and melody become fused into complex constructions, where the sequencers shape the melodies. Also there are slow passages, where floating environments predominate.This is no doubt a wonderful album, accompanied by a amazing cover. EDGAR KOGLER http://www.renevanderwouden.net CODE INDIGO: "CHILL" AD Music "Chill" is an aerial adventure throughout 76 suggestive minutes. During the 15 themes that constitute this release, we can hear traits from styles like Synth-Pop, Symphonic Rock, Space and Contemporany Instrumental Music. Touches of Mysterious Ambient are also present. The music is very melodic, with romantic airs and crystaline environments. All the compositions transpire serenity and harmony from each one of their notes. In actual fact, this is a magnificient work. EDGAR KOGLER http://www.admusiconline.com ANNE TRENNING: "ALL ONE WORLD" Shadetree Records Excellent album this one by Anne Trenning. The 12 compositions in it included have a great strength and an emotional beauty. All the pieces are romantic, with Celtic touches and others typical of Classical Music. Part of the music is merry, whereas other themes have a certain melancoly touch. The music reaches deep inside when listened to with due attention. Perhaps the most remarkable theme is "All One World" (which gives its title to the album), in which the melodic grandeur of Anne Trenning is strongly present. HECTOR JORDAN http://www.annetrenning.com NARDI: "NOUVEAU" Nardi delights all the lovers of soft music. The 11 compositions included in this album have a romantic melodic character. The music presents symphonic elements as well as some touches of Jazz. Sometimes it becomes festive, and at other times melancholy. The melodies usually are emotive, sensual. One of the best achieved compositions is "Para siempre". No doubt, this is a warm album near to the heart and the feelings. VIRGINIA TAMAYO http://awnardimusic.com NARDI: "NOUVEAU TWO - MORNING, NOON, NIGHT" "Nouveau Two" has a well defined style that no doubt will awake the enthusiasm of the followers of the best Romantic Contemporany Instrumental Music. Touches of soft Pop and Classical Music are also present, and even come to have a leading role in different parts of the release. Likewise, certain traits of Jazz and World Music can be detected in some moments. A certain nostalgic air is present in most of the themes, although there are others with merry, festive passages. Nardi is an artist with a specially melodic sensitivity. This special magnetism of his music can be appreciated above all in two themes: "Once in a Lifetime" and "Mother Earth". VIRGINIA TAMAYO http://awnardimusic.com MIDNIGHT SYNDICATE: "OUT OF THE DARKNESS, RETROSPECTIVE 1994-1999" Linfaldia Records / Entity Productions This wonderful album features re-recorded and re-mastered pieces from Midnight Syndicate's "Midnight Syndicate", "Born of the Night", and "Realm of Shadows", as well as 4 previously unreleased tracks. Edward Douglas and Gavin Goszka open us the doors to gloomy landscapes. They adopt a formal structure framed within the genre of gothic horror, combining enigmatic melodies of great strength, with dark environments, building an impressive sonic adventure. "Out of the Darkness" is on that very suggestive edge that separates the fear for the unknown from the fascination to explore intangible worlds, and recreates this kind of feelings of mystery that are inseparably intertwined with the perception of beauty. EDUARDO FONTANA http://www.midnightsyndicate.com JENS GAD: "LE SPA SONIQUE" Prudence / BSC Music The music by Jens Gad (co-producer of Enigma) is a fresh combination of elements typical of Atmospheric Pop and others of a Chill Out character, whose result is a pleasant colection of pieces with a romantic air. Most noteworthy are the sensual melodies, the ethereal, dreamy atmospheres, and the exquisite voices of Luisa Fernandez and Helene Horlyck. In a few words, a very attractive work, that will enthusiasm the aficionados to Atmospheric Pop. ALEJANDRO HINOJOSA http://www.bscmusic.com DAVID & STEVE GORDON: "SHAMAN'S VISION JOURNEY" Prudence / BSC Music Brothers David and Steve Gordon express their mystic emotions in this album, whose title refers to the themes they have drawn their inspiration from. The result is a meditative album, wrapped in the sounds of nature, ideal to let imagination soar through the beauty of the Earth. The sweet, slow rhythms of the exotic percussive instruments are combined with soft melodies that evoke the peace of green grasslands. HECTOR JORDAN http://www.bscmusic.com NATTEFROST: "ABSORBED IN DREAMS AND YEARNING" Groove Unlimited This is an attractive work, mainly because of the amount of concepts that the artist includes in his sonic and musical palette. The whole album has a strong Space style, not only due to the use of synthesizers, but also because of the structure of the compositions itself. The melodies usually are warm, lively, in an atmosphere typical of a soundtrack for an adventure movie. The complex and impressive rhythms are sequencer-based mostly. A great amount of imagination pervades the entire album. EDGAR KOGLER http://www.groove.nl CINEPLEXX: "RESTAR" Testing Ground Cineplexx is an artist with a powerful imagination, whose music goes beyond the conventional, surpassing even the frontiers of many styles that already are avantgarde by themselves. These are 9 suggestive themes, full of industrial ambiences, oneiric melodies and cybernetic rhythms, that give a very special atmosphere to the entire work. No doubt, this is an interesting album, highly reccommended to those who seek something more on the line of current electronic music. EDGAR KOGLER http://www.testinground.com DANIEL LENTZ: "ON THE LEOPARD ALTAR" Cold Blue Music In this interesting work, Daniel Lentz approaches the Minimalist Music, Deep Ambient and melodic romanticism. The rhythmic part is Minimalist in style, whereas the melodies fuse romanticism with mysterious ambiences. On this common basis, each one of the themes gets near one of the styles mentioned before. For example, "Is It Love" and "Wolf Is Dead..." are the most minimalist pieces, owing a good deal of their character to the rhythms. "Lascaux" is a clear example of Deep Ambient. VALERIANO GUIOL http://www.coldbluemusic.com IONA: "LIVE IN LONDON" (2DVD) Open Sky Records This double DVD contains the concert that the band Iona gave at the University of London on a rainy November night in 2004. Filmed in front of an enthusiastic audience, here we have many of the band's classic tracks as well as a glimpse of their new studio album "The Circling Hour". The disk 1 (main programme) contains: "Woven Cord", "Wave after Wave", "Inside my Heart", "Wind off the Lake", "A Dhia Ghleigil (Angel of God)", "Factory of Magnificent Souls", "Encircling", "Strenght", "Treasure", "Castlerigg / Reels", "Irish Day", "Bi-Se I mo Shuil Part 2", "Flight of the Wild Gose", "Murlough Bay". The disk 2 (special features) contains: Acoustic set: "Chi-Rho", "Greenfields of Canada", "Edge of the World", "Jigs (Handsome Young Maidens 7 Trip to Athlone)", "Today". Interviews: Joanne, Dave, Troy, Frank, Phil. This double DVD is a good opportunity to witness the great power that Iona have when performing live. A