Specials

Artist: Atom Heart
P: 1994 / 2011
AW 067
Atom Heart - Orange (monochrome stills) Recorded and released in 1994, this is certainly one of Atom Heart's classic albums.
It can clearly be located in Atom's "ambient" period, that may be seen as the transition moment right in between his club oriented works (1990-1993) and the birth of his "rather interesting" label (1994).
Without hesitation "Orange" can be classified as an "ambient" album in the most traditional sense, even though, like always, Atom had given it a slight twist, which made it simply a bit different from what was out there in 1994 (and probably therefor makes it an album that is still worth listening to nowadays).
That said, Fax Records, which released the album back in 1994, decided to release this limited edition re-issue on AW. Atom himself remastered the album just recently which makes an even better soundtrack of today.
"Orange" contains 5 tracks, all of them, except for "Rainecho", can be described as slowly moving, repetitive, abstract textures and within themselves contain different sections or "scenes". While some tracks carry either a neutral or positive feeling ("One Atomsecond") others ("Ode to BG") are rather dark, slightly hostile compositions that remain us of Atom's "industrial" period for example. "Rainecho" then, is the only rhythmical track on this album which perfectly fits within the previously described abstract worlds of "Orange" and just gives the entire album the right flow.

Artist: Michael Garrison
P: 1991
In the year 1991 Michael returned to the style of his first releases.
The sounds of "In the Regions..." are back on track here. Could have been a second part of it!
Well done...

Artist: Rainbow Serpent & Isgaard
P: 2010
The fantastic new album of the great German EM Duo with the wellknown singing artist Isgaard (Schiller etc.). Packed in a deluxe 6-pages DigiPak with booklet.
Lyrics & Vocals: Jens Lück & Isgaard on track 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11 and 12. 
This combination with Isgaard gives the music of RS the right kick.
Sounds very relaxed and professional and in a certain way like the Schiller releases.

Artist: Rainbow Serpent
P: 2005
This is now the eighth studio album from the German duo Frank Specht and Gerd Wienekamp (who is also responsible for production and artwork). It comes four years after their album “Voice Of The First Day”. Old times are revived as we listen to this ample 78 minute long disc: the twelve tracks contain musical reminders of Klaus Schulze (for example “Dig It”); influences from the ‘sequencer period’ of Tangerine Dream; and also of Kraftwerk (“Radiotrip”). There are also lots of spacey sounds, or catchy rhythms and above all, admirable sequencer work.

Artist: Rainbow Serpent
P: 2008
This CD contains the impressive concert that Rainbow Serpent gave at Liphook / UK in 2007. The work is entirely composed by the artist except for one of the themes, "Rückblenden", written by himself and Mario Schoenwalder.
Throughout the 71 minutes that the CD lasts, we can hear Space Music themes, others of a Synth-Pop structure, and some with the typical characteristics of Contemporary Instrumental Music. There is a great variety of textures and emotions. Some passages are cold, mysterious. Others turn out to be warm.
The final result is very good.

Artist: Klaus Schulze
P: 1988/ 2005
Nr.: 20
Remastered 2005 version incl. bonus track and enhanced booklet with new photos & liner notes.
Recorded: Autumn 1987, Hambühren

Klaus Schulze - Roland S 50, Roland D50, Roland MKS 30, Roland MKS 80, Roland DDR, Roland 505 Drums, Roland MC 500, Roland JX 10 P, Diverse effects, Korg DW 8000, Korg DVP-1, Yamaha DX 7 II, Fairlight, Akai Sampler

En=Trance is one of his more experimental and offbeat discs; it borders on avant-garde.

