Emmens, Gert

Artist: Cadenced Haven & Gert Emmens
P: 2010
Emotional sequencerbased rhythms and melodies with an exciting atmosphere through the additional music by Gert Emmens. Uplifting and catchy. Very good CD.
Intriguing rhythms, exiting atmospheres. With Gert Emmens in 5 Tracks.

Artists: Free System Projekt + Gert Emmens
P: 2011
It contains tracks from their live performances in Oirschot and Berlin, 2010.

Artist: Gert Emmens & Ruud Heij
P: 2004/ 2007   
Each of the album's progression of tightly composed episodes are centered upon the traveling, cyclical repetitions of splintered rhythms created by Heij's pattern generating sequencers. Gliding above, Emmens' melodic narrative relates a tale told through a wandering ribbon of warm synth lines - rising, falling and bending in time with the tapestry of interlocking electronic pulses and beats. Unrolling expectantly, the thread is thrilling but the weave leaves us spellbound. The duo augment each other well on this poetic meditation into the vastness of human spirit as explored through music technology. They are well versed in the vocabulary of this genre's early masterworks.
For the listener, Return to the Origin is a means to cover great distances while lost in our own imaginations. For Emmens and Heij, it is part of their quest to locate themselves in the world of their musical ancestors.

Artist: Gert Emmens & Ruud Heij
P: 2016
After their concert at the E-live festival in October 2012, Gert Emmens & Ruud Heij spent a month or two on completing the basic musical ideas of their concert. The result was the completion of 6 new tracks. Right after finishing this new music, they decided to switch to making ambient music for some time. This resulted in the ambient album "Signs", released in April 2014. The next musical step was going back to a very retro style of Berlin School music for a next album. Realising that there still were this 6 tracks waiting for release... They decided to offer the tracks as a complete download album only. BUT Now also as a CD release!!

Artist: Gert Emmens
P: 2012
Melodic sequencerpieces inspired by the paintings of Yuri Pugachov.
 

Artist: Gert Emmens
P: 2001
One of his first works. Analogue Sequencerlines in the Tangerine Dream Exit Style.
On top of it more melodies in the Berlin School / TD 80is style.
Very good combination and enjoyable.

Artist: Gert Emmens
P: 2018
A bit darker with real drums and guitar. A different Gert. Melancholic at times, slower, taking his time to mesmerise us! Pure brilliance.

Artist: Gert Emmens
P: 1999
"Elektra" opens with a cheesy vocoder voice, sounding like those evil robots from the eighties American sci-fi show Battlestar Galactica. However, it doesn't take long at all for the excellent music that follows to make you forget all about that. Gert Emmens provides exceptionally strong compositions with crisp melodies and pace. Though there is a heavy dose of cool retro analog sounds, they are used much differently than most recent electronic music. No long sequencer passages, no layers of hypnotic effects, even though the cover art showing rows of analog knobs and switches imply it.
Though technically a three-part, 54-minute track, "Elektra" is really made up of several smaller themes and ideas, seamlessly blended into a unified musical work. There are readily identifiable passages, some of them quite brief, others lasting a few minutes. Male vocal chants, reminiscent of Enigma, at the beginning of "Elektra part 2" quickly give way to light, bouncy synthesizers, which after a few minutes surrender to floating space music, with stabs of cheese saw waves popping in and out. At times, Emmens reminds me of Venja, who also blends eighties synthesizer melodic sensibilities into its music. The music is generally bright and upbeat, the kind to give you an emotional lift for the day, or to enjoy while driving in the country or along the coastline. Emmens somehow manages to achieve this without too much kitsch. If you like how Tangerine Dream blended melody and themes into its music of the early eighties, then you really owe it to yourself to check out this release.
This is a legendary work, where the composer proved his great imagination. He developed fresh, imaginative ideas, preferably aimed at Space Music. From the precise instant of the beginning of the album, we witness a display of creative, sonic energy of a high degree. Ethereal sounds, dramatic melodies and gliding sequences, envelop one by one all the themes of the album. The music flows in a stream of unearthly soundscapes, communicating a wide range of feelings and emotions. In a few words, this is one of the recordings that takes Space Music to its highest reaches.

