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Synth Music Direct (UK)
The original Double CD has
long been my favourite Keller and Schonwalder album so it is a delight to me
that it has now been re-release but this time with an additional 26 minutes
of music taking the running time of such a package to its limits.
These two artists were just made to work together. All their albums as a
team have provided a different listening experience but all have been
superb. The opening track uses a style of sequence and very similar sounds
to what you would find on Peter Baumann's magnificent first two solo albums
'Romance 76' and 'Trans Harmonic Nights'. If you liked those you should go
ape about this. This sequence lasts for the best part of half an hour
building quite quickly but pounding along fantastically with all manner of
Tangerine Dream type lead lines, circa Stratosfear, Encore and Force Majeure
period, blasting over the top. Honestly, if you like the five albums I have
mentioned here, particularly the Baumann ones you just have to buy the CD
for this track alone.
After a superb atmospheric start to the second track we get a very Klaus
Schulze type sequence, I mean I can just see him sitting cross legged in
front of his synths a fag welded to his bottom lip. The lead lines and
everything take me right back to his late 70s albums. Surely Detlef and
Mario are taking us all for a ride and they have really slipped a previously
unheard KS classic in here. But hold on a second, not possible as how would
it have escaped all the boxed sets. There is also quite a bit more variation
than on this period Schulze but if you are into the great man's work this
track is an absolute must have.
'Satzvey Castle Part One' was recorded eight years later than the original
album and is the first of the bonus tracks. A traditional Berlin School type
sequence starts up but then things take a very different route with fizzing
sonic stabs and bass type beat. It is in complete contrast to the first two
tracks being much more dance orientated. By the fourth minute rapid note
runs add to the 'rave' type excitement. By the tenth minute all descends to
calm once more with just a tinkling melody line and high hat accompaniment.
More rhythms are added as we begin a slow build up. Again we are in 'trance
/ dance' territory but I thought the second half of the track worked better
than the first.
On to the second disc. So I
thought the first two tracks sounded like Klaus Schulze, but come on, this
really MUST be Klaus. The style of sequence and choice of sounds are such a
dead ringer for his work. When the rhythm is introduced it does sound
slightly different, but not much. Things become very hypnotic as there is no
let up from the sequence, if anything it seems to become more intense as we
get further in. The synth pads are mesmerizing as if we are on a psychedelic
sea, the currents ever shifting drawing us in. At about the half way mark
the main sequence becomes very quiet and all the supporting sequences die
away. All that is really happening however is that more sequences are being
developed and then unleashed but they are no less Schulzian than before.
The second bonus track, 'Satzvey Castle Part Two', is very different to the
first and musically more fitting being much more of the style of the
original album- that is Schulzian,. I wasn't a great fan of some of the
sampled vocal stabs though.
Of the five tracks here the original three are still the best and absolutely
essential purchases. The 'spare' time on the disc has been filled up with
additional material and it is completely up to the listener whether to
include these with the rest of the album or just programme them out.
Originally these tracks were planned to be played live at Satvey Castle
2006 to promote the re-release of 'concerts', but the gig was deleted. In
conclusion, if you like Klaus Schulze or even classic Peter Baumann then buy
this. For years the original has formed an essential part of my collection.
(DL)
Dave Law, 2006
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