Release data: Loneward – Our Unyielding Sky CD-r/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Private Release, 2022 Many composers in the Em-genre, e.g. Mychael Danna, Peter Challoner, Erik Wollo, and Thom Brennan just to name a few, have been fascinated and inspired by the sky above us. The ambient journey making up Mike Carss’s “Our Unyielding Sky” -who considers the sky as our window to the…
Release data: Brendan Pollard – Phrases and Protocols CD/Digital Download, Acoustic Wave Records, 2021 The 63-minute “Phrases and Protocols” –still recorded through a primordial recording process- is (another) celebration of old-school electronics hailing back to Tangerine Dream’s music in the early and mid-’70s. The warm sounds and sequencers of various modular synths are all over the place as are the…
Release data: Max Corbacho – Equinox CD/Digital Download, Silentsun, 2022 A most gracious, gentle evolving sound world of repose and contemplation lies at the core of “Equinox”, a 74-minute textural extravaganza by Spanish ambient master Max Corbacho. Max already announced the recording at the end of May 2022 as a sound distillation from an idea created in 2019 that had…
Release data: Erik Wøllo – Inversions EP, DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Projekt Records, 2022 For me, Norwegian multi-instrumental artist Erik Wøllo belongs to the league of artists making it hard to keep up with the high speed of releases. “Inversions” was fully recorded in Mr. Wøllo’s house in his kitchen as well as his living room. To create the outcome, Erik used…
Release data: Ombient / Chuck van Zyl – Space Patrol CD-r, Synkronos Music, 2015 What I got here is a collaborative release between Mike Hunter (aka Ombient) and renowned synthesist & Stars End radio host Chuck van Zyl, both hailing from Philadelphia’s Em scene. The outcome of the three cosmic-angled long tracks –all performed live in concert in 2013- fits…
Release data: Robert Schroeder – Spaces of a Dream CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Spheric Music, 2022 The sound of Robert’s previous album already showed a return to his early output, and this also applies to “Spaces of a Dream” in a certain way. Most of all it’s a contemporary release on which modern techniques are used throughout, but it’s nice to hear various…
Release data: Venja – Galactic Underground Volume 3: Music for Astronauts CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Art for Ears, 2021 For the third volume of the series, Johan Geens invited fellow countryman Rhea (aka Mark De Wit) and German synthesist Michael Brückner to join him on his sonic journey. Well, it’s another well-crafted, highly emotive space, sojourner, starting out in a dark, deep atmospheric…
Release data: Peter Mergener – Robotic Instinct CD-r/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Cue Records, 2016 I must say I was quite annoyed when I found out this album by established German synthesist Peter Mergener was released in physical form as a CD-R and not as a factory-pressed disc as should have been. The 53-minute “Robotic Instinct” sees Peter return to the fine style executed…
Release data: Irezumi – Forest Digital Download, Private Release, 2022 Some six years after “Thirty”, French artist Manuel Mesdag brings his audience a full body of work with “Forest”. It’s a one-hour enchanting, warm, and most moody ambient release, an aural world at ease featuring various field recordings, bits of subtle sequencing, organic sounds, and some occasional rhythmic structures.…
Release data: Loneward – Fractional Dimensions Volume. 1 CD-r/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Private Release, 2022 Creating proper long-form music demands patience, attention, and talent. Under the Altus-moniker, Mike Carss already delivered some fine stuff such as the “Sleep Theory”- trilogy. Now he kicks off something similar -ambient music in its purest form- using the Loneward-moniker with “Fractional Dimensions”. It’s the first in…
Release data: Terminus Void – Origins Unknown CD-r/Digital Download, Private Release, 2022 Although I’ve been writing and reviewing music for an extended period I still experience a thrill when discovering great new talent in the space music domain. Terminus Void is an ambient-space music project by Seattle-based Em-composer J. Ronald Smith whose debut recording “Interstellar” (where he used the CS-80…
Release data: F.D. Project – Color of Life CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Groove Unlimited, 2022 The music featured on the 9- track “Color of Life” sees a continuation of Frank Dorittke’s contemporary, highly melodic style. Some pieces are rhythmic-driven, slightly rock-oriented, or pure electronic while others (like “Blue”) turn out most relaxed. This apart from a few pieces that contain Frank’s characteristic,…