Artist: Gert Emmens
P: 2016
After I decided to do an album with old pre-MIDI synths only (and guitar and drums) the first step was to record the sequences. For this, I could use the huge Moog 55 modular system that belongs to Dazzlinj.A modular with some history, since it once belonged to Johan Timman and was used on his Trip Into TheBody album. The sequences were recorded during two days. The modular gave me quite a hard time, it ishardly possible to keep it in tune. Once tuned the sequencer and starting the recording you just hear itslowly (or not that slowly) gettin out of tune again. So, a matter of patience and keeping it’s fantastic massive sound in mind. During the first recording day, I could also use Dazzlinj’s ARP 2600 torecord some soundeffects. The rest of the album was done in around 6 weeks at my studio at home.There is always plenty of old analog’s around to work with. :-) Besides that I was lucky to have kept all the soundeffects and the arpeggio (2nd half of PART 5), done with a Memorymoog that I had on a loan for months long ago, in 2007. For the first time, I recorded acoustic drums in my studio. I have to be thankfull to my neighbours for not complaining about the drumvolume during the days I recorded them...
In Dazzlinj’s studio: Sequences recorded on January 30 and May 21, 2016. Soundeffects ARP 2600 recorded on January 30.In my own studio: Memorymoog recorded in 2007. All other parts recorded from May 23 until Juni 30, 2016.Mixed and mastered during the first week of July, 2016.
Many thanks: Jeroen, for allowing me to record the sequences with his Moog 55 modular and soundeffects with hisARP 2600 synth. Keeping in mind also that he offered two of his weekend days having me around.Ruud Heij, for being there during the recording days at Jeroen’s place, to assist with patching the Moog, and helping to start up and tame it.Pierre Steltenpool, for giving me one of his Memorymoogs on a loan for many months.Ron Boots, for the support, distribution and confidence in my music.Laila, for all the love.
I would like to dedicate this album to all my fans who keep supporting me. It means much to me.
Gert Emmens

Artist: Gert Emmens
P: 2003
Recorded during the concert of Gert Emmens at the E-live festival on the 27th September 2003 at the Auditorium of the University in Eindhoven, The Netherlands. Through the use of a lot of sequences of the Modular system together with Ruud Heij, you really get a vintage feeling of Berlin School music.
Track 1,3 & 5 composed by Gert Emmens
Track 2 & 4 composed by Gert Emmens & Ruud Heij

Artist: Gert Emmens
P: 2012
After releasing 14 albums with symfonic electronic music, and a number оf collabalbums in the same style, Gert Emmens releases his first progrock album 'Memories' . Using the artistname Gert Emmens Project to avoid misunderstandings regarding the changed style of music.

All instruments were played by Gert Emmens, vocals by Cadenced Haven and Gert Emmens.

Artist: Gert Emmens
P: 2010
Metamorphosis was made with old analog instruments only, without MIDI. Only CV/GATE was used, on the sequences. During the summer of 2009 I had the old ARP sequencer of Ruud Heij on loan. Working with this sequencer gave so much inspiration, that I decided to stick to the oldies only on an album. The release took so long because I wanted to finish the “Nearest Faraway Place” trilogy first.
The basic concept behind the album refers to certain dynamic forces of different deviations of life as we know it. This record reflects a translucent wall of evolvement and highlight of pattern of a life as designed by the will of nature. It takes an initiate to hold the capability which represents individual steps of existence that are taken ahead from the moment of learning until the time comes to abide by the fact of being forgotten.
What this album has to offer through its melody is the message of awareness….. the cognizance of certain different stages of life and all the aspects and experiences that we all somehow undergo one way or the other. It symbolizes the changes of patterns, thoughts, opinions, decisions etc for future steps to take ahead in life. And such changes do play a very important role in the fact of how it actually brings out the best in us and what it makes of us when it comes to contradicting reality with the imaginary thoughts in existence. Thus creates a virtual being within oneself with such optimistic but rather less pessimistic thoughts inside and therefore the term “Metamorphosis” synchronizes this with the ritual and variable aspects of survival presence of beings here on earth and beyond…..
The actual reason behind this presence here is what we call a change of existence. In the end we end up back where we started our journey of thoughts and finally leave with nothing but some memories behind into the phase of eternity.
Gert Emmens plays - Arp Pro Soloist, Arp Sequencer, Elektor Formant (*2), Elka Solist chromatic version, Farfisa Syntorchestra, Hammond Auto Vari 64, Hillwood Super Variation, Korg 700S Minikorg, Korg Lambda, Moog Minimoog, Moog Opus 3, Moog Taurus MK1, Moog The Source, Philips Philicorda GM 751, Roland RS202, Siel Orchestra 2, Solina String-Ensemble, Vermona ER9, Yamaha CS80.

