Syn - Thru The Syngate
(2000-2002/2003, SynGate CD-R
2006)
Synth Music Direct (UK)
This is the second CD by
Syn and basically if you liked the first 'Soundwave Traveller' you should
also like this. 'Transcendant' begins with the sound of a plane landing
then we are straight into a lovely mid paced sequence accompanied by some
great analogue sounds. Edgar Froese's solo works came to mind,
particularly 'Macula Transfer' and 'Ages'. Then again there are some bits
which wouldn't have been out of place on 'Stuntman'. The Froese
comparisons are actually apt nearly all the way through the CD. It's a
great opener which works on every level, the melody being just as strong
as the sequence. 'Slipstream' gets straight into an excellent sequence /
rhythm combination.
The sequence reminded me very much of one of the tracks off 'Kamikaze
1989'. There is also a really nice moody lead line over the top, and the
Mellotron at the end is simply gorgeous. 'Valles Marineris (edit)' begins
with a rhythm which would have fitted perfectly on a Steve Roach album but
with a backing of much more typical retro pads and wonderful tron sounds.
It works extremely well providing a mid paced rather relaxing number which
I just sunk into like an old comfortable chair. There is an appropriately
rather cosmic start to 'Heart of Orion (edit)'. Quite dark thick pads are
used as a base for brighter note droplets which fade into the distance.
Again the combination of sounds and effects is perfect showing that Syn is
just as competent a master of atmospheric detail as he is at deploying the
sequencer. Like the first track 'Viking Mission' is another long one, this
time at over eighteen minutes. The pace is picked up immediately as a
rapid sequence strikes forth. Its very much late seventies TD but the
superb lead lines would have been just at home on one of Peter Baumann's
first two albums but still with many an Edgar Froese touch here there and
everywhere. Awesome stuff!
The sounds used throughout this CD will take you right back to the mid to
late seventies Berlin School heyday. Now 'Sonus Part 6' is a very curious
one. For a start it reminds me so much of a hybrid of a couple of tracks I
have heard before but can't quite place. The first part consists of dark
waves of sound coming in crashes then in complete contrast there is a
jaunty rhythm, a bit like Peter Baumann's 'Biking up the Strand' but I
think there is an even closer comparison if only I can put my finger on it
- ahhh! Even though a very similar palette of sounds is used here as on
the rest of the album there is a very different 'feel'. Still lovely
though. The title track returns us to a more typical mellotron / sequencer
Berlin School blast. The sequence bounces along wonderfully and the
surrounding sonic textures are pure perfection. In some ways it wouldn't
have been out of place on 'Macula Transfer' but there is a little more of
a bite or kick here than would have been found on that album. Simply an
essential purchase for fans of retro / sequencer driven music. (DL)
Dave Law, 2003
image
credit: NASA/ESA/C.Carreau
Electroambient Space
(USA)
Through
the Syngate starts right up with the effusive “Transcendant,” very
similar to the middle track from his debut CD Soundwave Traveler. It moves
along at a brisk clip, not pausing to breathe a bit until about 12 minutes
in, then it floats about serenely for the last few minutes. “Slipstream”
also starts with a steady tempo, full of vintage synth sounds. Think of
Tangerine Dream around 1981, say from their Thief soundtrack. Lovely
mellotron flutes arrive as the song concludes. “Valles Marineris” has a
great blend of tribal rhythms and retro synths. “Heart of Orion,” is a
subtler piece with some Vangelis-type lead synths. “Viking Mission” is
another lengthy energetic piece, but not much different than
“Transcendant.” Between the two of them that’s 35 minutes of very
similar-sounding music, especially if you consider this territory was
already covered on Syn’s first CD. I’d have chosen to include just one
or the other. Next is a great tribute, “Sonus (Part-6),” a transparent
homage to Jean-Michel Jarre’s “Oxygene Part 6.” The waves and birds as
well as the light synth beat are virtually identical to the original, but
the lead line has Syn’s own spin, which I really like. The title track
features wonderful mellotron strings. The rhythm and style is a bit more
laid back than “Transcendant” and “Viking Mission,” and the
restraint pays off with a strong closing number to a largely solid outing
from Syn.