Artist: Erik Wollo & Bernhard Wöstheinrich
P: 2014    
DIN 46
LTD 500
Norwegian ambient guitarist Erik Wøllo and German synthesist Bernhard Wöstheinrich are familiar names to aficionados of the DiN label. They previously collaborated in 2009 on the album Arcadia Borealis (DiN34) but have also been involved in several other DiN project collaborations. Most notably Wøllo in conjunction with DiN label boss Ian Boddy on Frontiers (DiN39) and Wöstheinrich also with Boddy on Moiré (DiN18). During a visit to Germany in 2010 to attend the Schallwelle Prize ceremony for which Arcadia Borealis had been nominated Erik spent some time with Bernhard working on new ideas for a follow up album. Due to the busy work schedule of both musicians the gestation of this project grew intermittently over the next three years. They exchanged ideas and gradually those initial sketches coalesced into their second collaborative album Weltenuhr (German for World Clock). Pushing the boundaries of ambient electronica there is a strong vocal presence to the album with a beautiful, haunting female voice on the opener Gales as well as the albums title track. These pieces complement the other fully instrumental tracks which range from the pounding beat driven Subgiants to the ethereal Echoes Of Parlours. Bernhard’s inventive textural rhythms provide the perfect backdrop for Wøllo’s soaring E-bow guitar melodies on tracks such as Oculus and Denser World.  Beautifully mastered by Lee Fletcher and with an intriguingly abstract cover image Weltenuhr is yet again another quality ambient electronica release from the DiN label.

Artist: Waveshape
P: 1995
Perfect Berlin School style with many sequences and mixed melodies.

Here the last copy!

Artist: Fanger & Schönwälder
P:2006
Thomas Fanger and Mario Schönwälder present us a work where rhythm, atmospheres and melody are very well combined. The basic style includes Space and Trance traits. Although there are some slow passages, most of the music has a good rhythm, with a prevalence of the sequencers in the rhythmic structures. This is a powerful work, where the artists contribute their musical talent to achieve a fresh, emotive sonic journey. Fanger and Schönwälder counted with the special collaboration of Lutz Ulbrich, well known for his success in the famous band Ashra Tempel. Ulbrich plays guitar on three tracks.

Artist: Jean Michel Jarre
P: 2005   
A unique even filmed in High Definition and recorded in 5.1 Surround Sound. In a dazzling futuristic production, set against the breathtaking backdrop of Beijing's Forbidden City and Tian'Anmen square, Jead Michel Jarre presents his first live concert to be broadcast and recorded live in 5.1 Surround Sound. Accompanied by 260 Musicians, including, The Beiging Symphony Orchestra, The Chinese National Orchestra, The Beijing Opera Chorus and notable Chinese Rock Musicians all delivered live to one billion Chinese TV viewers! Both DVD's feature a heap of extra material while the bonus CD features the audio version of the entire 18 track concert. Packaged in a gatefold amaray packaging which is housed in a slipcase.

Here the last copy!

Artist: Peter Mergener
P: 2004
Every year in August the Roman festival "Bread & Games" take place in Trier, Germany¹s oldest city. Main locations are the unique Roman monuments, the "Kaiserthermen" and the amphitheatre. Both magnificent structures have been placed on the UNESCO List of World Cultural Heritage. The program of the historical event offers attractive entertainment for everybody. In the amphitheatre you can see exciting gladiators-fights and a parade of Roman soldiers (legions), at night-time the arena is illuminated by torches. In the Kaiserthermen you can experience the daily life in a Roman camp on the Palästra. A special atmosphere in the "Mystical Nights" was created by Peter Mergener & friends (Mergener et Amici) and his sound installations in the illuminated underground labyrinth of the ancient bath. The music written by Peter Mergener and Alquimia, was specially designed for this event and was the first time Mergener et Amici presented their music live on stage August 2004.

Artist: Atilla Can
P: 2003
This reissue of Can Atilla’s 1996 recording has been remastered, and includes three additional tracks from 1998 and one from 2003.
“Torchlight” is so eerily similar to Tangerine Dream from the early 90s that it is virtually indistinguishable from the genuine article, full of synth harpsichord and drums, and even saxophone, courtesy of Meric Demirkol rather than TD’s sexy Linda Spa.
The title track is even more a dead ringer, with the staccato playing of the harpsichord, scorching guitar leads, and the same cadence to the synth drums as many a TD track from that era. So the question becomes, do you like 90s TD? I think this is as well done as other synth music I’ve heard, indeed better than some. But it still sounds like my least favorite period from one of my favorite bands, and it’s not something I would choose to emulate.
It succeeds on this level, and sometimes rises above it, as on “Love Sequence”, which sounds more like it harkens back to Optical Race, with a mellower lighter touch.
In general though, since Can Atilla seems more than able to achieve any musical goal he sets out to do, I wish he had set his sights toward something higher.
If you like this period of TD, though, you will find yourself in heaven.
 