Artist: Gert Emmens
P: 2023
The music was composed, played and recorded by Gert Emmens from November 2021 till April 2022 in Studio Gert Emmens in Ede, Netherlands.
Mixed May 2022 and mastered November 2022 by Gert Emmens
with the exception of Until we meet again (for Anton): composed, played,
mixed and mastered late December 2022.
Sequencers and modulars custom made by JvR
Many thanks: Ron Boots, Ruud Heij, Laila Quraishi, Jos van Ras

About the two dedicated tracks:
CD1 track 05 Until we meet again (for Anton)
Anton was the father of my ex-wife, therefore my ex-father-in-law and the grandfather of my son. 
He passed away on December 18, 2022 after a long period of suffering.
Many beautiful memories will remain, and he’s in my heart forever, with love.

CD2 track 06: The final dawn (for Hans Moret)Hans Moret was the host of a Dutch radio show playing electronic music.
Through the years we became more and more friendly and close with eachother.
During the last period of his life, Hans suffered from pancreatic cancer.
After he told me there was no hope anymore and he would spend his remaining time in a hospice,
I composed this track for him in different versions and let him decide which version of it would be on this album.
Eighteen days later, on April 12 2022, Hans passed away.
The music was played at his funeral.

Artist: Gert Emmens
P: 2009
Sequel to "Nearest faraway place vol. 1". The album was premiered and played in it’s entirety during a concert at the “E-Day-Festival”. This is a mix between Berlin School-sequencer based music, fine, warm, melodies, some ambient elements and even a little bit of progressive rock. This is a musical style Gert likes a lot.
”The Nearest Faraway Place Vol. 2” must be seen as one continuous piece of music, divided into seven parts (Part 8 to Part 14 because Vol. 1 also consisted of seven parts).
Spanish voices: Cara and Natxo Asenjo-Fernández
French voice: Eline Feldbrugge (improvised)

Artist: Gert Emmens
P: 2010
The latest (and final chapter) installment of 'The Nearest Faraway Place' series' is indeed an album that whet appetite for more when the last track had finished playing. Each and every track totally mesmerizes. Gert has done it...again!
As the CD is so versatile, structure wise, not one track sounds the same.
It's sound palette & structure is ever changing, and will continue to amaze and inspire each time you listen to it.
There are eight individual tracks on this CD, but the whole installment should be listened to as if it were composed as a one-piece composition, as the tracks floats into one-another.
As for the last track, named 'Conclusion', Gert makes one of his first appearances with a new talent called 'Cadenced Haven'. The music here stands out a little bit from the other Parts we have encountered so far. It closes the disc very laid back and moody, in a sad way. A very thoughtful track that impress. Good job and a warm welcome to Cadenced Haven!
So to sum this album up, it's strength lies in the emotional and moody parts of the compositions.  This is yet another well-produced album that has great re-play factor! Highly recommended! Excellent.

Artist: Gert Emmens
P: 2003 / 2010
It’s obvious he likes long tracks, which have several sequencers running, up front melodies and occasionally a fine solo on top. But Emmens doesn't do it the Schulzian way with long stretched carpets, although the first track betrays his love for Picture Music.
No, he treats the listener to some fresh changes. Out of this cluster of effects a new sequence pattern takes form (some really hit the nail on the head). They don't run on their own, after some minutes they’re accompanied by drum-machine rhythm. Further you have precisely timed effects, resonant synth drones (though never oppressive), some fine Mellotron and of course beautiful choir.
But generally Emmens goes for the more catchy tunes, with a Vangelisian romantic flare. Emmens is at his strongest when imaginative sequencers take hold with iron strong melodies in their wake, like on the best and last track “Voice from the Past”.

Artist: Gert Emmens
P: 2022
 

Artist: Gert Emmens
P: 2014
Very long fantastic, melodic Berlin Sequencertracks, with everything a real EM-Fan needs.

Artist: Gert Emmens
P: 2020
Composed, played and recorded in June 2020 in Studio Gert Emmens, Ede, Netherlands with the exception of track 6 ‘Outlands’ which was composed in August 2014 exclusively for the concert on October 18, 2014 at the E-live festival in Oirschot, Netherlands, where the entire Outland album was performed.

Artist: Gert Emmens
P: 2019
A real Prog album this time with vocals and visioned txts. A true epos.