“Analogic Touch; From Berlin School to Ambient Electronica! That says it all”
1 Lanakiea 30:39 2 Deep Field Emotion Part One 7:43 3 Silken Voyage 9:16 4 Deep Field Emotion Part Two 9:29 5 After Earth Song 12:16
Bonus Track 6 Dance of Senufo Ancestors 8:23 Electrik Dream (CD/DDL 77:46) (Classic Berlin School) (V.F.)
As much to specify you from the outset that discovering the fascinating world of ANALOGIC TOUCH is to agree to enter in a unique sound world where experimentation with a range of synthesizers and analog sequencers go alongside musical forms and ambient phases intimately linked to this search of those great pioneers who brought EM to where it currently stands. Even more hungry for this universe without borders, Kurtz Mindfields is honoring his reputation by signing an even more striking work than Journey Through the Analog Adventure in 2015. Switching perfectly phases of atmospheres, intrinsic to the infinite possibilities of the art, for revolving rhythms, the duo Kurtz Mindfields and Tajmahal give the nobility to the Berlin School with an album whose only flaw is that any good thing has an end. Supported by the DJ designer of sounds Tajmahal, this album, which requires a little more patience before assimilating its beauties, teems with visionary guests with the participation of Stephane Gallay, Kliment and Olivier Grall on synths, Jean Michel Zanetti on guitar, Robert Rich on Haken Key Continuum as well as Milena Sergeeva, Irina Mikhailova and Wendy Martinez on voices. An amazing album which deserves its subtitle; From Berlin School to Ambient Electronica. The album begins with the epic title Lanakiea. From the top of its 30 minutes, this long title evolves in phases and through a rich soundscape of the 1001 sound lights of analog synthesizers. Milena Sergeeva lends her voice and sweet whispers to an introduction fed by a cloud of electronic atmosphere elements, as if the tandem Briançon/Tajmahal discovered for the first time the infinite possibilities of analog instruments from Olivier Grall's studio. The huge layers full of church tones flow like a tidal wave which splashes the banks of a cloud of sonorous orgasms. This phase of atmospheres and of experiments reaches the 5 minutes before a 1st structure of rhythm spits sequences which gurgles in a cosmos spotted of its outrageous sonic possibilities. Supported by sober percussions, the rhythm embraces the form of a Cosmic Funk with greedy oscillating loops which roll under the jets of acrobatic synth solos. Already the shape of things changes 3 minutes later. After a short ambiosonic phase, which takes up the elements of its introduction, the music clings to the spheres of its first phase, but with more slowness. Another phase, more ambiospherical, emerges around the 13th minute. Kurtz Mindfields and Tajmahal are going this time for an approach of pure Berlin School and its Gothic perfumes with chthonic layers of voices which hum on a bed of Schulze synth pads. Mellotron perfumes rise with lines of flutes, whereas slowly this long ambient passage of Lanakiea enhances its value with a thoughtful piano and drifts towards a phase of purely Berliner rhythm. A stationary rhythm which hops on the spot and in a firmament of solos and analog effects. Another ambient phase meets our ears before Lanakiea wears out its energies in a progressive electronic jazz finale. Deep Field Emotion Part One takes us to another level! A filament of the sequencer escapes after 90 seconds of ambient opacity. Its harmonic ritornello is as devilish as a horizontal spiral which twirls in order to hypnotize our listening. Percussion clicks bite this fragile rhythmic approach which also relies on heavier percussions. The movement is slow and allows the sequencer to bring nuances in the color of the rhythmic harmonies and of its ambient rhythm, as well as a subtle fluidity which barely stands out, as the moods intensify as Deep Field Emotion Part One reaches its final. I prefer the more fluid and experimental approach of Deep Field Emotion Part Two which reminds me of the best from Synergy. But both titles are superb! After a slow ambient introduction, Silken Voyage sparkles with its 1000 lights in a circular structure where the sequences twinkle in a Mike Oldfield (Tubular Bells) approach. The guitar of Jean Michel Zanetti throws some good meditative solos, preparing this title for its 2nd phase which is more rock. After Earth Song crowns ANALOGIC TOUCH; From Berlin School to Ambient Electronica between dream, for the sweet piano, and reality with an approach of ambient rock that the beautiful voice of Irina Mikhailova caresses of a thousand murmurs. Magnetizing, the music of After Earth Song gets rid of its ambient/cosmic rock genre to plunge into a solid finale of ambient Electronica, thus respecting the whole dimension of the title of an album that will make you ears full of charms. A small gift comes with the purchase of this album; the title Dance of Senufo Ancestors available on the Bandcamp page of Electrik Dream. This is a variation on the same themes of Deep Field Emotion, but in a more psychedelic approach. Another great gift from Kurtz Mindfields!
Sylvain Lupari (July 16th, 2018) *****
Available at Electrik Dream Bandcamp
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