Marcator, Adrian

Artist: Marcator
P: 1996
"Faerie, the world of fantasy and magic, of imagination and the supernatural has always been an inspiration to me and is closely connected to my outlook on life and thus related to my musical work", says MARCATOR, the composer and multi-intrumentalist from Northern Germany, who has come to some recognition in the New Instrumental scene with his two previous albums "Eiderland Suite" and "The Dreamtime Cycle" on Prudence.
For his brandnew and third outing on Prudence, "Beyond The Mirrors", Marcator has dug deep into his imagination of these fantasy worlds, but not only into his own imagination. Several tracks are also inspired by the works of writers like Shakespeare ("Midsummer Night's Dream"), Coleridge and Tolkien, who, each in his own era and his own way, have dealt with fantasy and magic. Musically Marcator once again has used his vast knowledge of European folk and classical music to express his views of these fantastic worlds. Compared to his ealier albums there is less emphasis on percussive elements on "Beyond The Mirorrs". Instead Marcator has concentrated his efforts on new and exciting combinations of a multitude of electronic and natural sounds. And once again he proves himself a powerful creator of beautiful melodies. Among the several guest musicians on his album there is an expecially interesting one: Lydia Kavina, the worlds leading master on the "Theremin", an early predecessor of the synthesizer, created by her own grandfather in Russia during the 1920s. Lydia has enhanced a variety of important Hollywood-soundtracks with her exceptional work on the Theremin, but never before her exotic instrumental voice has sounded so naturally in place as on this fascinating album by MARCATOR.

Artist: Marcator
P: 2007
‚Coconut Time’ is a term used by Pacific Islanders to describe their relaxed life-style: ‘Time has come when the coconut falls’ This music is out to reflect that attitude. Most of the songs were written by Marcator during a longer stay on Fiji in 2005. Additional titles were created in Vietnam and Indonesia but also at home in Germany. Compared to previous projects ‘Coconut Time’ is explicitly a solo album with Marcator playing all the instruments. The only guest soloist is Horst Lubitz aka John Mc Lou, a veteran horn player who accompanied every big star from Frank Sinatra, Eartha Kitt to Leonard Bernstein, on saxophones and flute.
‘Coconut Time’ is primarily a guitar album. Marcator plays about 20 different guitars to present the enormous variety and flexibility of the instrument. Of course slide (or Hawaiian) guitars play a major role in this context and wooden and metal dobros (resonator guitars) are used for this sound as well as 12-string Rickenbacker and old Danelectro instruments.
Another important  effect is the e-bow which can create the sound of a violin. Electric sitar and baritone guitar can also be heard while keyboards only play a supporting role.
The simple motto of this album is: Relax!  Have a good time!

Artist: Marcator
P: 1993
Eiderland Suite is strongly rooted in German traditional folk music stylings, although all of its 20 tracks are original material. The songs vary in scope from very traditional approaches with beautiful melodies, waltzes, marches and tangoes to more upbeat fast-paced numbers, often with outbursts of blistering lead guitar and liberal use of synth, giving some of the tunes an almost electronic feel. Overall the music here is very tame and tempered, well thought out and carefully arranged, with little for raw experimentation. ... this unique album is a warm and rich experience that grows on the listener.

Artist: Marcator
P: 1998
NecroMantra is a musical attempt to explore the world of alchemists, magicians and necromancers at the end of the Middle Ages and the beginning new era (16th century). It is an age that is connected to the dark aspects of the previous period but also shows signs of a new beginning and a spiritual reawekening; an age of change that resembles our time in many respects. NecroMantra is a term coined from “Necromancer” and “Mantra”.
The 14 songs of the CD form a kind of concept album. The central character is the alchemist who tries to understand the meaning of the world and reaches the limits of experience and knowledge. This Faustian situation results in an expression of doubt and the state of “Ataraxia” (track 14), as we know it from the Stoic doctrine. Tough the music of this CD can easily be enjoyed without the knowledge of the intellectual background, it nevertheless has been shaped by the reflections on religion, philosophy and cultural history by Marcator, a studied historian and philosopher. This is also why “NecroMantra” is Marcators first album to feature vocal titles and samples of early Christian chorales and Malayan chanting. Here we still find the mystical, quiet atmosphere, haunting melodies and beautiful guitar lines that have become so typical for Marcators work - but this time they are attractively contrasted by modern drum and percussion loops and topical sounds.
In contrast to his three previous albums for Prudence Marcator has nearly played all the instruments himself. Jazz-trumpet crack Juergen Wiegand and guest vocalist Gabriele Hotsch, Ute Wiercinski and hardrock-singer Dit added their personal touch to some of the tracks. For 12 years now Marcator has collaborated at the concept and visual presentation of his work with the painter Jens Rusch. The cooperation was especially close on this project and so several themes from the songs can be found on the oil-painting created for the cover. Thus “NecroMantra” becomes one piece of art, a pleasure for our ears, eyes and mind.

Artist: Marcator
P: 2011
The title of the song and of the album derives from David Quammen’s book of the same name which deals with the mysteries of evolution and extinction. The dodo is a bird that died out centuries ago. The music on this album in its diversity feels like belonging to an endangered species, too. Influences from  blues, jazz, folk and electronica create a musical variety that surprises with every song. World class guest musicians add their craft and inspiration to the original mix. On the 15 instrumentals Marcator plays a variety of electric and acoustic guitars, as well as dobros, sitar,  mandolin and bouzouki. Brass and wind instruments (John McLou) and the fantasic harp of Marc Breitfelder contribute to a wider tonal range. Most of the songs were  written on journeys in Southeast Asia, which is reflected in some of the titles. All numbers were conceived on the guitar mostly in open tunings.

Artist: Marcator
P: 1994
The album by Marcator is the best production he’s done without doubt. The familar fluid guitar lines and subtle electronic shadings are everpresent, but this time he’s added a whole array of other instrumental sounds to the mx from obe to accordian. The resulting sound is a diverse mixture of progressive/electronic/folk influences. A beautiful spatial fusion of electronics and acoustic, topped off with a deluxe ackage unlike any other I’ve seen. Not to be missed!

Artist: Marcator
P: 2003
From 1981 - 1986 Marcator and Mummert formed the guitar duo "Entrance". They released one LP and one cassette book in a private edition. Many concerts in Northern Germany made them well-known. After the end of their cooperation Mummert played in a band called ‘Saitenwind’ and improved his fingerstyle guitar techniques. Marcator concentrated on his work in his recording studio and since 1992 he has published four CDs on the PRUDENCE label, mostly with instrumental music. He works increasingly as a producer for other artists.
In 2000 the wish to improve the old "Entrance" songs with modern studio technology  led to a reunion. They published their best songs with a new arrangement and instrumentation in a private edition as "Wattenklänge".  The 20 instrumentals try to capture the mood of the countryside of Germany’s tidal coast and of the Wadden Sea, a National Park.
Encouraged by the success of this CD Marcator/Mummert worked for 18 months in the studio on a follow-up now exclusively comprised of new songs which now reflect their mature musical and personal experiences.

Artist: V/A
P: 1998
Nice collection of all artists that had been on the Prudence label in the year 1998.

Artist: V/A
P: 2000
A good view at the releases of the BSC label arround the year 2000.
 

Artist: Mergener, Blonker, B. Scholl, B. Koch u.a.
P: 1999
Nice collection of the BSC Label.