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Synth Music Direct (UK)
This CD was taken from a
concert in 1988. As the cover states, it is directly influenced by Tangerine
Dream and Klaus Schulze. Nine tracks are listed but they all flow into one
another except one. Weird shrieking noises cry out then we get gentle
haunting melodic synth pads. A rapid sequence comes in, another joins it and
very TD like crashes add to the dynamics still further. Yet another raindrop
type sequence settles into the pulsating brew. The lead lines take a while
before they make an appearance and aren’t too bad but its really the
sequences that steel the show.
‘Secrets of The Night’ starts with the most exquisite atmospherics then
a gorgeous tinkling sequence takes the centre ground and cosmic shimmers
warble all around it. This is mid to late 70s Schulze, not being out of
place on ‘Mirage’. I wish it would have gone on for longer but we drift
into ‘Dark Rooms’ which features an appropriately menacing sequence and
lead line. A sharp almost military rhythm blasts over the top reminded me a
little of Rolf Trostel. We continue our journey with ‘SUN’. Initially
all is tranquil but it isn’t long before the inevitable sequence can be
heard. Its a real cracker especially when it is overlaid by a beefier one.
An absolutely inspirational number. There is an atmospheric passage in the
middle but out of it emerges yet another superb set of sequences mixing with
the train type pattern of before. ‘Coloured Lights’ starts with a slow
laid back rhythm and then a similarly paced bass lead line comes in with a
complimentary sequence over the top. Things start to speed up just before
the four minute mark but we don’t break into a sweat. Its not important
anyway, this track doesn’t need to be at a hundred miles an hour to make
its impact.
‘Lightdancer’ is a gentle melodic number, very ‘Le Parc’ but not
quite that polished. ‘Transparent Nightmare’ is the most abstract track
here, made up of a weird collage of sounds complete with screams and wolf
howls. Nightmarish indeed. ‘Piano’ is a melodic interlude on said
instrument. Beautiful and incredibly well played showing what a fantastic
keyboard player Jiannis is, bits sounding a little like ‘Tangram’.
‘Walking in the Sun’ takes us back to sequencer territory but with an
abrupt finish. When I first heard this CD I thought it was good but a bit
scrappy in places. Listening to it again a couple of days later It all
seemed fairly together and rather splendid. (DL)
Dave Law, 1999
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