perfect mix between tradition and modernity, with Rock, Folk, Progressive, Ethnic and Ambient elements. No doubt we are before a production that will delight the followers of the band Iona, as well as the lovers of those styles in general. ALEJANDRO HINOJOSA http://www.iona.uk.com JERI-MAE G. ASTOLFI: "MELANGE, NEW MUSIC FOR PIANO" Capstone Records Jeri-Mae G. Astolfi, a versatile, expert pianist, plays in this album a selection of pieces of New Music for piano. In these works, the structure of the music is very complex, and it is perhaps here where her skills are most outstanding. The contents of this CD is as follows: Andrián Pertout: "Chant d'aumentation". John Blair: "Parallax". Edward Knight: "Illusions". Pui-shan Cheung: "Lotus Pond". Paul Dickinson: "Suite for piano". John C. Ross: Prelude and Caprice". Daniel Adams: "Between Stillnesss and Motion". Craig Weston: "...into all crevices of my world". Arthur Gottschalk: "Fakebook I". Phillip Schroeder: "Wrap it Up". VALERIANO GUIOL http://www.capstonerecords.org AURAL NIGHT: "VOYAGE" The electronic music contained in this album by Aural Night has a very personal, innovative style. Some of the pieces possess an innovative cosmic character, others approach Contemporany Instrumental Music, but no known label could be clearly applied to it. The artist displays his wide musical vision, not limited by the fashions of the moment or the imitative patterns of the musical stars. The music is very original and varied, without having to make an intensive use of experimentation with sounds. Aural Night builds melodic themes of a great beauty and mystery. In conclusion, "Voyage" is a wonderful work of electronic music. EDGAR KOGLER http://www.auralnight.com RON BOOTS: "ACOUSTIC SHADOWS" Groove Unlimited Ron Boots offers us an album born from the deepest regions in his heart. Inspired by the drama of war, he portrays in his music some of the feelings that several of the most widely known wars in the nineteenth and twentieth centiries awaken in him. More than reflecting the horror and death inherent to all wars, something that, on the other hand, is utterly obvious in itself, the composer intends to, and succeeds in, transmitting the human side of the non-professional combatant who has been drafted to the battlefield out of necessity. He pays homage to the Unknown Soldier, and therefore to the soldier giving his life on the battlefront, or the soldier who returns, forever marked with physical or spiritual injuries. The music, electronic, is created with emotional melodies and powerful sequencer rhythms. The focus is mostly melancholy, although never sinking into despair, and does not lack an epic element as well as a sparkle of hope in the horizon. EDGAR KOGLER http://www.groove.nl REMY: "SENSE" AKH Records / Groove Unlimited Impressive ambiences completely alien to everyday experience, melodies that narrate fascinating experiences, sequencer rhythms that immerse us into spectacular adventures, these are the three ingredients in this work. Remy is a composer with a special ability to transmit emotions with his music. Listening to the different pieces in the album we can have the feeling that we are living decisive events of the kind that mark a "before" and an "after" in the life of a person. EDGAR KOGLER http://www.groove.nl HEMISPHERE: "DESTINATION INFINITY" Groove Unlimited The brand of Space Music created by Hemisphere in this CD is characterised by a clear protagonism of melodies. These spread throughout different registers, ranging from the stately to the melancholy, with marked romantic airs in several passages, as well as some mysterious touches. The dense orchestrations increase the strength of the compositions. The use of sequencers is also wise, as it provides the music with a greater personality. EDGAR KOGLER http://www.groove.nl PAUL ELLIS: "THE INFINITE ROOM" Groove Unlimited Paul Ellis has succeeded in achieving an impressive sound adventure in this release, whose roots are within deep Ambient as well as in the Space Sequencer Music. The artist wisely measures rhythm, melody and atmospheres, with an architecture rich in dense orchestrations, even if not lacking in passages dominated by soloist sounds or turbulent environments, The album displays the artistic creativity that Ellis has, as well as his skills in the use of synthesizers. EDGAR KOGLER http://www.groove.nl CREATE: "BIOSPHERICAL IMAGERY" Groove Unlimited A music full of strong emotions, it exudes oniric melodies, energetic sequences and unearthly ambiences. Starting from Space Sequencer music and Ambient, Create offers us the particular vision he has of the most transcendental questions concerning the Human Being. This is an intense album which will not leave the followers of this kind of music indifferent. EDGAR KOGLER http://www.groove.nl JOHAN TIMMAN: "TRIP INTO THE BODY" Groove Unlimited The music made by Johan Timman in this album reveals an artist with a great artistic experience and personality, capable of transmitting intense, often impressive emotions.His creative drive is essentially based on the melodies, which he masterfully develops. The arrangements and in general the staging of each theme strengthen the original, singular nature of this work. Timman has a very personal style. He uses the stylistic resources typical of Space Music, Synth-Pop, Progressive Rock and even Classical Music as his building bricks, but he shapes them all with the precision of a goldsmith, making them fit structures diverging from the most typical cliches in these kinds of musics. EDGAR KOGLER http://www.groove.nl MIRI HUNTER HARUACH: "THE WAYS OF LOVE" Project Sheba Music Miri Hunter Haruach breaks with many conventionalisms related to World Music and Folk with admirable ease, only taking those elements truly motivating her, and shaping them as the pillars on top of which he will build a very personal style, generous in warm melodies as well as rhythms of a great vitality. In the nine tracks of this album we also find plenty of American folk influences, together with Hebrew, Afro-American and Gospel shades. The beautiful voice of the singer and composer is remarkable in many passages. MARCELLA CIRIGNOLA http://www.projectsheba.com CHAS SMITH: "DESCENT" Cold Blue Music In this album, Chas Smith develops an abstract kind of Ambient, dense, brimming with aerial dreamings. When listening to this music, it is easy for the listener to imagine he is flying over the clouds or free-falling through them. The timbric architectures and the tone structures are well combined and constitute a basic ingredient of the Space Music character of the CD. The most daring track probably is "Endless Mardi Gras". EDGAR KOGLER http://www.coldbluemusic.com PHILLIP SCHROEDER: "MOVE IN THE CHANGING LIGHT" Innova Recordings Phillip Schroeder breaks many conventions related to Chamber Music and to the most symphonic side of Ambient, and takes those elements truly motivating him, which he then shapes as pillars on which he builds a very personal style, generous in complex architectures as well as oniric atmospheres. EDUARDO FONTANA http://www.innova.mu ELLEN BURR: "DUOS" pfMENTUM The way in which flutist Ellen Burr shapes her musical creativity is remarkably personal