Record Reviews

KRZYSZTOF MAJCHRZAK / DRUMMONAUT ~ H-E-K-A NOT ON LABEL (Barcode: 192914858294) ~ POLAND ~ Electronic & Ambient Recorded: 2017 - 2018 Released: 2018 This is a duo album by Polish (resident in France) bassist / guitarist Krzysztof MajchrzakFind albums by this artist and drummer DrummonautFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. Dawid Wojtek LewandowskiFind albums by this artist). It presents nine original instrumental compositions co-credited to both duo members. The music combines Groove, Funk, Ambient, Electronic and Ethno elements with improvisation, sounding like an up to date version of Weather ReportFind albums by this artist meets Tangerine DreamFind albums by this artist. The consecutive tracks create a trance like meditative state, which completely absorbs the listener, flowing naturally one into the next. The entire flow of sounds is more about atmosphere and sub-consciousness than about melody or harmony. As such, the music simply avoids clear genre classification and its abstract nature fits to the mood and orientation of the listener more than sets it. Music fans, who are used to absorb clearly defined messages, might find this music difficult to enjoy, but free spirited listeners who are ready to let go of their preconceptions should find this music wonderfully fulfilling and spiritual. This is perhaps not for everybody, but it is highly interesting for the adventurous explorers. Personally I had a great fun listening to this eclectic and unconventional music.

Updated: 24/02/2019Posted: 18/02/2019

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

TANGERINE DREAM ~ LE PARC ESSENTIAL 364 ~ GERMANY ~ Progressive Rock The German group Tangerin Dream is surely the pioneer and forefather of electronic music. Led by Edgar Foerse, who is the only constant figure in the multitude of their line-ups, the group recorded on of the most extensive catalogs (if not the most extensive) spanning close to 200 albums. This 1985 album presents music which is typical of their 1980s output - with shorter and more well defined compositions.

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

	TANGERINE DREAM ~ THE BEST OF THE PINK YEARS CASTLE 815 ~ GERMANY ~ Progressive Rock A great compilation of music from the 1980s by this immensly important German group, which pioneered electronic music. For people who do not wish to invest into buying their extensive catalog, this is an excellent summary or introduction to the band.
	CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

	TANGERINE DREAM ~ UNDERWATER SUNLIGHT ESSENTIAL 366 ~ GERMANY ~ Progressive Rock This album from 1986 is considered their best work in the 1980s and one of the best they ever did. Dedicated to underwater images and experiences, the floating music expresses the moods wonderfully and the compositions are all excellent. For lovers of electronica, this is a must have album.
	CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

STOMU YAMASH`TA ~ GO ESOTERIC 2081 (Barcode: 5013929718128) ~ JAPAN ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1976 Released: 2008 Japanese percussionist / composer Stomu Yamash`taFind albums by this artist settled in England in 1972, after studying music in his native country and later in the USA. He worked mainly as a composer for theatre music, but his signing as a recording artist for the Island label brought his work to the attention of a wide audience following the release of this seminal album – a super project in every sense. "GoFind albums with this title" is a large scale suite, combining many musical elements, from Classical to Jazz, World Music and Rock. For the recording of this project the composer created a true super group, consisting of some of the best musicians on the scene, including British vocalist Steve WinwoodFind albums by this artist (TrafficFind albums by this artist, Blind FaithFind albums by this artist), American drummer Michael ShrieveFind albums by this artist (SantanaFind albums by this artist) and guitarist Al Di MeolaFind albums by this artist (Return To ForeverFind albums by this artist), German keyboardist Klaus SchulzeFind albums by this artist (Tangerine DreamFind albums by this artist) and many others. The orchestral arrangements were written by the wonderful Paul BuckmasterFind albums by this artist. The album is full of brilliant musicianship and the music majestic and mystical, flows serenely engulfing the listener into a trance-like state. In retrospect the entire work is a proud precursor of New Age music, which would erupt on the scene two decades later, but at the time it was innovative and quite daring in its scope, which cased it to be embraced by the Prog fans. Although the album was very successful at the time, it was unavailable on CD for many years and this new remastered edition is a most welcome dream-come-true to many Prog fans.

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

STOMU YAMASH`TA ~ GO… LIVE FROM PARIS ESOTERIC 2086 (Barcode: 5013929718623) ~ JAPAN ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1976 Released: 2008 Following the studio recording of the epic work "GoFind albums with this title" by the Japanese percussionist / composer Stomu Yamash`taFind albums by this artist, the same cast of musicians embarked on a tour, performing the music live. The Paris performance was captured on tape and later released as a double LP, released here on single CD. The cast is a true super group, consisting of some of the best musicians on the scene, including British vocalist / keyboardist Steve WinwoodFind albums by this artist (TrafficFind albums by this artist, Blind FaithFind albums by this artist), American drummer Michael ShrieveFind albums by this artist (SantanaFind albums by this artist) and guitarist Al Di MeolaFind albums by this artist (Return To ForeverFind albums by this artist), German keyboardist Klaus SchulzeFind albums by this artist (Tangerine DreamFind albums by this artist) and several other backing musicians. In many respects the live recording is by far superior to the studio version, easily explained by the lack of time limitations and other constrains present in the studio. The soloists (and especially Di Meola, whose playing is truly inspired and Winwood, whose vocals soared that night) can stretch almost at will and considering the strength of the participating musicians they always receive a sympathetic and masterly support. The orchestral arrangements being replaced by synthesizer work also take off some of the studio version rigidity. In short this is one hell of a concert, one of those once-in-a-lifetime special nights. If you like the studio version of "Go", this is a must, if you didn´t, you still might find this to be great after all. Definitely worth trying out!

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend