Wavestar

Artist: V/A
P: 2019
‘E-Scape 2019’ is a collection of exclusive tracks from artists performing at the 2019 UK E-Scape Festival on 1st June. The music is a varied collection of electronic music of the spacey, sequencer style and it all hangs together nicely as a cohesive electronic music album. David Wright opens proceedings with a concert version of the thematic ‘ReConnected’, recorded in 2019. Next up is Glenn Main with the upbeat ‘Secret Landing’ before things go all ‘Berlin School’ with Axxent Opaque’s ‘Live Sessions 29.3.19’. Infinity Curve present another traditional 80’s style piece of EM with ‘Escaping Infinity’, before we go into experimental space music mode with the wonderfully titled, exploratory ‘Looks Like Rain, Dear’ by E3. ‘Rejuvenation’ by Nik Owen Jones picks things up again with its seductive rhythmic spell. We then move into a great slice of melodic UK electronica with ‘Second Star’ by Wavestar II. The album closes with ‘Always Tomorrow’, another live track from 2019 concerts performed by David Wright & Carys. E-Scape 2019 is a varied and compelling compilation that is sure to appeal to fans of high quality melodic and sequencer styled, spacey electronic music.

Artist: Wavestar
P: 1985 / 2006
This was Wavestar’s first recording, dating all the way back to 1984, now reissued with a bonus track.
“Departure” is a bright, happy opener, making 14 minutes go by in a carefree, easygoing manner. “Seascape” focuses more on atmosphere and texture, but it still has that light, lilting Wavestar quality, and is quite soothing. “Landfall” is a surprisingly dark brooding interlude, but it leads into “Wavestar”, an excellent namesake with brisk sequencing that chugs along just so. Though the disc holds up pretty well, “Acrotramp” does sound a bit dated with its preset drums and percussion, along with the breathy female vocals in the opening seconds. Still, it is definitely vintage Wavestar and will no doubt appeal to many. “Atmospheres” is what it says, although there is a soft beat pacing the synth atmospheres. “Return” is an expressive piece that would not have been out of place on a Tangerine Dream soundtrack album from the same time period.
The bonus track is a live recording of “Voyager” from 1988, the liner notes mentioning it is a bit rough around the edges but also rightly acknowledging is a strong enough performance that it is worthy of inclusion here.

Artist: Wavestar
P: 1987 / 2003 / 2015
This is actually the third incarnation of the epic Wavestar album ‘Moonwind’. Having sold out of the second re-press, the album had been unavailable for some time so this chapter is welcome indeed. The album is musically identical to the last release, hence includes the additional track ‘For the Whales’. The packaging has been completely revamped and has the sort of presence which an album of this calibre deserves. It quite simply contains pure 100% EM of the highest calibre and tackles styles across the spectrum, presenting epic Tangerine Dream style sequencing alongside stunning melodics.
The opener ‘Voyager’ is possibly the greatest 12 minute package in EM history. It opens with drifting spaced out refrains and subtle effects. In the background the sequencing glories to come can be heard in subliminal fashion. At the 5 minute mark those sequences are unleashed to spectacular effect. The way the Digisound Modular’s power is harnessed to produce such hard hitting yet hugely enjoyable rhythms is a stroke of genius. Percussive rhythms explode and focus the beat to produce a hugely impressive backdrop, then John Dyson gets to work on producing some of his infectious lead melodies and we are presented here with some of his finest. They sear through the soundstage and scale seemingly never ending heights. The track seems to peak then goes higher.
The title piece ‘Moonwind’ is a brooding masterpiece which displays how effective electric guitar can be melded with synths. The main theme is wonderful and imparts such power and meaning at every turn.
‘Chase the Evening’.... No fan of classic TD style sequencing should be without this slab of pulsating electronic rhythmics. Not content with this, further lustre is added with marvellous melodics and massive symphonic escapades. It really is a masterpiece of synthesis, a sentiment which can be extended to the whole album.
 

Artist: Wavestar
P: 1987
It quite simply contains pure 100% EM of the highest calibre and tackles styles across the spectrum, presenting epic Tangerine Dream style sequencing alongside stunning melodics.
The opener ‘Voyager’ is possibly the greatest 12 minute package in EM history. It opens with drifting spaced out refrains and subtle effects. In the background the sequencing glories to come can be heard in subliminal fashion. At the 5 minute mark those sequences are unleashed to spectacular effect. The way the Digisound Modular’s power is harnessed to produce such hard hitting yet hugely enjoyable rhythms is a stroke of genius. Percussive rhythms explode and focus the beat to produce a hugely impressive backdrop, then John Dyson gets to work on producing some of his infectious lead melodies and we are presented here with some of his finest. They sear through the soundstage and scale seemingly never ending heights. The track seems to peak then goes higher.
The title piece ‘Moonwind’ is a brooding masterpiece which displays how effective electric guitar can be melded with synths. The main theme is wonderful and imparts such power and meaning at every turn.
‘Chase the Evening’.... No fan of classic TD style sequencing should be without this slab of pulsating electronic rhythmics. Not content with this, further lustre is added with marvellous melodics and massive symphonic escapades. It really is a masterpiece of synthesis, a sentiment which can be extended to the whole album.

Here the last copy of the first edition release!

Artist: Wavestar
P: 1985 / 2001
Originally released on cassette in 1985. Re-released in 1993 on Surreal to Real. This is the 2001 remastered 24bit/96Khz re-release with a bonus track. If this material is "dated" at all, it is firmly rooted in a time of expansive majesty in the genre of electronic music. Ambient electronics float in a sea of actively sequenced keyboards. When these sequencer rolls are not fulfilling the music's rhythmic quotient, E-perc delivers the required energetic elements. Searing guitar injects a visceral quality, bestowing both guts and intellectualism to the music.
The melodies are carefully balanced between brooding soundscapes and explosively dynamic structures. Slowburn passages lead into more intricate waves of ascendant music.
Besides featuring a different version of the track "Time Node" from the original release, this CD also features a live version of that piece from Wavestar's rehearsal for their KLEMdag concert in 1991.