in several aspects. The basic coordinates on which she builds her work are found in those regions related to experimental music. The artist allows her imagination to sail in complete freedom here, developing architectures mostly dominated by wind instruments, where the use of the bass and the effects of sound collage also stand out. Improvisation has likewise a relevant role in the album. Together with Burr, musicians Steuart Liebig, Sara Schoenbeck, Andrew Pask and Jeannette Kangas have collaborated as well. EDUARDO FONTANA http://www.pfmentum.com SCOTT FRASER & BRUCE FRIEDMAN: "LANDSCAPE WITH FIGURE" pfMENTUM Scott Fraser, who has been writing electro-acoustic music since 1972, and trumpetist Bruce Friedman, whose versatility is remarkable, join their talents in an album cropping mostly from improvisation. The music, of an experimental nature, albeit harmonious, varies amongst structures typical of Contemporary Music, with others nearer to deep Ambient.In some tracks Fraser uses the electric guitar with reverb effects so that it sounds with sharp chords, organ-style, thus contributing a great part of the ghostly landscape on which Friedman outlines his enigmatic melodies by means of the trumpet. EDUARDO FONTANA http://www.pfmentum.com STEUART LIEBIG / THE MENTONES: "NOWHERE CALLING" pfMENTUM The personal footprint that Steuart Liebig and The Mentones leave in the brand of avantgarde Jazz they create places them as artists who are clearly moved by the more personal side of their ideas. Spontaneous, yet with a well shaped structure, their music attracts the attention of the listeners from the first to the last track in the album. VICENTE GISPERT http://www.pfmentum.com BRASSUM: "LIVE" pfMENTUM The band Brassum leave their mark in Experimental Jazz, as can be appreciated with their work in this album. Their approach to this trend is joined with a remarkable ease in the development of impressive musical structures, capable of attacting the listeners' attention since the first track in it. It is because of this that the spontaneous focus Brassum provide, free from any ties, is perceptible throughout each one of the seven compositions that constitute "Live". VICENTE GISPERT http://www.pfmentum.com RICH WEST: "HEAVENLY BREAKFAST" pfMENTUM The music in this album flows along the channels of avant garde Jazz with an approach capable of attracting the attention of the usual followers of this trend. This album also has enough merits to earn a place in the collections of the fans of other alternative streams, thanks to the daring sound architecture the artist puts forward in each one of his tracks. VICENTE GISPERT http://www.pfmentum.com HERMES ORCHESTRA: "LIVE" While combining traits of New Instrumental Music, Classical Music, melodic Pop and Folk, Dan Hermes weaves a collection of pieces that stand out with their freshness. The music benefits from the personal focus of the artist, which allows us to experience deep feelings carved throughout the entire album. Among the musicians of the Hermes Orchestra we can find David Patterson (guitar), Molly Eckman (flute), Rob Mitzner (drums), Joel Cohen (cello), Ruth Mendelson (bass) and Christine Hatch (clarinet). PASCUAL JURADO http://www.hermesorchestra.com MANOEL MACIA: "CIELO PROFUNDO" Those who enjoy melodic guitar music will no doubt be delighted with this magnificient album. Following the approaches typical of New Instrumental Music, yet with remarkable personal comtributions, Manoel Macia createa a collection of musical jewels, brimming with warmth. The music is quite eclectic, although it follows the basic approach here outlined, and flows along various registers, from festive airs to ritual quests, together with melancholy and adventure airs. VIRGINIA TAMAYO YOSHIDA BROTHERS: "III" Domo Records With a great imagination and spontaneity, brothers Ryoichiro and Kenichi Yoshida have recorded a remarkable collection of tracks. What surprises more in their music is the ease with which they combine musical and rhythmic instrumental patterns from genres apparently so irreconciliable as traditional Japanese Music and Rock. It is true that other artists have united both genres in their albums, yet in several cases the result loses in spontaneity and is perceived as a forced, artificial mix, something that does not happen with the music by this duo. ALEJANDRO HINOJOSA http://www.domo.com HENRY MARSH: "THE OTHER SIDE OF THE OCEAN" With a great mastery of melodies, Henry Marsh offers us fresh, lively instrumental music, overflowing with feelings. The 14 pieces in the album guide us throughout the inner world of the artist in a fascinating voyage. One of the most impressive tracks is, in my opinion, "Exile". PASCUAL JURADO http://www.henrymarsh.co.uk MATTHEW L. GORDON: "WARM AND MANDATORY" Showing a great creativity in the field of New Instrumental Music, Matthew L. Gordon offers us a collection of 34 brief pieces in this album, all of them brimming with intense colours. The music has a very personal character, stressed with the personality of its author, which contributes to providing the work with a pleasant freshness. PASCUAL JURADO http://www.precoderecords.com |
| June 6, 2006 GIORGIO COSTANTINI: "PIANO PIANO FORTE" In this album, Giorgio Costantini offers us a wide range of very melodic themes, pleasant to listen to, and full of sensitivity. There are several pieces in a symphonic key, of an almost classical nature, and others that enter the field of romantic pop music, with some subtle traits of jazz. Well wrapped into convincing arrangements and a perfect sonority, the music is very emotional, with romantic and also solemn traits, yet without falling into an excessive sweetness. The compositions are soft, but with rhythm. The piano is the soloist instrument in some themes and passages. The artist has a well defined style that no doubt will awake the enthusiasm of the followers of the best Contemporany Instrumental Music. Another important aspect that can be appreciated in this album is the great experience Giorgio has in the musical arena. All the pieces are a clear sample of the solid talent of the artist. "Adagio" has an incomparable magic. "Nero" is most remarkable because of its great strength. "Rosso" has a very special emotional warmth. "PianoPianoForte" is, no doubt, a work that cannot leave any listener unconcerned. VIRGINIA TAMAYO http://www.pianopianoforte.com GANDALF: "SACRED RIVER" Real Music A superb album. The ten compositions in it included have an outstanding emotional beauty. "Sacred River" is very much inspired on nature, specially on the Yamuna (one of India's holy rivers), thus evoking a journey throughout a stream that passes immense virgin spaces. Gandalf combines dreamy melodies of great strength, with ethereal environments, outlining an enchanting sonic landscape of a mystic-romantic character. Skillfuly utilizing acoustic and electronic instrumental sounds, he creates a pleasant and very orchestral music, where the keyboards, the guitar and the fine arrangements have a fundamental presence. HECTOR JORDAN http://www.realmusic.com JOSE BONET: "TRAS LOS CRISTALES" (Re-release) E.G. Tabalet Pianist Jose Bonet has composed in this CD-single a fine work that can be labelled within the