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Skoulaman, aka Dutch synthesist Hans van Kroonenburg, is part of the Berliner School-trio AKS, that some might know from the fine concerts played at the upper room on E-Live 2012. AKS though was put to an end recently. Skoulaman’s motto (The power of a synthesizer is not to imitate but to create) had led to three home-made releases, this one his latest. The title of the cd isn’t sounding very inspiring nor original, but when one only has a short listen to the music found on “Synthesizer Mood” (a compilation of music made 2007 and 2012 for YouTube videos presented in high quality) one has to confess the sonic content makes up for that. Well, he entrance is already impressive, as “Beyond Imagination” offers some catchy vintage sequencing, Moog sounds and warm melodic lines. This style is nicely continued and evolved on the flowing ten tracks, offering over 70 minutes of very enjoyable atmospheres that air the influences of Jarre, but mostly classic Tangerine Dream and (the older music of) Robert Schroeder. “Arpeggiating the music” and “Why are the roads so empty?” are other catchy efforts with its lovely spatial sequencing, while a more upfront, sturdy but still mellow sound surfaces on tracks such as “Let the Moog bass run”, “Addicted to the rhythm”, “Shimmering Juno meets screaming Lambda” and the uplifting “Driving along the mountains”. All in all, despite a few playing flaws and small weaknesses in some of the compositions, the accessible “Synthesizer Mood” has quite some quality music to offer and as such will appeal to many. |
| Website: www.skoulaman.nl
You can see what reviews I have done of this artist on the Skoulaman artist page
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