Artists: Various Artists
P: 2003
Project Inter.com is effectively Keller & Schonwalder and friends. They start this wonderful double CD set with 'Come and Taste the Band'. Fizzing drones travel through the ether as subtle percussion and faint guitar give a rather moody atmosphere. It's only in the last third that any rhythmic content is added but even then it is subdued so as not to disturb the lovely serene feel.
Tom van Draft is really Thomas Fanger (from Fanger & Schonwalder, Mind Flux etc). His track 'Blue Halo' starts with a nice melodic sequence augmented by gentle electric piano touches. A rhythm enters in the third minute developing a nice relaxed groove.
Arcanum & Otarion team up for 'Homo Novus'. Various sequences and loops emerge through rather orchestral sounding pads as we start a slow but very effective build up which hits the spot perfectly. Very subtle rhythm and percussion are added around which a beautiful melody, rather low in the mix, weaves its spell.
Fanger & Schonwalder are responsible for the hugely popular 'Analog Overdose' series. Here we have a new track called 'Abgetaucht'. If you liked Volumes 1 and 3 of that series you should also go for this. A sequence can be heard which starts low in the mix but rapidly rises to the surface and is joined by high hat percussion. More pulsations are added in the form of a slow bass sequence / loop. The sequences seep into the consciousness wonderfully taking over the mind. I am sure a lovely little melody had already been there a couple of minutes before I noticed it as it fitted in so perfectly with everything else that was going on. More lovely 70s sounding lead lines come and go- boy do they hit the spot! Virtual guitar can momentarily be heard in the twelfth minute. It adds that little extra excitement without dominating. What a wonderful track- mesmerizing but never boring.
The first disc concludes with 'Salzbad' by Electric Orange. Initially the main feature is a fine splashing sequence but as the track progresses it reminded me of some early Sky label recordings by the likes of Tyndall or even Adelbert Von Deyen.

It is probably the second disc which will excite many however, even before listening to the music, as it contains tracks (all at fifteen minutes or over) by Spyra (with Chris Lang), Rainbow Serpent and AirSculpture. This is the first new material from the last two of these acts in ages.
'Nenikekamen' by Spyra & Lang starts us off. Straight away it's Klaus Schulze who comes to mind. We float on tranquil soft pads then an excellent slow sequence emerges backed by a cello / flute combination (I think!) which weaves a lovely haunting melody. The sequence mutates this way and that increasing in speed considerably in the fifth minute. Subtle rhythm in added low in the mix accompanied by yet another lovely lead.
Fanger & Kersten provide one of the most contemporary offerings on the album with 'Waterproof Guitar'. Infectious rhythmic loops and sampled (or vocoded) utterances of the title develop into quite a relaxed but also extremely 'cool' groove.
'Deep Dive' by Rainbow Serpent makes use of rather metallic sounding eerie wind blown effects over which a shuffling rhythm keeps being heard then disappears like tumbleweed momentarily being seen before being blown into the distance. Just before the five-minute mark some very faint NASA type samples can just be heard. This is extremely atmospheric stuff but also rather vivid picture music. A slow flutey melodic lead floats over the top heightening the haunting qualities still further.
At about the half way mark a slow rhythm is added giving a little structure but never intruding too much or destroying the delicate atmosphere so painstakingly created.
By it's title 'Not Raving, Floating' by AirSculpture might also be expected to be something of an ambient affair but this is not the case. Sure we get a drifting, though sonically powerful, introduction but it isn't long before a typical Sculpture lead can be heard and then a sequence with their signature all over it. It becomes louder and louder, more leads are added then another cracking sequence falls into formation- then another! Simply awesome. Welcome back AirSculpture! (Now when the hell are you going to get your 2003 National Space Centre gig ready for release?!).
We finish with 'Liquid Dawn' by Keller & Schonwalder. For the most part this is an ethereal melancholy masterpiece darker than anything on 'Noir'. A sequence is added in the ninth minute which does drive things forward a little but thankfully the mood stays wonderfully morose. Beware the false ending by the way, just when you think it is all over there is a bonus five minutes of music! Lovely stuff too. Sorry to spoil the surprise guys.

Artist: Joerg Strawe
P: 1991
Dark and light moments out of the life of the starving wolves are the themes of the CD.
Versatile tracks reflect the events around them. Sometimes with natural sounds and environments. Many sequences and a lot of different synthesizersounds are the perfect combination for this CD.