Specials

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.

Artist: Heimann
P: 2010   
A fresh melodic album produced in an excellent Heimann-typical sound! Pleasingly accessible though touching titles remind us of his successful albums like "Touch The Sky" and "Twilight Voyager". Heimann created many new ideas by combining dreamy melodies and harmonies with decently driving beats.
Recommendable to all fans of melodic electronic music!

 

Artist: Peter Mergener
P: 2010
On “Phonetic Society” Mergener returns to his personal artistic roots, by using more electronics and less acoustic instruments than on his latest offerings. Here once again you find wide, spacey sound scapes, sequencer runs, robots, digits and experiments. The technical world in all its cold beauty, expressed by elements of the traditional Berlin school of electronics as well as by modern beats. Both currents are brought together in the track “Time Passengers”. Here younger listeners get a chance to learn about the Berlin sound while older fans might be pleasantly surprised by the more modern grooves on this remarkable album. Peter Mergener, internationally renowned founder of important New Instrumental music groups such as SOFTWARE, deals with a hot issue on his new solo album “Phonetic Society”: the information overload! “We have to live in a constant stream of music and diverse noises, sounds are everywhere”, says Mergener. “Through our mobiles phones and other technical gadgets we are continually connected with some kind of sound”. This is why German composer Mergener speaks of a “Phonetic Society”. On his new album the thoughtful and sensitive sound sculptor tries to depict this man ic world through the means of music (as in the title track “Phonetic Society”), but also to complement it with relaxing and soothing moments (as in the track “Floating Energy”).

Artist: Peter Mergener & Klaus Hoffmann-Hoock
P: 2007
With more than 30 acclaimed albums to his credit Peter Mergener has become one of the most respected and prolific musicians in contemporary electronic and cosmopolitan music scene. Still he always kept being open to and well aware of the qualities in other musicians. So over the years Mergener and Hoffmann-Hoock have frequently collaborated – on “Visions Of Asia” you now can hear the most beautiful results of their musical friendship! The compositions are slick and charming, evoking distant lands thick with exotic flavor. Many of the tracks possess a calming quality despite their complex structure, applying their dreamy melodies to inspire a sense of epic scope.

Artist: Peter Mergener
P: 2000
"African Smiles" is the fascinating document of the composers impressions from a lengthy trip to the black continent. African rhythms, chants and natural sounds blend beautifully with Mergeners sensual synthetics. A musical vision with breathtakingly wide range!

Artist: Peter Mergener
P: 2004
On the DVD you can see and hear the whole concert, in another chapter you will have the opportunity to get an impression of the Mystic Night during a 14 minutes walk throught the illuminated aisles of the Kaiserthermen, another chapter shows the gladiators in the Amphitheatre and you can escort the legonaries from Porta Nigra to the Roman camp.
All music is recorded in real surround 5.1., so sit back, relax and enjoy a brilliant concert and the whole Roman festival.
As bonus you will find the complete Audio CD on the Set.

Artist: Klaus Schulze
P: 1996/ 2007
Produced & mixed by Klaus Schulze.
Composed, played & arranged by Richard Wahnfried & Jörg Schaaf.

KDM describes it: “Marooned” (13:12) is a track which I received from Klaus a few years after "Trance Appeal". It was part of twelve CD-Rs full of studio recordings by Klaus (and guests), planned for another set release that later became the five (or six) CD set “Contemporary Works 2".
The present bonus track is a little part from the fifty percent of then unreleased music. On both sessions (the orginal TRANCE APPEAL as well as on the bonus) Klaus is joined by Joerg Schaaf, and both sessions were indeed designated for Klaus’ “Wahnfried” project and albums.