Jiannis - Nightsessions

Artist: Jiannis 
P: 1997
'Plugged' is a Berlin School, analogue, sequential masterpiece. The shortest track is eighteen minutes so things are really given plenty of room to develop and mutate creating pure aural heaven. 'Erstes Schattenspiel' (catchy title) begins with lonesome synth sounds and vocoded speech in the manner of 'Chromium Echoes'. Don't worry these vocals are used more as a sound, not singing. As soon as the opening sequence takes its first tentative steps low in the mix, fitting perfectly to the washes of synth, you just know that you are in for something VERY special. The sequence beefs itself up and is accompanied by another sequence of a more ballsy variety. The lead line is a real stunner and sends the spine a tingling rather than screeching through the cranium, just right. It is constantly changing and being put through all manner of effects. Things calm down a bit at the eighteen minute mark (can't believe the track has been running that long already) but builds up again shortly afterwards over sequential themes that keep the feel of before but are combined differently. The lead line when it returns is even more effective than before and with even greater variation, the sequences adjusting perfectly. The second track 'Zweites Schattenspiel' (another cracking title) starts with a noise half way between the wind blowing across an alien landscape and a space ship coming in to land. We then get sequences similar to early Jean Michel Jarre ('Oxygene' / 'Magnetic Fields') which initially are rather laid back and to which a more typical Berlin School sequence is added. The lead lines are straight from 1975 / 76. The final track 'Drittes Schattenspiel' starts with more haunting winds before massed chords add to the melancholy feeling and a lonesome lead plays over the top. Seven minutes in a bubbling sequence is added and the lead dies away. This sequence builds and a different lead comes to the surface. Just as we are getting used to this groove a rhythm fades in then drifts lower into the mix. The sequences, lead lines rhythms mutate all the time creating an ever evolving brew. At the twenty minute mark all but the main sequence and the drones die away but after only a short while all the main elements are introduced again one by one with the addition of a second rhythm. The track then fades gently away.

Artist: Kubusschnitt
P: 2010
After 9 years, here it is. The same style, new combinations. This time with Gert Emmens as additional musician. Fast sequences with Moog-sololine melodies. The combination with Gert Emmens really gets Kubusschnitt into a new dimension and class of Berlin-school style.

Artist: Kubusschnitt
P: 2001
We begin with a chaotic collage of sounds and effects out of which emerges an ominous drone and slow pulses. In complete contrast we then get a plucked string type lead line to which is added an absolutely fantastic melodic sequence - one of the best if not the best Kubusschnitt have come up with so far. Not to be outdone in the lead line department in enters a real cracker - again one of their very best. This is such a fantastic track - so full of excitement it just makes you feel like punching the air in pure pleasure. What's more it just gets better, faster and more intense as we progress into the second part with yet more fantastic lead lines. If you want sequencer mayhem with strong melodies you will have it by the avalanche full here. I really can't stress too much just how good this is. We float into the next section on the back of dark atmospherics but in no time at all another sequence emerges - again fast and furious. It is accompanied by a second and we enter Klaus Schulze territory. Nearer the end a subtle electric guitar lead line starts up adding colour to the pulsating brew underneath rather than dominating. Its all change as we move into part four which is basically a short dark cosmic atmospheric piece, a sonar blip being particularly effective. Initially part five takes us out to even deeper space with electronic effects and wooshes of sound making one think of mysterious other worldly phenomena. Out of all this come gorgeous melodic pads. It's as if we are entering a spellbindingly beautiful and yet awesome region of the cosmos. Just close your eyes and let the music take you where it will. For the second half of this part we are brought back to reality with a bump as two more sequences come to life and we now start to move at great speed again. Some lovely floating space guitar plays with the sequences and synth lead. This is both delicate and powerful music, sounds being combined expertly complimenting the sea of pulsations on which they float. The electric guitar does get a little more strident just before we enter the sixth part but not overly so. This section is really a gentle introduction to the even more cosmic part seven. The sound of solar flares fly over some deep pads. In the third minute a rhythm / sequencer combination slowly make their way through a cloud of stellar gasses becoming more strident all the time but never destroying the delicate atmos. Again its all rather Schulzian. To start off with Part eight is another cosmic extravaganza with some lovely floating guitar work. The pulse starts to quicken however as an absolutely brilliant sequence enters around the three minute mark. The guitar disappears and is replaced by synth leads. Things become very 'Sorceror'ish around the eleven minute mark. The sequence mutates just enough to hold the interest, the atmospherics and use of space around it being simply masterful. The sequences are again fantastic on the final part. As they get into full swing some sympathetic guitar work soars into the ether. The sequences get beefier and beefier as the track progresses - synth leads now replacing the guitar and things work themselves up into quite a frenzy up until the end - but is it? Keep the CD running for a little while and you get atmospheric noises and all sorts of other effects then a really nice mid 70's floating melodic passage and that really is the end - honest! Kubusschnitt go from strength to strength proving here that they are one of the very best retro bands around today.