Reviews 11-04-2001

Gothic Passage by Mathias Grassow Visit Mathias Grassow's website

Mathias Grassow is a very deep, intense and talented individual.  He has transcended the Berlin school of heavy sequencing and forged a new brand of "German e-music." And it is actually a very international style.  Mathias specializes in drifting and expansive minimalism.  His soundscapes generally have very little or no overt rhythms. "Gothic Passage" is a very dense atmosphere.  A constant and underlying drone creates the passage.  Listeners choosing to follow that path will be treated to a somber journey through a mysterious soundworld.  That world is full of conundrums and juxtapositions.  This is not dark minimalism nor is this pastoral ambience.  Mathias walks the fine line of ambiguity expertly.  He does not tip his hand.  The drone is the tour guide.  Listeners choose their own destinations. Reviewed by Jim Brenholts

Elixir by Mathias Grassow Visit Mathias Grassow's website

It is no secret to regular readers of this e-zine that my ambient preferences lean toward electronic minimalism.  The deeper it is, the more I like it!  When it is expansive and atmospheric to boot, it's over! That is why I have become a huge fan and supporter of Mathias Grassow and his music.  "Elixir" is one of my personal favorites from his discography. As he has done on all of his efforts, Mathias put all of his heart and all of his soul into this loose atmosphere.  There are some hints of dark minimalism but the dominant attitude is bright and hopeful. With his customary drone setting the pace, Mathias leads us on a journey to look for the good in all possible worlds.  This CD is very much all about the proverbial silver lining. Reviewed by Jim Brenholts

Tiefweite Stille by Mathias Grassow Visit Mathias Grassow's website

"Tiefweite Stille" is a German word game.  It means "a deep wide silence."  Interpolating just a little, it could mean "a deep expansive silence."  That fits some of the terms of modern electronic minimalism.  It also fits the attitude of this double CDr from Mathias Grassow. Mathias has 45 CDr titles available at his web site.  Within those titles are 78 individual CDr's.  He also has 21 "official" CD's available, two more ready for release and another collaboration with Amir Baghiri planned for 2002. In his catalog of CD's and CDr's, Mathias describes this set as "one of the best &ldots; very unique."  That is a true statement!  This set is very quiet and very deep!  Such is the quality of this set that it could fit easily with the Hypnos catalog!  (From me, that is high praise!) Mathias is looking for more exposure in and feedback from the USA.  Visit his web site and check out his discography.  All of the titles are worthwhile.  This set happens to be one of his favorites. Reviewed by Jim Brenholts

Amorphia by Robert Scott Thompson Visit Robert Scott Thompson's  website

Robert Scott Thompson has been creating computer ambience for about 20 years.  From his early days in the analog world to his modern forays in the new millennium digital realm, he has always been on the cutting edge and in the forefront of electronic music.  "Amorphia" is one of the finest sets of computer ambience available.  Robert has the unique ability to combine his intellectual prowess with his spiritual and emotional creativity.  He is also able to work in a variety of genres and sub-genres at the same time.  This deep adventure has elements of his classical compositions along with his avant-garde and electronic stylings.  It goes beyond psychoactive and beyond psychotropic.  It is absolutely psychoactive! The experiMENTAL computer effects stimulate brainwave activity.  That activity provokes physical, emotional and spiritual responses.  Deep listeners will feel and HEAR their hearts fluttering and their muscles twitching.  The avant-garde sounds (reminiscent of Charles Ives' dissonance of the early 20th century) evoke eclectic, yet pleasant, imagery.  The closest comparison would be a completely organic and non-toxic LSD experience.  This is an important adventure and a milestone in modern music! Reviewed by Jim Brenholts

The Vivid Air: Electroacoustic Music, 1998-1999 by Robert Scott Thompson Visit Robert Scott Thompson's  website

Jerry Jaran has chosen "The Vivid Air: Electroacoustic Music, 1998 - 1999" as the number one CD for his radio show for three consecutive years (1999, 2000 and 2001).  Such accolades, while well-deserved, are all too rare for Robert Scott Thompson.  He created this album with acoustic and synthetic sounds.  He used no synthesizers.  Well respected for his experimental techniques, Robert continues to infuse his music with his emotional and spiritual affectations.  His liner notes, while heavy-handed at times, describe his intentions and processes.  The CD features dark dissonance, playful acoustics and wild exhortations.  It is a genuine classic! Reviewed by Jim Brenholts

Cytizen by Robert Scott Thompson Visit Robert Scott Thompson's  website

"Cytizen" is an early work of "instrumental electronica" from the creative genius, Robert Scott Thompson.  Robert recorded this set in 1982 and re-released it in 2000 after remastering.  (He put this collection of older material together for fans and for personal nostalgia.)  During that 18 year span, he has been at the forefront of the cutting edge of technological developments in electronic music.  Given the avante garde and experimental textures of this album, it is justifiable to credit him with the introduction - if not the invention - of some of the techniques.  The tones and echoes of this music, almost ancient by new millennium standards, are still heard in many of today's modern digital recordings.   Reviewed by Jim Brenholts

As in the Dark, All Cats Are Grey by Robert Scott Thompson Visit Robert Scott Thompson's  website

"As in the Dark, All Cats are Grey" is another Robert Scott Thompson CD that was too far ahead of its original time.  This album has had a tremendous influence on future generations.  They just did not know it.  Careful and deep listeners will hear the influence on pop, ambient, minimalism, electronica and techno tribal.  Robert pushed all the limits and buttons.  The overriding textures are experimental but there are also subtle and overt symphonic references.  This disc has so much going for it that it defies categorization.  It has something for everyone!   Reviewed by Jim Brenholts

Zoetosis by Telomere Visit Telemere's website For a short profile of Telomere on the Starsend website click here.

Christopher MacDonald, a.k.a. Telomere, made quite an impression with his 1998 debut, "Astral Currents."  It is a CD rich with pure space music.  The only disappointment with "Zoetosis," his 2001 follow-up, is that it took three years to get here! Chris has refined his approach to pure space music by incorporating elements of minimalism and atmospheric ambience into his soundworlds.  While his debut did indeed have a sci-fi atmosphere, "Zoetosis" has something extra.  The gentle synth washes and subtle - very subtle - Berlin school sequences combine to give hints at an earthly and pastoral atmosphere. Many artistes have been working in the hybrid mix of Berlin sequences and deep expansive minimalism, most notably Ron Boots and Paul Ellis.  Chris flirts with that hybrid but his sequences are neither as overt nor as deep. The subtlety of the sequences, "created primarily on the Serge Modular synthesizer," the depth of the minimalism and the beauty of the pastoral hints meld to give listeners one of 2001's finest space music efforts.  Congratulations, Chris!  This is a winner, 24 and 7! Reviewed by Jim Brenholts

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