Scab, Dom F.

Artist: Dom F.Scab
P: 2003
Dom’s sequences are of an impressive nature. It already starts with the track “Birth Of Tree” which contains layer upon layer of sequences over which effects are played on the immense Yamaha CS80-synthesizer. “Urban Graffiti”, with interesting rhythms, follows the same path. It is not all sequencer work on the CD: “Blurred Dusk” is a nice and quiet ambient track. With the CS80 in hand, it is possible to sound like Vangelis and on “Incineration Works” this is the case.
“Old Prophecy” is a title well found because it has some of the same atmospheres as the electronic music from the great days. The sequences in this piece are absolutely brilliant.
“About A Tree” again proves that Dom F. Scab is one of the leading names in the retro-electronic music. But through his special sound and way of working you could say it is a style of his own.
 

Artist: Dom F.Scab
P: 2001
New incredible album for this great Spanish musician. 8 tracks full of a total immersion of electronic music, rich of those sounds that go inside the soul, to show again how much music can be a new breath for the listener. Scab gives a perfect result of his style, curing with all his love for EM every passage and changing of sounds... Wonderful the choice of the piano to complete parts of fabulous vibrations that play with touches of percussions. Advised to everyone for a travel where the mind is free to use the fantasy with the memories of that electronic almost lost in the past, but still alive in this artist and who, like him, continues to love and to look for and to look forward. A very good Scab, which style is always better and full of incredible emotions. Great.

Artist: Dom F.Scab
P: 2001
We get straight into a vast stabbing sequence on the opener 'Zero and One'. Another one joins it as we hurtle along in fantastic Schmoelling period TD style. I can't over emphasise just how good this track really is. Its wonderfully powerful and yet also infectious stuff that is impossible to sit still to. The changes in tempo and sequence are all handled masterfully. It's a wonderful slab of pure brilliance! 'Cause & Effect' has a floating beginning but it isn't long before another great sequence appears but its in the melody department where this number is most impressive. 'Signos' is another exciting track using a fast high register sequence to underpin another lovely thick bass laden one. It motors along beautifully in a more 70's TD style to the previous tracks and there are lovely melodic motifs providing a little detail here and a little detail there. As in the earlier tracks Dom is constantly changing the pace and sequences deployed which keeps you on your toes and at times will leave you breathless- its all just fantastic stuff. 'Zinc' immediately gets into a cool laid back groove, the melody and rhythm almost dancing round each other. Then a guitar sounding lead line comes in and gives the piece even more attitude.
'The Unpredictable Device' is another extremely bubbly number and I am reminded of TD's 'Exit' album maybe with a little 'Hyperborea' thrown in for good measure. 'Difficult Encounter' is a short but very atmospheric piece of picture music acting as a bit of a breather in the middle of the album. 'Crazy Trigonometry' on the other hand is back to sequencer territory, one building on top of another to make a wonderful pulsating brew. A fantastic almost bell like lead line then rings out over the top but it is gone again very quickly and the sequences are left to mutate round each other with extra detail added when it is needed, all perfectly crafted together. When the lead returns it does so at just the right time maintaining the excitement until the end. 'Shunt' is another bubbly energetic one with the sequences dominating. 'Secrets' is the longest track on the CD at ten minutes and initially I am reminded of 'Stratosfear' but then as things develop 'Thief' comes much more to mind but with a little 'White Eagle' as well. is another fast sequencer number with powerful synth stabs.

Artist: Dom F.Scab
P: 2005
The album Crosswords (58'05") by Dom F. Scab is for anyone interested in instrumental music that is more focused than all-out smooth spacemusic yet a bit more cerebral than prog-rock. This album delivers seven tracks which reference majestic moments in classic works by Vangelis and the calming sounds of repetition circa Tangerine Dream's early "Blue" years. While Scab builds his music with these touchstones, the arrangement, execution and vision is completely his own. The music on Crosswords is in constant motion, stopping, starting and shifting at the will of a dexterous composer. Scab's tone patterns are energetic and cycle through many engaging variations. His sequencer can run full-tilt, producing heart-pounding syncopated rhythms, then dramatically slow down to a percolating, bubbling pace. The melodic content spins above and below the rhythm floor. Scab's wide open synth lead lines energize the brightening air, shifting tone wildly. There are also places where the mood becomes more settled, locating a less playful and more reverential space. Scab's greatest accomplishment is creating music that is engaging and listenable without being simplistic.

Here the last copy!
 

Artist: Dom F.Scab
P: 2006
Spanish synthesist Dom F. Scab has quite a large discography and has established himself as an important figure in electronic music. He is taking the Berlin school of spacey sequencer-driven electronics in new directions. Twelve Stories (2004), Crosswords (2005), and Necessary Fears (2006) all have strong influences of Tangerine Dream circa Stratosfear, plus a few instances of more Vangelis-like material. Never too abstract or experimental, his music is full of classic Teutonic sequencing blended with melodic elements.

Here the last copy!

Artist: Dom F.Scab
P: 2004
Berlin School music originated in Germany, but some of the best such music comes from the opposite side of Europe; Spain. Dom F. Scab's album Twelve Stories gives Berlin School music a new face.There is an abundance of retro Berlin School bands out there. Most of them are satisfied with long passages of simple "sequencer masturbation" and repetitive arpeggio patterns, and the closer to late 1970s Tangerine Dream they sound, the better. Scab, on the other hand, infuses more into his type of Berlin School electronica. He is not retro-BS. He is "Scab School". A unique style that has its core in sequencer patterns, but they are supported by contemporary melodies, chords and effects. There are no huge Mellotron choirs, guitar improvisation, or anything to confuse his music with some Germans from quarter a century ago. A good blend of space chords, jumping sequencers and melodies drives the sequences onwards. While most tracks are fast sequencer-driven tracks, there are a few slower ambient exercises too, such as About the madness, Interior travel and I'm sorry but we have moved to Saturn, plus mid-tempo pieces such as Brief fable and A reasonable whim. But these tend to be shorter than the faster tracks, so the general impression you will get is that Twelve Stories is mostly about sequencer patterns. The artwork of Twelve Stories is designed to resemble a present, and if you like classic electronic music somewhere between Jarre's Equinoxe and Schulze's Are you Sequenced then you should treat yourself with this little gift from Dom F. Scab.

Here the last copy!

Artist: Michael Garrison
P: 2004
This is a tribute with all new tracks by the artists in the Michael Garrison style.

Here the last copy!