Hemisphere Destination Infinity Play Sample:   56K Dialup   Broadband   Download Sample:   500K   1.5Mb (Excerpt from track(s) 'Night Crossing')

This is a remaster of an album released originally back in 1992. Hemisphere is A.K.A Ralf Knappe – Heinbockel, whom the sleeve notes record sadly passed away at the age of 44.

This is the first I had heard of him, and I have to say that this is really quite an impressive CD, which just gets better and better on each play. I should also add that if you are a fan of Schmoelling era Tangerine Dream you will love parts of this CD, but there is so much more going on here, although I reckon that the TD influenced material is much the weaker. Nowhere is this more evident than on the opening track – Night Crossing – all 12 minutes of it. The piece revolves a rather repetitive beat, augmented by swirling synths, and to be honest the TD influence is rather TOO obvious. It is also a strange choice for the opening track – more of which later. Deep Cut is however much, much better. It is completely different in style and incredibly impressive. It has some excellent, and very moving ambient electronics, and the contrast to the proceeding track is a bit of an eye opener. I particularly liked its almost choral feel, and indeed there are voices in accompaniment as it comes to an end.

Inner Life, at 3 minutes, 45 seconds, is another TD influenced piece, sounding for all the world like something from one of their numerous soundtracks – very Wavelength or Flashpoint. It's ok if you like that sort of thing! Turning Point, initially sounded to me like early Kitaro! It starts off with those "chime like" chords, which were often found in his early work. However I much liked the track's rhythmic feel, achieved without percussion I might add, and again the synth work is very impressive. Exciting Impression revolves around a very relaxed sounding sequencer. It's the sort of track that might have been recorded at 3.AM in the morning, and actually deserves to be played at that time too! This is a great track, which truly lives up to its title. Moments of Darkness is, somehow, even better. Initially I was reminded of TD's Legend soundtrack, but then I wondered if Ralf had been listening to Steve Roach (much of his earliest work was very Berlin School influenced) or Robert Rich, as this fantastic piece could have been by either, and that is the highest compliment I can pay. No sequencers here. Just great slabs of electronic sound that are a million miles away from the opening track.

Spirit of the Age brings us back to TD territory again (albeit the 1990's as opposed to the 1980's), and I regret to report that it is clichéd and awful! Thankfully it is the shortest track on the CD. Next up is the title track, which is also the longest piece. This is more like it. Very similar to Moments of Darkness and equally impressive. It gets especially "weird" around the six minute mark, and again at 9 minutes. The way the track moves towards its finale is of the highest quality ambient electronics. Brave stuff. The wonderfully titled "Tales of the Backside"(!), couldn't be more different again. There is a wonderful sense of childlike innocence and naiveté about it. Given its title, I wondered if it was meant as a joke. Final Memories is the last track on the original CD, and it brings us back to ambient territory. Inevitably given Ralf's untimely death, the track has an extra resonance about it. This remaster also has a bonus track called Stars. More quietly understated ambience, and a rather beautiful track to finish the CD.