New Instrumental Music. There also are Classical traits. The seven pieces are romantic, in a mood more melancholy than merry. Some passages have certain mystery traits. The expressivity that the artist achieves with the piano is remarkable indeed, without the help of any other instruments. Beautiful melodies, perfectly intertwined, follow one another without ups and downs, in a work that Bonet's followers will no doubt appreciate. Bonet's style shows his peculiar personal technique. EDUARDO FONTANA http://www.josebonet.com MICHELE IPPOLITO: "MYSTIC MOODS" Penrose Records "Mystic Moods" is a beautiful space travel based on the use of synthesizers, ideal to let imagination soar through inner worlds. The Ambient style present in the album is melodic and symphonic, full of spectacular orchestrations with synthesizers and a certain romantic character though it doesn't fall into an excessive sweetness. Michele offers us a careful selection of seven pieces in which she presents us the best of herself as a composer. The impressive orchestrations of the themes show her experience as a composer as well. The music transpires sensitivity from all its pores. EDGAR KOGLER http://www.vippolito.com LIQUID MIND: "LIQUID MIND VIII: SLEEP" Real Music This is a work full of poetry and beauty. The music flows in a consistent, uninterrupted stream of ethereal soundscapes. The whole album has a clear space air, not only due to the use of synthesizers, but also because of the style of the compositions itself. However, the pieces are not abstract; they have majestic melodies, sometimes somewhat sentimental in nature, wrapped up in nightly, sensual atmospheres. In a few words, a very pleasant CD to listen to. EDGAR KOGLER http://www.realmusic.com |
| March 27, 2006 FRANK VAN BOGAERT: "ONE OUT OF FIVE (THE BEST OF FRANK VAN BOGAERT)" Groove Unlimited This is a compilatory album that gathers a selection of pieces from different albums by Frank van Bogaert. Quite a number of the distinct aspects in his style appear in this compilation: from the Ambient to the dynamic vein nearing to Synth-Pop and Space Sequencer, all that dominated by the imaginative presence of synthesizers. "One out to five" contains true musical jewels. It would be unfair to point out at any given one of the tracks: just enjoy each one of them. VIRGINIA TAMAYO http://www.groove.nl 2002: "THE EMERALD WAY" Real Music The duo 2002, in "The Emerald Way", utilize keyboards, flutes and guitars to shape ten themes of an atmospheric and melodic kind, very pleasant to listen to. Integrated in the most widely accepted trend of the New Age, their compositions are nevertheless very personal. The music of this album is, on the whole, soft, and with clear romantic traits. Mostly it becomes festive. Some pieces are very ethereal, and can be labelled within Ambient, with symphonic elements. EDGAR KOGLER http://www.realmusic.com JIM HUDAK: "BRIDGING TEXTURES" Brainstorm Records Jim Hudak approaches us with a new instrumental work of the best quality. The fourteen pieces that integrate this album are very melodic, with romantic airs and relaxed environments. The piano has a clear prevalence throughout the entire album: thus are the sweet melodies developed one by one, in such a way that they succeed in attracting our attention as we listen to them. Hudak, an expert pianist, is in charge of the main parts of the album, although he is accompanied by several musicians at the violin, Cajun Accordion, saxophone, fretless bass and percussion. The record has been produced by Will Ackerman and Hudak. VIRGINIA TAMAYO http://www.jhudak.com J. ARIF VERNER: "FROM A DISTANT HORIZON" Spotted Peccary Music J. Arif Verner gathers fresh musical ideas in this album, under a general focus approaching melodic Ambient. The ten compositions of the album flow softly onwards, with a vital strength that leads the listener to think of wide, pure, natural spaces. The structure of the music also consists of difused melodies that come and go, dense, atmospheric environments that surround these melodies, and occasional sound effects. The music turns out to be dreamy, even oniric, with a careful musical sensitivity. EDGAR KOGLER http://www.spottedpeccary.com DEAN DE BENEDICTIS: "SALVAGING THE PAST" Spotted Peccary Music "Salvaging the past" consists of ten impressive compositions, whose stylistic range fluctuates between deep Ambient and symphonic Space Music. This work has a pleasant freshness, thanks to the imaginative melodies and atmospheres. The music is mostly static, even though there also are pieces and passages with a slow rhythm. In the slow passages, the structure is fluid, not being limited to a few fixed chords. In a few words, a work that will enthusiasm the aficionados to ambient and meditative electronic music in general. EDGAR KOGLER http://www.spottedpeccary.com DIGITAL ACTIVITY: "BIRTH" Disturbing Music With "Birth" we certainly don't have a conventional musical project. This is a daring album merging innovative Ambient with Psychedelic influences, some elements of Progressive Rock, and other, more difficult to place, traits which contribute to endow this release with a great originality. The sonic and melodic constructions turn out to be rather astonishing indeed, as well as unpredictable enough. A total of seven tracks with a wide melodic and experimental diversity appropriate for those who want to escape from conventionalisms. ALEJANDRO HINOJOSA http://www.disturbingmusic.com XLR8FASTER.COM: "XLR8" PVR This is a daring 2CD release. Powerful Techno with the energy of Heavy metal. The 18 themes are upbeat, with cybernetic rhythms, strong percussion, and turbulent environments. The melodies are situated on the border between Psychedelic Rock and the most aggresive areas of the Industrial music and Synth-Pop. The use of synthesizers is imaginative, and useful as a vehicle for innovative ideas. The CD 2 includes all the songs from CD 1, in instrumental version. VICENTE GISPERT http://www.xlr8faster.com FEAR FALLS BURNING: "HE SPOKE IN DEAD TONGUES" Projekt / Ikon This 2CD set consists of 14 pieces composed by Fear Falls Burning, that he performs with only the electric guitar and some guitar pedal effects. The compositions were recorded rigorously live. In a way, the music in this innovative work could be defined as "Dark Electric Ambient" or "Apocalyptic Urban Folk". The artist evokes in his music an impressive, stunning voyage through some post-industrial ruins, where toxic atmospheres, rusty metallic textures and electrified whispers compose a landscape of eerie colors. EDGAR KOGLER http://www.fearfallsburning.be DAN CLUCAS / INMEDIATELY: "EXILE" pfMENTUM "Exile" flows within Experimental Jazz, with psychedelic traits. Dan Clucas, who in this album plays the cornet, is accompanied by Brian Walsh (clarinet, tenor saxophone), Noah Phillips (electric guitar), Michael Ibarra (contrabass) and Rich West (drums). The artists make a dark music, sometimes stunning, some other times of a more "classical" hue, yet always fresh and with the philosophy of exploring new sonic continents. There are slow passages with other frenzied ones. Some parts could be defined as "Apocalyptic Jazz". DOMINIQUE CHEVANT http://www.pfmentum.com FLOATING MIND: "DEEP VISIONS" Urgence Disk Records "Deep Visions" is an enigmatic album, entering Dark Ambient and Deep Industrial Music. The eleven electronic pieces that integrate this CD are each one a journey towards the unknown. All of them possess a decidedly disquieting character, like soundtracks for walks in rundown factories. In this release, the artist utilizes unconventional sonic architectures, succeeding in creating musical structures far from the most usual trends. The most impressive piece in the album is, in my opinion, "Voices". EDGAR KOGLER http://www.darksite.ch/urgences/urgences/ FRANK KLARE: "MOODS" Groove Unlimited This CD is a daring work in minimalist electronic music at the purest cosmic style. The three long electronic pieces that integrate this CD flow in a consistent, uninterrupted stream of unearthly soundscapes. "Alpha Moods" and "Theta Moods" are slow suites. Musically speaking, listening to these two pieces has a relaxing effect. "Beta Moods" has quite fast rhythms, performed with sequencers. 