Release data: Paul Ellis & Jared White – Unbroken Promise CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Groove Unlimited, 2022 “Unbroken Spirit” was meant to be created in the flesh and live in the moment but due to the unfortunate strike of Covid19 things had to be rescheduled between the two musicians with most of the work achieved remotely. I’d say those looking for some peppy,…
Release data: Brendan Pollard – Cycles and Pulses CD/Digital Download, Acoustic Wave Records, 2022 Since the Covid lockdown kicked in in Spring 2020, UK synthesist Brendan Pollard intensified his musical activities in his home garage, changing and re-arranging his set-up while treating the world on YouTube with improvised sessions. The 5-track outcome on this album was realized between January and…
Release data: Sensory++ – Exoversum CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Art for Ears, 2020 I too often forget some noteworthy electronic music is also produced by my Southern neighbours in Belgium, many of them joining and/or supporting the B-Wave collective. The music-making up the concept album “Exoversum” (that actually celebrates the 10-year existence of Mr. Egelies’ album “Boundaries of Infinity”) takes the listener…
Release data: Skoulaman – Mundus in Motu CD/Digital Download, Groove Unlimited, 2022 Dutch synthesist Hans van Kroonenburg keeps surprising me with how thoughtfully made his Berlin School-infused music is and the 74-minute “Mundus in Moto” is no exception. The highly emotive yet sensitive moods already fly high on opener “If I could speak to my father again” (which was played…
Release data: Chuck Van Zyl – Votive CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Synkronos Music, 2021 The love for sound creation in the analogue domain has been (and continues to be) the heart and soul of Chuck van Zyl’s music. “Votive” features three 20-minute tracks with an array of elements of old Berlin school cosmic music. In this aural world, varied, nicely-paced sequencer patterns…
Release data: Jos D’Almeida – Continent 7 CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, caPE Recordings, 2022 The music this Mr. D’ Almeida’s fourth album “Continent 7” was created and finalized during the Covid pandemic but its actual release date was postponed until Spring 2022 when the world slowly started to open up again. This time around, the composer attempted a little more progressive approach,…
Release data: Robert Rich – Neurogenesis CD/LP/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Soundscape Productions, 2020 Initial work on “Neurogenesis” -inspired by a complex, mathematically-tinged lucid dream Mr. Rich had in March of 2019- took off in the summer of 2019, but then took a hiatus when the Covid lockdown kicked in in March 2020. This was also the period when some long-time listeners of…
Release data: Venja – Galactic Underground CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Wool-E Discs, 2017 Having heard “Galactic Underground Volume 2” made me decide to investigate G.U.’s first chapter. This 70-minute journey through time and space features a similar structure, the majority of the 10 tracks being solo pieces by Johan Geens. The latter delivers some excellent grand expanses, soft swelling textural drones, and deep…
Release data: Johan Tronestam – Androids CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Groove Unlimited, 2022 In the last few years, I haven’t been able to keep up with the speed of the new releases of the talented Mr. Tronestam, who now has found a well-deserved new home at Groove Unlimited. The concept album “Androids” is a musical interpretation about and inspired by a future…
Release data: Sequentia Legenda – Resonances CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Private Release, 2022 With “Resonance”, French synthesist Laurent Schiebert takes his listeners back into the cosmic realms of Berlin School music transported in the here and now with three long tracks. In his words, he’s now “ascending towards even brighter energies and ever more spiritual vibrations”. To me, it seems the composer…
Release data: Boreal Taiga – Nunavet (Arctic Drone Sessions) DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Wayfarer Records, 2021 Historically curious and immense, the arctic and subarctic areas have been a huge interest for sound artist Boreal Taiga’s for many years already. “Nunavut” was inspired by talks the composer had with some friends working at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena. They told him…
Release data: Daniel & Booth – Inverse CD/Digital Download, Electronic Composers Outlet, 2020 When it comes to a reinterpretation and keen reshuffle of the Berlin School style, English musicians Michael Daniel and Phil Booth have done a fine job so far since they started out together in 2008. “Inverse”, containing four lengthy tracks without any soloing, is another attentively crafted…
