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Electroambient
Space (USA)
Synrise’s
“Rainfall” starts the disc on a relaxed yet upbeat note, beautiful
tinkling sequencing and bright percussion making for a positive beginning to
this comprehensive collection of SynG@te’s offerings.
Next is valleyforge’s “Parking Lot at SAN (A Different One),”
featuring maxxess’ excellent guitar playing, which sizzles. The narration
sounds like a cheesy French waiter, though. Throughout the disc, the
emphasis is on mostly lighthearted melodic tracks with a steady beat. For
example, Oliver Ganz shows a deft hand with composition on “The Castle,”
crisp beats accented nicely by synths and guitar. On occasion, however, as
on “Gothic” by Dharana, the music mellows out, this one with an Eastern
flair.
My favorite may be “Step Into The Future” by Realtime, exclusive to this
compilation. It focuses on sequencing and beats, with melody also good but
almost secondary to the strong foundation it rests on. Occasionally a track
gets a little too cute for me, so I like that this one just sticks to the
basics and does it very well. Vintage synth fans will love the lead lines on
Certamen’s “Ozone Zone,” a 10-minute edited version that makes you
want to hear the rest of it.
Disc two is equal to or better than the first one. Hardy Kukuk’s
“E-Motion” is laid back but has a good beat to it. Always good is
BIOnighT, and “Daybreak RMX” plays to their usual strengths of strong
synth solos, tight arranging, and excellent sequencing.
Next is one of my favorite discoveries of 2004, Remote Spaces. “Arpematik
Part 2” is on their Silos CD, which I highly recommend. After
Nebula Drone’s “Nectaris” from their very good On CD, a few
unforgettable tracks follow – too sweet, too cute, or both. Things improve
again when Mac of BIOnighT returns with “Unbearable Wait” – nothing
fancy, but better than much of the material preceding it. Also good is
E=Motion’s “Time Traveller,” another exclusive to this collection of
generally solid material.
With nearly 160 minutes packed onto these 2 CDs, you stand a good chance of
finding something to your liking.
Phil
Derby, 2005
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