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. EDGAR KOGLER http://www.groove.nl CHAD HOEFLER: "QUIET GLOW" Lotuspike Records Chad Hoefler has a very personal style. His music can be defined as Deep Ambient, although it also has elements of Industrial and Space Music. The final result is innovative, and displays the good imagination of the artist. In these eight themes, the atmospheres and the sonic effects maintain a disquieting tone, contributing a series of oneiric sensations for the listener. The successive sonic textures, at the synthesizers, take us step by step into an unexplored terrain. In a few words, this is a very interesting work. EDGAR KOGLER http://www.lotuspike.com DJAM KARET: "RECOLLECTION HARVEST" Cuneiform Records This is an attractive album, mainly because of the amount of concepts that Djam Karet include in the sonic and musical palette. Using electric and acoustic guitars, analog and digital synthesizers, mellotron, organ, Ebow, electric bass and percussion, the artists offer a collection of fresh themes, preferably aimed at instrumental Progressive Rock, yet one that at the same time explores new paths. No doubt this CD will appeal to the fans of Djam Karet as well as the lovers of Progressive music in general. ALEJANDRO HINOJOSA http://www.cuneiformrecords.com FORGAS BAND PHENOMENA: "SOLEIL 12" Cuneiform Records Patrick Forgas has been has been called "the French answer to the Canterbury scene" ever since his debut album "Cocktail" (1977). He is one of the most interesting representatives of that kind of Jazz-Rock that is currently being done. "Soleil 12" consists of four long pieces composed by Forgas, who in this album plays the drums. He is accompanied by Sylvain Duclox (guitar), Igor Brover (keyboards), Kengo Mochizuki (bass), Frederic Norel (violin). Stanislas De Nussac (tenor & soprano sax), Denis Guivarc'h (alto sax) and Sylvain Gontard (trumpet & flugelhorn). "Soleil 12" is an album that transpires freshness from all its pores. ALEJANDRO HINOJOSA http://www.cuneiformrecords.com UNIVERS ZERO: "LIVE" Cuneiform Records This CD contains some parts of the concerts that Univers Zero gave at Les Halles de Schaerbeek, Brussels, Belgium (June 24, 2005), and at Le Triton, Les Lilas, France (June 18, 2005). All the themes have been composed and arranged by Daniel Denis. He was in charge of the percussion, whereas five musicians accompanied him with other instruments: Michel Berckmans (oboe, basson and others), Kurt Bude (clarinets, saxophone), Martin Lauwers (violin), Eric Plantain (electric bass), Peter Van Den Berghe (keyboards). The style of Univers Zero, bold and avantgarde as it is, is situated on a strange border between psychedelic Rock and the darkest areas of Classical Music. "Live" is a magnificient sample of this surprising style. ALEJANDRO HINOJOSA http://www.cuneiformrecords.com VARIOUS: "SONGS OF THE NEW MILLENNIUM DARK AGES" Music Oracle No doubt we are before a collection of true Gothic Pop which will delight both the followers of this genre and those of Psychedelic & Dark Rock. There are some pieces near to Melodic Pop and others of a more disquieting character, but all of them are always quite unexpected and worthy of attention. ALEJANDRO HINOJOSA http://www.musicoracleltd.com VARIOUS: "NEGRONI>PLAY_TWO" Materiali Sonori Fresh alternative Pop. Most of these pieces have a style with Latin influences. The contents of this collection, compiled By Leo Daddi, is as follows: Pilot Jazou: "Your Crime". Madrid De Los Austrias: "Mas Amor". Negronite: "Million Mile Man". Emmanuel Santarromana: "Metropolitan". Zeb: "The Seed". Suitcase Lounge: "Sail On". Shantel Vs. Mhala Rai Banda: "Lest Sexy". Zuco 103: "Mayfly". Dj Dolores: "Matilha". Keen-O: "Playing With Colours". Capiozzo & Mecco: "Spinning Wheel". Negronite: "Bilion". Luji: "Forever". Incognito: "The Principles Of Love". Suitcase Lounge: "Sleepy Eyes". Ominostanco: "Mister Smile. MARCELLA CIRIGNOLA http://www.matson.it LA BANDA IMPROVVISA: "PRATOMAGNO SOCIAL CLUB" Materiali Sonori This album by La Banda Improvvisa is an imaginative fusion of Folk and Classicism. The music also has some touches of New Instrumental Music. VALERIANO GUIOL http://www.materialisonori.it EYAL MAOZ: "EDOM" Tzadik Records The barriers between Folk and Avantgarde are broken by the peculiar style of Eyal Maoz. In the pieces that are included in this album, the artist gathers traits from New Instrumental Music, Jazz, Psychedelic Rock, Jewish Folk and innovative Pop. MARCELLA CIRIGNOLA http://www.tzadik.com |
| February 17, 2006 CATHERINE DUC: "VISIONS AND DREAMS" The music by Catherine Duc is an imaginative combination of elements typical of New Instrumental Music and others near to Atmospheric Pop, whose result is a pleasant colection of electronic symphonic pieces with a romantic, melodic air. Also various influences such as Celtic, as well as others from different origins can be perceived in some of the themes. There even are certain Ambient touches in several pieces. An album that no doubt deserves an attentive listening. ALEJANDRO HINOJOSA http://www.catherineduc.com INCANDESCENT SKY: "PATHS AND ANGLES" It's twilight time The eight compositions that integrate this album can be described on the whole as ethereal Progressive Rock, of a melodic instrumental character. Incandescent Sky practise imaginative musical arguments with a very good basis, both in the rhythmic and melodic aspects. Well wrapped into convincing arrangements, Ambient textures and a perfect sonority, the music has a pleasant freshness. A true delight for the ears from the first to the last theme. ALEJANDRO HINOJOSA http://www.overflower.com VARIOUS: "BARCELONA E-SOUND 2005" This compilation, like its title suggests, has been done by selecting themes or fragments of themes composed by artists living in the City of Barcelona, Spain. The pieces that shape this CD are: Odracir Lavid: "Utopic Lands". Bruno Sanfilippo: "Fuga". Max Corbacho: Ephemeral Evolution". Aleix Riera: "Twilight Zone II". Sergio Koval: "Berlyon". John Lakveet: "T6, Anti T6, syn T hexta 6". Dom F. Scab: "Inflamable". Jordi Isierte: "Bucles de Azufre". Sam Vitoulis: "Die Ameisen". Joan Cerezo: "Espelunquen". The music is