Release data: Kebu – Urban Dreams CD/LP/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Zyx Music, 2021 There’s no doubt Kebu (aka Finnish synthesist Sebastian Teir) is a busy guy since he kicked off his sonic journey about a decade ago. “Urban Dreams” is Sebastian’s third full-length effort on which this skilled musician still uses (an assortment of) analog equipment only resulting in lots of warm,…
Release data: Altus – Anthopoaliena CD-r/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Private Release, 2022 Here’s the first Altus release since composer Mike Carss decided to quit his job and dedicate all his time and effort on his music projects. “Anthropoaliena”, referred to as a sequel to the 2018 album “Pioneer” of a planned trilogy, continues Altus’ journey into the immense cosmic outdoors where the outcome…
Release data: Meg Bowles – Pilgrimage CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Kumatone Records, 2022 You’re at the right spot with the releases of Meg Bowles when it comes to profound emotional ambient(space) music with lots of intrinsic elegance merged with a meditative touch. “Pilgrimage”, released some four years after the beautiful “Evensong”, is another nicely crafted recording graced with warm, smooth resonating synths…
Release data: Chuck Van Zyl – The XYL File CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Industry8, 2016 Let’s focus on some old School-based electronic music from the US created in the mid ’80s that now sees a re-release. Marking the 25th anniversary of its first release in 1991 on an audio cassette by Peter Gulch’s Synkronos Music label, this limited edition cd release contains…
Release data: Harvey Summers – Moon CD/Digital Download, MIG, 2022 Here’s a captivating release by an artist who used the lengthy Covid lockdown period to set up another studio in his home. It would become the birthplace for a cinematic, orchestral, and narrative opus inspired by a lifelong interest in space and the series of moon landings. To achieve the…
Release data: Kurtz Mindfields – Flying from Berlin to Paris LP/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, FeverDog Music, 2022 The EM community was offered another view and approach to classic Berlin School-style electronics since Frenchman Jean-Luc Briançon started releasing his music as Kurtz Mindfields. He proved to be a most skilled synthesist who also connected as well as collaborated with a lot of…
Release data: Wolfgang Bock – Cycles LP/CD, Telefunken/MIG, 1980/2022 It must be at least 15 years ago when I started my own -quite lengthy search- for the master tapes of “Cycles”, leading to the disappointing outcome they could not be tracked down in the music vaults of Universal Music in two different countries. Fast forward to the end of March…
Release data: David Helpling – IN CD/LP/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Spotted Peccary Music, 2022 “IN” is an epic release by David Helpling composed over a ten-year period. Its music is celebrating (and is inspired by) the vastness of and the wonder found in small spaces, simple and intricate as well as expansive and intimate. Two vocalists along with a cello player and…
Release data: Deepspace – Superradiance DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Projekt Records, 2022 The music of Mirko Ruckels, aka Deepspace, has always been a fine vehicle to detach from worldly affairs. Now there’s “Superradiance”, out as a download on the established Projekt Records label, where the composer takes the next step by taking his listeners into the deep end and far off…
Release data: Jeff Greinke – Noctilucent DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Spotted Peccary Music, 2022 Jeff Greinke’s 58-minute ambient sojourn “Noctilucent” (named after a rare type of cloud phenomena called night-shining clouds) is an alchemy of thought-provoking, visceral night music featuring nine transformative tracks riding the edge between tranquility and slight menace. Vibes of unease already shimmer clearly through the aural leaves of…
Release data: Brian Vassallo – Scenes Vol. 1 DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Private Release, 2021 Malta-based composer Brian Vassallo started releasing music in 1998, since then putting outing out more music on a regular basis. The 44-minute “Scenes Vol. 1” compiles 13 single tracks composed in recent years, kicking off with the epic 8-minute “Columbus” (which dates from March 2019). The…
Release data: Forrest Fang – Forever Cascades CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Projekt Records, 2021 For “Forever Cascades”, multi-instrumentalist Forrest Fang created ten rhythmic-driven, minimalist aural surroundings with an Oriental edge, blending synthetic textures with world instruments such as violin, gamelan, dulcimer, and the clavinet as well as assorted acoustic and metal percussion. The core inspiration came through walks near the San Francisco Bay…
