Robert Schroeder 30 Years After Play:    Mid-Fi   Hi-Fi (Excerpt from track 'Destination Galactica')

CD / 9 tracks / 76.00 mins

This album might sound like a compilation but apart from on the first track it contains all new music. It celebrates 30 years since his debut release. An absolutely gorgeous piano and electric guitar combination get ‘30 Years Before’ underway then Robert introduces the concept with music from his first album ‘Harmonic Ascendant’ in the background. ‘Hypnotics’ follows on with subtle drums and gorgeous swelling pads. A superb electric guitar type lead is used sparingly with a piano motif and various other melodies weaving round the central structure. What an exquisite track. ‘All You Can Dream’ gets into a head nodding rhythm with more gorgeous pads and a delicate echoing acoustic guitar loop drifting through the air. Sound samples are used from time to time which I don’t think are really necessary, as this is a beautiful track without them but some might find them quite humorous. ‘Modifiers’ has a sort of heartbeat quality before more driving rhythms and whooshing effects propel us forward. It’s a superb track with real attitude and brooding intensity. A very subtle piano melody can be heard low in the mix which is answered by stabbing lead and more fizzing effects. ‘Let it Flow’ has a rather cool stuttering beginning like awakening from a deep sleep, having a dreamy quality throughout, a silken lead adding to the tranquil atmos. ‘Destination Galactica’ is much more ominous until a Berlin School style sequence with tron backing break through. A foot tapping rhythm strikes up and five note melody bounces above it all. Syncopated flourishes add to the excitement. Things become even more intense as further blistering leads hit the spot perfectly, the mellotron swelling in response. Peace descends once more with ‘A New Message’. It has a lovely moody start and continues to develop into the most exquisite number with delicate melodies that uplift the soul and are full of positive vibes. The sounds chosen are just perfect and the delicate uncluttered production is spot on. ‘Mood Control’ is initially all swirling and gently syncopated, indeed it becomes rather hypnotic. A bouncy sequence nestles in the middle of the mix. From about the half way mark all structure dissolves and we enter a swirling psychedelic brew. Just lie back and chill. The title track brings the album to an end. It’s all gently rhythmic with mellow lead and sighing ethereal pads. DL

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