fresh, imaginative, near to Space Music and related styles. Some of the pieces are strongly based on sequencers. In a few words, this is one of the compilations that takes electronic/ambient music to its highest reaches. EDGAR KOGLER http://www.barcelonaesound.com GREGORY CAIN: "WHEN THE WIND IS HIGH" In a personal style that enters both New Instrumental Music and World Music, Gregory Cain takes us through a voyage to ancestral paths. In these nine themes that integrate the album, the artist merges his musical ideas with elements of Native American folklore, to shape an excellent album in which the flute has a leading role. Certain Ambient traits appear in the sonic atmospheres that constitute the instrumental background. This CD constitutes a good example of the fusion of the ancestral and the modern within the frame of the meditative music. MARCELLA CIRIGNOLA http://www.gregorycain.net STEUART LIEBIG / STIGTETTE: "DELTA" pfMENTUM Most of the twelve pieces included in this album range between New Music and avantgarde Jazz. Nonetheless, some pieces or passages from them turn out to be unclassifiable. With a style clearly identified with experimental music, the artists construct unusual structures created by means of an acute imagination for the architectures of sound. The instruments used here range from contrabassguitars, to flutes, clarinets and basoon. Most of the time, the themes give out a mixture of disquieting melodies and silences. DOMINIQUE CHEVANT http://www.pfmentum.com PETER KATER: "AIR" Real Music With his usual style, romantic, sweet and melodic, Peter Kater has composed for this album four beautiful instrumental pieces, which range from the most folk side in his style, and the most meditative or Ambient side. Some compositions or parts are merry, even boisterous, whereas others have a certain melancoly touch. The music reaches deep inside when listened to with due attention and peace of mind. In a word, this is a very pleasant work to listen to. PASCUAL JURADO http://www.realmusic.com PETER KATER: "FIRE" Real Music In "Fire" we find seven compositions full of sensitivity and romanticism. The music turns out to be relaxing, at times melancholic, at times blissful, with some mystery touches, with warm textures and soft colors. Almost all the themes are rhythmic, even though not quite fast, and give the leading role to the melodies. The piano has a very important protagonism throughout the entire album. Seven compositions aimed at making the listener dream. PASCUAL JURADO http://www.realmusic.com JAMES E. WALL: "WARM EMBRANCE" King of Kings Records The music by James E. Wall in this work possesses a style pretty near to the New Instrumental Music, with an important presence of romantic melodies. There also are traits of smooth Jazz and some Ambient touches. The ten themes are slow, though not static, with percussive rhythms typical of Pop and Jazz, and sensual atmospheres. Of an impeccable make, this is a release that will surely be liked by a wide range of listeners. SARAH TOMBLIN http://www.kingofkingsrecords.com ENRICO CONIGLIO: "COMbiCOM" Tripi / Materiali Sonori Enrico Coniglio shows in this CD a wide range of stylistic directions as well as a good dose of imagination. The style of the release flows along different avantgarde aspects of Progressive Rock, Ambient and Jazz. There also are experimental elements and certain touches of Techno. This is an album charged with good sonic vibrations, powerful in some moments, calm and simple in others, yet always full of a pleasant freshness that cannot leave anyone indifferent. ALEJANDRO HINOJOSA http://www.materialisonori.it ARTURO STALTERI: "RINGS - IL DECIMO ANELLO" Materiali Sonori This is an album with remarkable and varied stylistic textures that mix the New Instrumental music with the Celtic airs and the Chamber Music. The work is a mystic adventure throughout 14 suggestive themes evoking a world of fantasy. Several pieces are dominated by a majestic, epic character, with the orchestrations typical of Classical Music. Other compositions have a clear romantic touch. In actual fact, this is a magnificient album. HECTOR JORDAN http://www.materialisonori.it NIHIL PROJECT: "SAMHAIN" UDU / Materiali Sonori Nihil Project perform in this album a series of compositions between Progressive Rock, Dark Folk, Ambient, New Music and experimentation. Throughout the nine 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. ALEJANDRO HINOJOSA http://www.materialisonori.it KEEN-O: "NOBODY KNOWS HOW AND WHY" Materiali Sonori Keen-O are Pier Luigi Andreoni, Roger Eno, Blaine L. Reininger and Arlo Bigazzi. Their music joins elements from innovative Pop, Psychedelic Music, Ambient, and some Techno touches. On this common basis, themes or passages of somewhat different content are developed. Some of them have a certain romantic character. Others are mysterious, ethereal. All the pieces are a clear sample of the sonic freshness of this band. They are compositions of a complex conception, yet at the same time they are easy to listen to. ALEJANDRO HINOJOSA http://www.materialisonori.it MYSTIC HARMONY: "KINDLE A FLAME" Mister Carmody Productions Mystic Harmony are Mary Anne Brundage (lead vocals, Celtic harp, guitar), Janet Booth (harmony vocals, flute, whistle) and Janice Mawson (harmony vocals, grand piano, keyboards) Their new album is very much in the Celtic wave, yet also near to Folk and Atmospheric Pop, with a series of themes, like "Be thou my vision", "Holy Darkness" or "Kindle a flame", which will appeal to a large audience. The music is, on the whole, melodic, soft, and with clear romantic traits. Sometimes it becomes festive, and at other times melancholy. HECTOR JORDAN http://www.mysticharmony.net DREW BENNETT: "TRIBAL AWAKENING" Kokopelli records Drew Bennett is a talented Native American flutist of Lakota heritage. In these ten themes that integrate the album, the artist takes us to a suggestive journey through the traditional world of the Native American peoples. The music fluctuates between tribal mysticism and meditative music, with a certain New Age touch. The flutes tend to take a soloist role most of the time, and, together with the guitars and percussion, they transmit very intense feelings. MARCELLA CIRIGNOLA http://www.kokopellirecords.com JEFF KAISER / ANDREW PASK / G.E. STINSON / STEUART LIEBIG: "THE CHOIR BOYS WITH STRINGS" pfMENTUM This CD gathers a collection of experimental pieces that flow among the New Music, the Electroacoustic and the Avantgarde Jazz. This is a complex work, a result of the collaboration of different musicians: Jeff Kaiser (trumpets, flugelhorn, electronics), Andrew Pask (clarinets, saxophone, electronics), G.E. Stinson (electric guitars, electronics), Steuart Liebig (contrabass guitars, electronics). DOMINIQUE CHEVANT http://www.pfmentum.com VARIOUS: "HONORING" Real Music In the ten compositions of this CD, the most mystic side of the meditative music from the India is enhanced. The pieces here gathered are: Jeff Beal & Nawang Khechog: "Long Life Chant". Choyang Drolma & Steve Tibbetts: "Chendren". Karunesh: "Ancient Voices". Deva Premal: "Chidananda". Ben Leinbach: "Mother's wingspan". Cynthia Snodgrass & Jim Oliver: "Gayatri Mantra". Benjy Wertheimer: "Threshold between worlds". Buedi Siebert: "Lotus Call part 2". Karunesh: "Sunrise at the Ganges". Jeff Beal: "One human life". The album is complemented with a bonus disc. This second CD contains a guided meditation to lead the listeners to the peace of mind and calm that stands as a welcome oasis in the chaos of life. MARCELLA CIRIGNOLA http://www.realmusic.com |
