Fall/Winter 2007 Worth Watching
for...
-
Mind~Flux Destination Space (DA/Star~Flux) The magic duo
who pioneered the synthesis of 70s electronic music with 90s trance energy
return with a decidedly more laid back affair in this DVD-video release. The
theme is clearly space exploration and tone is clearly cosmic without being
old school cosmic, if you know what we mean.
- * Fanger & Schonwalder
Analog Overdose 4 (Manikin) OK, so two plugs for Thomas Fanger
projects--but the guy just keeps it coming! The first Analog Overdose
album was so much of what those serious about music appreciation long for--originality,
energy, and variety. The third installment is one of the better live albums
in recent memory. The latest is no doubt worth your attention.
- * Moonbooter Under Control
(Syn) For those whom have any affinity for the trance sound so
popular right now in rave events and clubs, Moonbooter is a project you really
need to check it out. The project (run by Bernd Scholl) perhaps could be described
as a hybrid sound melding this commitment to trance instrumentation with the
more complex and varied world of electronica. Check out the project's excellent
web site and you will be ready to trance.
- Food for Fantasy Secrets
of Dreamin' (Spheric) Twenty years after Double Fantasy
opened up minds to the accessibility of modern electronica, the duo is back,
and although it's something of a retro affair, it's still solid stuff. Electro-grooves,
guitars, warm synths, oh my!
- * Jerome Froese Shiver
me Timbers (Moonpop/Eastgate) Former TD member Jerome Froese
impressed many a critic and fan with his first solo album Neptunes.
His single on Dutch label Groove Unlimited caught our attention as well. Froese
has proven himself a gifted musician and sound designer and this sophomore
effort should be more proof of that.
- * Klaus Hoffman-Hoock
and Bernd Wostenreich Conundrum (DiN) More than a few
folks in the know about great music have been wondering what this collaboration
will sounds like--through us in that camp. Hoffman-Hoock has been known for
wonderfully exotic projects, such as Mind over Matter, and Wostenreich has
been known for electroncia that borders on, but doesn't cross into, avant
garde. Let's also not forget Hoffman-Hoock's superb record for collaborations--incredible
compositions with Thomas Fanger, Ron Boots, and Peter Mergener for a start.
- Baltes/Grosskopf/Heilhecker
The Jelenia Gora Sessions (Ricochet Dream) This is one of
those live albums you can just sit and have fun with. Yes, set up your stereo
in Dolby Pro Logic II, find a comfortable position and turn it up. Musical
styles melds as seamlessly as the artists electronics, drums and guitar.
- * Tangerine Dream Plays
(TDI/Eastgate) One of the great opportunities of a solid composition
is the capability of taking that composition in different directions, whether
it be through different mixes, the freedom of live versions or taking anothers
song into a new light. Tangerine Dream has no shortage of fine song writing
in its history and Plays lets former and current members take the
notes and paint new sonic pictures with them. With incredibly talented composers
such as Johannes Schmoelling, Paul Haslinger, Christopher Franke and Edgar
Froese in that cannon, this experiment should be entertaining.
- Patrick O'Hearn
The So Flows the Current Sessions (patrickohearn.com) O'Hearn,
long one of America's most wonderful progressive instrumental talents, is
throwing us a bone here. His studio work is among the best out there and his
sense of sound design is as well. O'Hearn has now put some previously unreleased
material up on iTunes for purchase, but how can we convince him to release
it on CD or HD DVD (or just something uncompressed)? O'Hearn's latest studio
effort, Glaciation, has just been released as well.
-
-
- * indicates newest listings