Release data: Robert Marselje – 5 CD-r/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Groove Unlimited, 2021 I never cared much for the general melodic music Dutch synthesist Robert Marselje released, until now. The sonic content of his 78-minute album “5” is the counterpoint of his previous work, featuring five tracks with calm, imaginary as well as darker-shaded, rather mysterious-angled soundscapes of a freeform nature…
Release data: Kelly David – Illusive CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Spotted Peccary Music, 2021 With “Illusive” (a 68-minute meditation on the endurance of beauty through troubled times), the evocative electro-acoustic journey Kelly David mapped out on predecessor “Meditation in Green” gets a natural follow-up, merging serene, ethereal soundscape imaginary with occasional subtle percussion. The seven track outcome was composed during the Covid…
Release data: Kubusschnitt – The Core CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Private Release, 2022 Kubusschnitt, aka Andy Bloyce, Tom Coppens, and Ruud Heij is a Pan-European retro-electronica collective that has been around since the end of the ’90s presenting their own interpretation of Berlin School music both old and new. The music featured on the four tracks -for which the basis was…
Release data: David Parsons – Atmanaut CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Celestial Harmonies, 2018 This release is a surprising one as the composer hadn’t received any notification from the label they had released it finally after it had been shelved for so many years. “Atmanaut” (which can be translated as soul journey) actually comprises two unreleased albums from New Zealand-based ambient artist David…
Release data: Loneward – Pallid Memories CD-r/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Private Release, 2022 At the end of 2021, Canadian composer Mike Carss announced he quit his job and would fully focus on making music from then on. As far as I know, this Loneward-release is the first one out since that decision. The concept of the 66-minute “Pallid Memories” deals with the…
Release data: Spacecraft – Tranquillity DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Private Release, 2021 As could be expected with such a title, calm and serene moods are featured in this EP by Mumbai-based composer Rishi Bhatia. We’re talking about freeform, slow unfolding cosmic music here where ethereal textures compliment and/or overlap each other on five short tracks, all ranging between three and five…
Release data: Beyond Berlin – Epiphany CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Groove Unlimited, 2021 For this recording, their third album Groove Unlimited, Beyond Berlin is again the duo Martin Peters and Rene de Bakker. The 67-minute “Epiphany” follows up nicely in the footsteps of predecessor “Totem”, adding another thoughtful and well-made Berlin School album to their discography. There’s already some great sequencing found…
Release data: F.D. Project – The other side of …. and more CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Groove Unlimited, 2021 If one likes accessible, moody, and melodic electronics with some occasional vibrant electric guitar, the works of F.D. Project (aka Dinslaken-based composer Frank Dorittke) will sure be to your liking. “The other side of… and more” comprises a nice set of tracks featuring…
Release data: Kontroll-Raum – Check In CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Manikin Records, 2021 Kontroll-Raum is a new German-Dutch project on the Manikin label featuring Bas Broekhuis, Frank Rothe and Mario Schönwälder. The 73-minute outcome was realized in 2020 which meant the extensive exchange of music files between the musicians due to the pandemic restrictions. Compared to the works I’m familiar with of BKS…
Release data: Simon Lomax – Notes from the Void Vol. 2 CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Private Release, 2022 This recording is the second installment of imaginary, gently resonating, and evolving soundscapes complementing the ambient journey released a year before. Melancholy and reflection already shine softly on opener “An Inner Resonance” and continues in a tad lighter mode on “In Essence”. Occasionally the…
Release data: Three-Six (36) – Symmetry Systems DIGITAL DOWNLOAD/12″, Past Inside the Present, 2022 The music on this 25-minute ep, inspired by the early Artificial Intelligence compilations on Warp Records, is almost instantly recognizable as a 36 recording. Still minimal in nature, “Symmetry Systems” (described by the artist as a sort of spiritual sequel to “Wave Variations”) features seven compact,…
Release data: AirSculpture – Widely SpacedCD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Private Release, 2022 Same as for many others, the covid pandemic deprived the AirSculpture trio of meeting up in person and jamming together. After many hardships and setbacks they found a way to get things done eventually, so work continued on the music they had planned to perform live in fall 2020 for…