| January 16, 2006 JOHN LAKVEET: "PROPORTIONS" Groove John Lakveet has released such an extraordinary album that it cannot leave any listener unconcerned. The record, entirely composed by John except for one of the themes, "Square Serial", written by himself and Dom F. Scab, is a journey through fascinating sonic worlds, that appear to have been taken out of a distant future. The cosmic style present in the melodies is symphonic, often with spectacular orchestrations with synthesizers and a certain romantic character though it doesn't fall into an excessive sweetness. The artist creates complex rhythmic structures, that become perfectly fused with the melodies and the atmospheres. He utilizes electronics with great imagination, succeeding in creating unconventional sonic architectures. "Proportions" shows that electronic music has not abandoned the originality that characterized it in the beginning. No doubt this CD will appeal to the fans of John Lakveet's music as well as the lovers of Space Music in general. EDGAR KOGLER http://www.groove.nl JOSEPH LOIBANT: "CONVOLUTION" (CDR + DVD-R 5.1 only music) At-Mooss Records Joseph Loibant displays once again his wide musical vision, not limited by the fashions of the moment. "Convolution" is an excellent work in electronic music at the purest cosmic style. The music is strongly based on sequencers. It is agile, dynamic, sometimes near to Techno Music and in other passages it is more related to the Space Sequencer Music. Rhythm and melody become fused into complex constructions, where the sequencers shape some of the melodies. This record possesses the ingredients and the sufficient quality to be liked by the followers of Space Sequencer Music. The four spectacular suites are full of industrial and cybernetic sounds, that give a mysterious atmosphere to the entire album. These stories in a musical form are comparable to movie soundtracks, and stimulate the imagination of the listener to re-create the facts and sceneries that the music suggests. Part of the music is enigmatic, even sinister, whereas other passages have a certain romantic touch, mostly with melancoly airs. There also are symphonic traits. In a few words, this is one of the works that takes electronic music to its highest reaches. EDGAR KOGLER http://www.at-mooss.com JOSEPH LOIBANT: "CYCLO'S" (CDR + DVD-R 5.1 only music) At-Mooss Records This CD / DVD gathers together, with a new remastering, the suites "Cyclotron 1" and "Cyclotron 2", originally included in the At-Mooss band albums "Cyclotron" and "The Arrow of Time" respectively. A third, unreleased part, "Cyclotron 3", is also here, in "Cyclo's". Loibant has a good grasp of the electronics, and thus his sonic and melodic constructions turn out to be rather astonishing indeed, as well as unpredictable enough. Using hard, impressive electronic sounds, the artist takes us to journeys through regions near to Dark Ambient, Space, Techno and Industrial, displaying his tireless imagination. On the whole, "Cyclo's" is like a collection of dreams or nightmares turned into music. "Cyclotron 1" and "Cyclotron 2" have a decidedly mysterious, enigmatic character, like soundtracks for nocturnal walks in deserted cities. "Cyclotron 3" has an overwhelming rhythm, very percussive, with very interesting sonic textures. Most of the the music has a fast rhythm, yet there also are slow passages. In a few words, an album that no doubt deserves an attentive listening. EDGAR KOGLER http://www.at-mooss.com ROGUE ELEMENT: "PREMONITION" Acoustic Wave Unearthly sounds, epic melodies and gliding sequences, envelop one by one all the themes of this album. In the most perfect Space Sequencer Music vein, it will delight the lovers of this kind of music. The melodies are based on sounds and textures of analogue air. The rhythmic structure of the music tends to be based on powerful sequencers. In many passages, the rhythm assumes the role of melody, given its complexity. There also are moments of a quiet introspection, near to meditation, together with other instants of a daring experimentation, yet always keeping to the most melodic aspects of the duo. EDGAR KOGLER http://www.rogue-element.uk.com BRENDAN POLLARD: "EXPANSION" Acoustic Wave Inspired by the vintage analogic sonority, Brendan Pollard, one of the members of Rogue Element duo, has composed a series of themes that will no doubt attract the lovers of the electronic "look" of the mid seventies. "Expansion" can be defined as pure Space Sequencer Music, with dramatic melodies, as well as impressive passages dominated by the sequencers. A certain nostalgic air is present in some of the themes, although there are others with merry passages. There also are static passages, with a strong presence of ghostly choirs. EDGAR KOGLER http://www.rogue-element.uk.com GERT EMMENS: "WHEN DARKNESS FALLS UPON THE EARTH" Groove Unlimited Amongst the splendid catalogue by the Dutch label Groove Unlimited, this work by Gert Emmens deserves special mention, as its creative quality is most noteworthy. The six pieces included in this album are pure electronic music, with the philosophy of exploring new sonic worlds nonetheless without abandoning melody and rhythm. The composer proves his great imagination by creating a warm, vigorous electronic music, with sequencer rhythms forming rather unusual tonal structures. Many parts possess a great melodic beauty with romantic airs. In short, an indispensable record. EDGAR KOGLER http://www.groove.nl THOMAS FANGER: "PARLEZ-VOUS ELECTRONIQUE?" Manikin Records "Parlez-vous Electronique?" is a superb work of electronic music whose style ranges between Space Sequencer and Ambient. Some Techno traits are also perceived, as well as some experimental touches. The melodies usually are warm, lively, in an atmosphere typical of a soundtrack for an adventure movie. Although several of the pieces have rather fast rhythms, others are more relaxed in nature. The music is very original and varied, without having to make use of experimentation with sounds. The most impressive piece in the album is, in my opinion, "Velvet Beach", of a majestic air and a great strength. EDGAR KOGLER http://www.manikinrecords.de VOLT: "THROUGH THE RINGS" Groove "Through the Rings" is an impressive symphony of emotional melodies and stellar atmospheres, where the less abstract elements of Space Music merge with those more ethereal ones from New Instrumental Music. The melodies appear to grow little by little, in a continuous crescendo that reaches incredible heights. The rhythms are sequencer-based, thus resulting into complex, powerful, and impressive ones. The great dose of talent that Michael Shipway and Steve Smith, the members of Volt, have put in this work can be appreciated especially in the very same character of the music, which seems to sprout from the deepest regions of the soul. EDGAR KOGLER