Skoulaman

Artist: Skoulaman & Ron Boots
P: 2022
The live set from Electronic Circus Summer Ediition.

Artist: Skoulaman & Stephen Whitlan
P: 2023
Their E-Live performance from the 12th of November 2022.

Skoulaman:
Korg DS8/03rw
Roland JUNO106/SH32/U110
Moog Little Phatty
Kawai K1r/K4
Waldorf Q/Streichfett
Behringer Deepmind 6
Eurorack Modular (sequencing track 1,2,4 and 5)

Stephan Whitlan:
SCI Prophet 5 rev 3.3
Behringer Odyssey
Nord Electro 3
Korg DW8000
Roland D50
Behringer Model-D
Arturia Keystep
Eurorack Modular (sequencing track 3 and sound-effects)

Artist: Skoulaman
P: 2015
Live registration of the concert played at the Awakenings-em at Burton upon Trent, UK, 17 October 2015. All tracks composed/ and live performed by Skoulaman except for guitar on track 2 and 4 which is performed by Rik van Kroonenburg. Recorded by Phil Booth.
Electronic Music with 70s style sequneces and some more melodies.

Artist: Skoulaman
P: 2020
LTD 100
Dreamy Berlin School Sequencer music, slightly flowing.
Studio album with a mix of old remastered Youtube tracks (2,3,6 and 7) and new tracks (1, 4 and 5). On the 4th track Rik van Kroonenburg plays E-guitar.

Artist: Skoulaman
P: 2014
The first Spacemusic produced back in the 1970s will always be referred to by fans as "The Classics", but should really be thought of as "Part One". Through artists like Skoulaman we may feel these pioneering albums reaching into the present. Dreaming of the Future Reflecting the Past (76'51") thrums with its own vitality. Seemingly thrown together in a few live takes by Hans van Kroonenburg (recording as Skoulaman) his work is improbably resonant. With its freewheeling immediacy this metrical music speaks to us in the voice of an old friend. The initiated will no doubt cite influences ranging from the heart-felt inventions of Vangelis and subtle cosmic energy of Free System Projekt to the sequencer wizardry of Steve Roach, Javi Canovas or Craig Padilla. With keyboards and modules astir staccato synthesizer blips play and echo in intriguing interlocking patterns - a cerebral beat embedded in the rolling melody. As vague flute tones ghostly shadow van Kroonenburg's synth lead, minor-key strings sustain then shift in a heroic progression of chords; which adds a different kind of motion across the field of dancing and bobbing electronic notes. There is a huge gap between the people who understand these musical forces and the rest of us. On Dreaming of the Future Reflecting the Past listeners get to hear this man's wild gift. If this music is a code, then it is so only to encourage our curiosity and stimulate thought. Establishing a continuous flux in perfect proportions Skoulaman helps push our brains to a higher level of integration. The pleasure in this music is as complicated as the music itself.

- Chuck van Zyl/STAR'S END   28 November 2014

Artist: Skoulaman
P: 2018
Hans van Kroonenburg a.k.a Skoulaman, started experimenting with electronic music in the late 70's after encountering the music from artists like Vangelis, TD, JMJ, Kraftwerk and many others. Being fascinated by the music, and as a curious person Skoulaman wondered how all these sounds were created and soon bought his first keyboard, a Solina electronic organ, to find out. Slowly more synthesizers and effects were added to the collection, which until today fill up his cozy home studio.This being the first Skoulaman album that's being released under the Groove label, makes it a special occasion. Also the recording process was a bit more special than usually. Where normally a track would be created completely spontaneous during the moment of recording, this time a more structured approach was needed to be able to reproduce the songs during live performances. The fact that Skoulaman plays his songs completely live without backing track or computer, made it even more challenging.
On all the tracks the arpeggiator of the Moog Little Phatty was used as a base sequencing pattern. On some songs sounds recorded in nature were added to the intro (birds from a forest in Boschoord Netherlands / Evening atmosphere Monopoly Italy / and streaming water in Wilnis, the town where I live). As always reverbs and echoes play a big part in Skoulamans sounds. On 2 tracks Skoulamans son, Rik van Kroonenburg plays electric guitar to beef up the sound.
 

Artist: Skoulaman
P: 2013
Skoulaman, aka Dutch synthesist Hans van Kroonenburg, is part of the Berliner School-trio AKS, that some might know from the fine concerts played at the upper room on E-Live 2012. AKS though was put to an end recently. Skoulaman’s motto (The power of a synthesizer is not to imitate but to create) had led to three home-made releases, this one his latest. The title of the cd isn’t sounding very inspiring nor original, but when one only has a short listen to the music found on "Synthesizer Mood" (a compilation of music made 2007 and 2012 for YouTube videos presented in high quality) one has to confess the sonic content makes up for that. Well, he entrance is already impressive, as "Beyond Imagination" offers some catchy vintage sequencing, Moog sounds and warm melodic lines. This style is nicely continued and evolved on the flowing ten tracks, offering over 70 minutes of very enjoyable atmospheres that air the influences of Jarre, but mostly classic Tangerine Dream and (the older music of) Robert Schroeder. "Arpeggiating the music" and "Why are the roads so empty?" are other catchy efforts with its lovely spatial sequencing, while a more upfront, sturdy but still mellow sound surfaces on tracks such as "Let the Moog bass run", "Addicted to the rhythm", "Shimmering Juno meets screaming Lambda" and the uplifting "Driving along the mountains".
All in all, despite a few playing flaws and small weaknesses in some of the compositions, the accessible "Synthesizer Mood" has quite some quality music to offer and as such will appeal to many.
Keep it up, Hans! Bert Strolenberg