Release data: Däcker – Pareidolia CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Deserted Island Music, 2020 With so much music coming from other countries I too often forget my small country has something nice and interesting to offer as well. So here’s an album merging lots of vintage electronic sounds and sequencers with a slight contemporary touch made by Peter Dekker, aka Däcker. The latter…
Release data: Third Eye Sound – Panorama DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Private Release, 2021 By accident I came into this fine space-ambient EP by Boulder-based composer Shane Williams, operating as Third Eye Sound, whose output is highly inspired by Nepal. The nearly 8-minute title track is a lush elevating soundscape of epic, grand open spaces and few resonating bell sounds, in…
Release data: EL-KA – La Rêve” CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Private Release, 2020 I can’t say I’m much of a follower of electronic music from Germany, but I do know Tübingen-resident Till Kopper and Düsseldorf-based HaJo Liese (aka EL-KA) have been around in the scene for a long time. They as well as their music are representatives of the well-known Berlin School,…
Release data: John Christian – Glis Glis CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Groove Unlimited, 2021 Those who cherish sequencer-driven electronics with an edge are at the right spot with John Christian’s “Glis Glis” (44’31’’). The 3-track recording mixes improvised soundscapes and effects with some thoughtful mechanical, pulsating, sometimes even smooth bouncy Berlin School sequencing. At a later stage, John decided to add some…
Release data: Chuck van Zyl – The Relic CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Centaur Discs/Industry8, 1995/2018 Despite not being a collector, while owning the original “Celestial Mechanics”, I’ve always regretted not having a hardcopy of Chuck van Zyl’s “The Relic”. Fortunately, Industry8 did a limited physical re-release of it in 2018 (for which the full recording was remastered), which is the one reviewed…
Release data: Venja – Galactic Underground Volume Two CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Art for Ears, 2020 Accomplished Belgium composer Venja, aka Johan Geens, has been around in the EM scene for some 30 years or so, but I confess missed out on quite a lot of his music. I’m not familiar with the first volume of his project Galactic Underground, but having…
Release data: Hollan Holmes – Emerald Waters CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Spotted Peccary Music, 2022 With his second album on the Spotted Peccary label, accomplished composer Hollan Holmes takes his listeners into the magical world of the aquatic element. Inspiration came by a trip Hollan took as a youngster with his father in 1979, driving through Del Rio, Texas, a border town,…
Release data: Dirk Serries & Trösta – Island on the Moon CD/LP/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Consouling Sounds, 2022 The covid lockdown caused many musicians to compose music under restricted conditions, in search of solace as well as expressing despair or the longing for how things used to be. “Island on the Moon” by Dirk Serries (ambient guitar, outboard effects) and saxophonist…
Release data: Juta Takahashi – Miyabi CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Lunisolar Records, 2021 “Miyabi” is an album containing brand new music after an environmental approach (“Music for Urban Promenades I & II”) and a collection of tracks (“Gems”). Gentleness and tranquillity still graces Juta’s textural music, a sophisticated blend of electronic and acoustic sounds with ethereal, drifting, and dreamy qualities. The latter…
Release data: Max Corbacho – A Connection to the Wonder CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Silentsun, 2021 The title of this album is well chosen as it’s an entrance into a magical world of expansive, serene textural vistas and alternate realities. An abundance of velvet, overtly smooth evolving tapestries is already on display on the 39-minute title track kicking things off, an…
Release data: Synth.nl – Time Travel CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Groove Unlimited, 2021 With the fine compilation album “Time Travel”, Michel van Osenbruggen offers his audience 12 tracks that appeared on various samplers -most notably those in the Schallwende’s Schallplatte series- through the years as well as a few lost pieces. For the occasion, all compositions were attentively remixed and remastered.…
Release data: Vidna Obmana – Revealed by Composed Nature LP/CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Hic Sunt Leones, 1990/1993 “Revealed by Composed Nature” is the fifth album released on Stefano Musso’s Hic Sunt Leones label, featuring intimate ambient music of a repetitive, overall soothing nature. It was initially released on LP in 1990 on Vidna’s own Decade Collection label intended as a sequel to…