RARITIES

Artist: Norman Friedenberger
P: 1997
Here we have Norman Friedenberger again, this time under the guise of N:Force (alter-ego’s of one type or another seem to becoming popular!) The reasoning here is that N:Force is the vehicle for more uptempo excursions, bordering on dance territory. ‘An Afternoon on CyberBeach’ opens with a mid paced beat, busy sequencing and subtle motifs which are pitched at just about the right level. It’s an encouraging start which is reinforced by ‘Destination SpaceVault’. The track opens with a countdown, followed by NASA samples which overlay a drifting section with a quirky motif which after a few listens really gets into your head. Soon uptempo dance rhythms take centre stage, ably supported by silken pads and bass sequences. ‘SunSeeker’s Dream’ pumps up the jam with “hip” electronic pulsations. Themes are kept to a minimum leaving the beat to dominate. ‘OverStimulated’ is a short but entertaining outing with more power-house rhythms and blistering detail. ‘Elaborate Temptation’ is more of a chugger with piano themes and excellent syncopating synths. ‘Stranger in a Strange Land’ serves up more busy sequencing and rhythmics, while ‘Riding the Nautilus’ maintains the pace with enthusiastic bass beat and plenty of detailed electronics and motifs. ‘Interference 19’ is a bright and well constructed piece of uptempo synth work with strong melodies and a well chosen set of voices, and the elements are further developed on ‘Ethereal’ and ‘The Abyss of Evanescence’ which both ooze confidence and sophistication. ‘Private Atlantis’ brings the album to a close in epic fashion with just over 3 minutes of top notch noises and ethereal synth chords. Initially this album impressed but somehow it washed over me. Closer scrutiny has unearthed its true potential and not many who buy this will be disappointed.

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Artist: Pete Namlook & Wolfram Spyra
P: 1998
PK 08/141
LTD: 1000
Starting off with some slow revolving ambient tones that seem to linger in the air. The music starts to turn darker and with a little sense of chaos and fleeting synth squabbles. There seem to be many layers of odd experimental sounding samples. The track seems to be more of a collage of samples rather than a smooth track. By the track title, however, it would seem that maybe that was the intention of the artist. A slight intrusion with the guitar sequence that I did not personally like. It made it sound more of a new age sequence. It is followed by some trancey material and a nice older styled ambient background. Again a switch to some more choppy techno. All ends with a Namlook doodling which does bring the track to a nice close.

Artist: Navigator
P: 2000
Navigator are Tony Anderson, Kent Eskildsen and Jens Peschke from Kubusschnitt. So what we get here is certainly born from retro influences but with a decent dollop of their own inventiveness at the same time. Also involved as guests are two more of the Kubusschnitt boys, Ruud Heij who appears on almost half of the album plus Tom Coppens on the fifteen minute 'Leaves on the Line'. Indeed on this track you get effectively three quarters of Kubusschnitt.
The first track 'Northern Consequence (Arrival)' has it all, a fantastic melody which sticks in the mind for ages, and sequences that come out of the top drawer. For the first six minutes we are pleasantly taken on our way on the back of the sequence but from then on things really crank up with the guitar providing a great driving lead line, you could even say soaring at times.
'Mellotrain' has the most beautiful start making use of the sounds from the instrument hinted at in the title. Melodically the guitar again plays an important role though this time it is very laid back which is more than can be said for the sequence- scintillating stuff! The Mellotron sounds on this track really are gorgeous as are the melodies. In the lead line department Navigator have really got it cracked which is rare in sequencer driven bands. 'Off The Rails' begins quite restrained but it isn't long before things become rather manic both in the sequencing and lead departments. Yet at the same time as being off the rails the track is still under control, quite incredible for such a powerful number. The guitar playing is particularly impressive but not for the New Age fans amongst us. I really can't stress how powerful this track is, the sequencing is ultra heavy as are the drums and melodies. It is like a cross between retro and heavy metal! Amazing!
Just when you think things are calming down at the twelve minute mark a new drum pattern forms and we are back into hyperdrive again. 'Leaves on the Line' (OK, who came up with these titles?) starts with the sound of the wind, all very relaxing but then, guess what? Yes, the sequence emerges, but this one is relatively slow and melodic. Things then become rather atmospheric before another sequence comes in and combined with the melodic motif it reminded me a little of Peter Baumann's 'Romance 76' or even Redshift. 'The Wrong Type of Snow' is a pleasant ever changing number as we travel from one sequence to the next over melodic pads. The album is rounded off with 'Northern Consequences (Departure)' which is effectively a reprise of the first track. This is a great album - highly recommended.

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Artist: Nemesis
P: 2007
Live Archive Vol. 3
Here is third and the final part of the Nemesis live archive trilogy. This time the focus is on the more recent years, when our live sets featured even more improvisation than before. There´s good bits from he legendary Pauanne outdoor night concerts in 2004 and 2005, a hectic and rather heavy sections from a set in DBTL festival of Turku in 2000 and a few other things from the past. Almost all of the material is previously unreleased in any form, only the third section of ”Kaiku” is previously released, but this is a rare live version.

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Artist: Neuronium
P: 2016
Mystical, versatile and sometimes sounds like Blade Runner by Vangelis. His 42.nd album is refreshing good. Made by Michel Huygen.

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Artist: Neuronium
P: 1990
Fronted by Michel Huygen, this contains what he refers to as 'psychotronic' music. The music is less upbeat than Tangerine Dream and the like, though it has those moments too. The emphasis is on more free flowing chord textures, similar in style to Richard Burmer, but with an undeniable European sensibility.

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Artist: Nick Franks + Tim Wheater
P: 1993
Wheater and Nick Franks, the English multikeyboard wizard whose debut was an adventurous interpretation of Joseph Conrad's psychological swashbuckler Lord Jim, have teamed up to create Babel, a musical fantasia that sails you straight over the top of the rainbow and into hyperspace. What strange and wonderously exotic worlds they have discovered. Synthesizers that talk in tongues. Vibrant kaleidoscopic rainbows of melody. Cauldrons of pyrotechnic guitar alchemy. And flute solos that are romantically pastoral one minute and elfishly playful the next.

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Artist: Nick Franks
P: 1996
The third album by Nick Franks is one of the most high-energy electronic releases you will hear.

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Artist: Nick Franks
P: 1991
The Debut was great within the instrumentation and melodic lines. Still a classic.

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Artist: Nik Tyndall
P: 1992
Farwind Island takes its inspiration from some islands in the south of crete, possible to see on a clear day near the horizon. The flowting sound are getting one with the synthesizer atmosphere.
Light pianosounds are mixed together with his PPG Waveterm sounds. New age at its best.

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