http://www.groove.nl CREATE: "FROM EARTH TO MARS" Groove "From Earth to Mars" enters a very futuristic terrain of Space Music, with turbulent atmospheres, impressive sequencers and melodies between the majestic and the enigmatic. Although there are some slow passages, most of the music has a good rhythm, with a prevalence of the sequencers in the rhythmic structures. The melodies usually are warm, lively, with a certain romantic, symphonic air. There are dark, mysterious passages. Others turn out to be epic, luminous. All the pieces are a clear sample of the excellent talent of the artist. EDGAR KOGLER http://www.groove.nl "SEQUENCES No.30" (magazine + CD) Here is a new issue of this wonderful magazine about innovative electronic music. This printed magazine is written in English. It consists in a Din A4-sized magazine of 36 pages, and a compact disc. The magazine contains news, many CD and DVD reviews, and several interviews and features (for instance, DiN label, Ron Berry, and Inkeys). The CD contains pieces belonging to recently released works, or some to be released soon: Ron Berry: "Forgotten Temples". The Ministry of Inside Things: "Nightscene". Dolores Castro: "So Much". Bluetech: "Elementary Particles". Klangwelt: "Beauty of Numbers (reloaded)". Guildo Meyers: "Inner Soul". TouchXtone: "Virgin Saw". Barbara Zielinska (Van): "Tibet Bells". Harald Nues: "Hall of Souls". Darkhalf: "Transmitter". Bunker Soldier: "Firewall". The CD is a careful selection of music with a great artistic quality. The themes here compiled constitute a good sample of the music by these artists. EDGAR KOGLER http://www.micksequences.demon.co.uk ANDREAS AKWARA: "SYNTHETIC HORIZON" Groove / AA Music The ten themes that are included in this album follow several trends within electronic music. The general style of this work could be placed between Ambient and experimental music. However, there are many elements which cannot be classified in this music, because they are especially innovative, atypical. ndreas Akwara combines mysterious melodies of great strength, with unearthly environments, outlining an impressive sonic landscape of a mystic-cosmic character. His music has a very personal style. EDUARDO FONTANA http://www.groove.nl EMBRASE: "DREAMWORLD" Groove The music of this album unites a beatiful symphonism with futuristic atmospheres and a general approach which enters within the realm of Space Music, although with traits of SynthPop and New Instrumental Music. The style, electronic, is agile, fresh and with a liberal use of sequencers. The orchestrations are very well built, enhancing the impact of the music. In a few words, Embrase has created a thrilling sonic adventure in this work, of a great artistic quality. EDGAR KOGLER http://www.groove.nl VARIOUS: "ANALOGY VOLUME 1" Groove This CD, dedicated to the deceased pioneer of the synthesizers Robert Moog, was conceived, compiled, recorded, mastered and released exclusively by members of the internet discussion board devoted to Electronic Music ( http://www.emforum.nl ) All the synthesizers used in this CD are analog. Although the diversity of styles is remarkable, most of the themes can be labelled within Space Music. In this album, you can hear a marvellous collection of pieces. These are the contents of the anthology: Create: "Analogue Revival". Remotion: "Freeflight". Loren Nerell & Steve Roach & Chuck Oken: "Zone Patrol". Paul Ellis & Steve Roach: "Where are you?". 4m33s: "Elegy". Gert Emmens: "The Morning after". Syn: "Viking Mission II". Russell Storey: "Cosmic Kiwi". Kees Aerts: "Grey Keys". Altres: "Brain Flame". Modulator ESP: "Tsunami". Ian Tescee: "Aquamarine". EDGAR KOGLER http://www.groove.nl DAVID SALVANS: "BLUE ZONE" Aquamanta Music / Actual Sounds In this work, David Salvans approaches the avantgarde Pop trends. The music presents symphonic traits as well as some touches of World Music and Jazz. In "Blue Zone", we find twelve pieces of fresh and beautiful music, with the lyrics also written by Salvans. The artist, in this occasion, has surrounded himself with several singers and musicians who accompany him in the vocals, bass and guitars, whereas Salvans is in charge of the piano, keyboards, percussions and some vocals. The composer is quite close to nature and this can be appreciated throughout "Blue Zone". ALEJANDRO HINOJOSA http://www.davidsalvans.com EDWARD ARTEMIEV: "SHADOWS OF A THEATER" Electroshock Records In this selection of 24 themes, Edward Artemiev shows his most symphonic side. The pieces are from the soundtracks of several films and theatre plays: "Burial of the rats" (1984), "A visit to Minotaurus" (1987), "These three faithful cards" (1988), "Entrance to the labyrinth" (1988) and "Kabala of Hypocrites" (2000). Most of them have a style near to New Instrumental Music, with Classical influences. There are themes that sound mysterious, sinister, like for instance "Kabala". Others, like "Moliere Alone", are romantic ones. All in all, 24 pieces that show us a less electronic, more orchestral, Edward Artemiev yet as extraordinary as usual. VALERIANO GUIOL http://www.electroshock.ru EDWARD ARTEMIEV: "AS FAR AS MY FEET WILL CARRY ME" Electroshock Records This is the soundtrack of the film of the same title, directed by Hardy Martins in 2001, based on a novel by Josef Martin Bauer about a true story. With a solid approach, Edward Artemiev takes us to the impressive voyage undertaken by German soldier Clemens Forell in his dramatic escape from a Siberian labour camp, after the end of the Second World War. In 1952, eight years after he left his family and was sent to fight on the Russian front, Forell was finally reunited with his wife and children. Some of the themes clearly evoke crucial events in this adventure. The music transmits to us the human determination and strength of will. Dramatic melodies, with a certain air of romanticism at times epic, crop up in all their greatness,wrapped by powerful orchestrations. There also are passages dominated by the vertigo of the immense, hostile landscapes, which confront the listener to the challenge to survive in the wild. VALERIANO GUIOL http://www.electroshock.ru JUAN CARLOS GARCIA: "THE LABOURS OF HERCULES" Pulsar Studios The style of the music that Juan Carlos Garcia composed for this CD can be more or less placed within New Instrumental Music, with some characteristics of World Music. Some of the melodies are on an epic line, whereas the rest has a romantic character. The artist offers us his mastery at creating a work full of beauty, where he builds themes of a great strength. VIRGINIA TAMAYO http://www.juancarlosgarciaweb.com DETLEF KELLER: "HARMONIC STEPS" Manikin records "Harmonic Steps", a double CD, is an excellent electronic symphony of a cosmic orientation, that also has elements of New Instrumental Music. These latter can be appreciated above all in the general structure of the compositions, with a great protagonism of the melodies. 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 gloomy air. Some compositions are slow, yet they have a certain rhythm. Others have quite fast rhythms, performed mostly with sequencers and percussion. EDGAR KOGLER http://www.manikinrecords.de |
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