Apeiron

Artist:  Apeiron + Vasudeva
P:  2001
This album seems very much inspired by music found in the mystical East. Much of it makes use of ethnic type rhythms and flute though it does have an 'Electric' feel to it from time to time. Where as I wouldn't say that on the whole this style of music is really my cup of tea I must admit to finding it very pleasant and it did make a nice change from my usual sequencer driven favourites. The first track 'Stonegarden' consists of just slow drums and a flute and certainly leaves you in do doubt as to where the musicians inspirations for this album lie. 'Green Island Suite' is split into three sections the first has a slow droning beginning but then there is a sudden quickening of the pace as sitar and tablas come in. The electronics backing it are perfect and this was one of my favourite sections on the whole CD as it had real umph to it and the melodies were extremely pleasant. Its then all change as we enter the second section. It sounds much more ethnic consisting mainly of chimes and tablas. The final section is more electronic with a really nice synth lead but joined by more ethnic drums and what I assume is the sitar again but really I know very little about such instruments. Again I found it very appealing but if you have an aversion to the sound of 'Eastern promise' it probably won't be for you. 'My hole in the ground' makes use of simple percussive instruments and a didgeridoo. 'Echoes of Childhood' begins with more slow ethnic drumming and appropriately the faint sound of children (very processed). It plods along very nicely and I found it very relaxing and peaceful. The piano sound low in the mix was a particularly nice touch and showed a real invention in the mixing of cultures. 'Gongalongagong', hardly surprisingly makes heavy use of gongs and other, mainly metallic based percussion. I half expected some Krishna's to be credited in the booklet but they weren't. Not really to my taste but very well done. 'Awakening' begins with ambient nature sounds out of which more metallic percussion emerges. It brings up images of being in a garden of a Buddhist temple. A repeated motif is introduced and the drumming subsides a little only to return when the motif disappears. There is also more evidence of a cross cultural mix as a melody on what sounds like a trumpet can be heard from time to time. There is no way it should work but amazingly it does. 'Nataraja' has some background recordings of people speaking a language I can't understand with synth touches over the top. Its all extremely atmospheric. The trumpet type sound comes back and for some reason I couldn't stop thinking of Clint Eastwood in a 'Fist Full of Dollars'! 'Folktune' is apparently an arrangement of a traditional Nepalese piece and rather reminded me of a very stripped down version of the old 'Monsoon' track. This is a very brave CD extremely well done and even an out and out retro freak like me got a lot out of it but I can't really see it being popular within EM circles. I hope Lambert (who's label this is on) manges to introduce it to other markets which might be more receptive as it deserves to sell well.

Artist:  Apeiron
P: 1994
Andreas Konrad is the musician behind Apeiron, and the music featured here was recorded between '92 & '93. 'Way to Paradise' is a strong 6 minute opener and fans of John Dyson should enjoy the bright main theme. The 15 minute title track follows featuring plenty of meaty sequences, sparkling effects and truly superb lead synth lines which wouldn't sound out of place on an early 80's TD album. This really is a great track. 'Vortex' airs crisp sequences accompanied by well improvised themes, and the formula is repeated on 'Head-Land' which is notable for some great synth effects and heavier sequences giving the track a very powerful edge. 'Roomless' delivers yet more impressive sequence lines as it twists and turns for almost 13 minutes. The enticingly titled '75 Dreams' consumes the final 4 minutes of the album. More soaring sequences? Well, actually no - it's more like an EM version of the Magic Roundabout theme. But this does not matter. The bulk of this album contains the kind of mainstream EM which most fans will find irresistible. If you liked what Lambert & Parsick served up on 'Trancession', well you have simply got to hear this one.

Artist:  Apeiron
P:  1991 / 1994
The follow-up to 'Imagic', though the bulk of the tracks here were penned in '91 with the remainder in '94. In isolation the opening quintet of tracks are not bad at all with various synth motifs accompanied by rhythmic backing, and track 2 'Flowing Away' is especially powerful, however compared to 'Imagic' it's difficult not to be disappointed because of the high standard which has been set. Once 'Part 2' of the title track gets going though all disappointment is brushed aside by 11 minutes of blistering sequences and powerful synth leads. One of the best EM pieces I've heard this year so far. 'Part 3' winds things down superbly, leaving three more tracks in the 6-7 minute bracket to close the album. 'Floreal' is one of the 1994 pieces and is a fine uptempo outing with more searing synth leads, and 'Little Nika' will again appeal to fans of rhythmic, melodic EM. The sleevenotes end "...but now it's time for a change...". On this form I really don't see any need to.

Here the last copy!

Artist: Lambert,Parsick,Apeiron, u.a.
P: 1996
This is a rare collection of unreleased tracks by the listed artists. This compilation was once made to introduce new artists on the Spheric Music label and some of them started their career just after this release!

 

Artist: Heimann, Lambert, Apeiron,
Akikaze u.a...
P: 1991
One of the early collections of new dutch and german artists with fresh new sounds.