Various Artists
Electronic Highlights
This is an excellent overview of the energetic melodic music available on Lambert Ringlage's Spheric Music label. We jump right in with the lively, infectious rhythms of 'Serenity' by Driftin' Thoughts. With its bouncy beats and very catchy melodies, this is a very fun way to start things off. As a nice counterpoint, Palantir's 'The Flight' is a more relaxed affair, again with good sequencing and electronics, plus classic synth leads. Though Lambert recently released his own sampler, he is featured three times here as well.

A snippet of 'Immersion' from his 'Dimensions of Dreams' CD is featured, with some strong guitar work to go with his always strong sequencer arrangements. Next up is Norman Friedenberger, who I'm not at all familiar with, but that doesn't lessen the enjoyment of his contribution, a light, bubbly piece of electronic effusiveness. Jiannis is superb, as usual, with an excerpt of 'Zoomland I' from his 'Nightsessions' CD. Note all of the tracks on the sampler are available on the respective artists' CDs, no bonus tracks for completists. Clearly, this is intended as a good summary to whet appetites for the electronically uninitiated. 'Homeward Bound' by Rudolf Heimann is emotional and majestic, with a Vangelis style of grandeur. Deep, booming timpani, bright piano and synth flutes play off each other very well.

Next up is 'Way To Paradise from Apeiron's CD 'Imagic,' followed by 'Intrinsic,' by Tranquillity. I'm familiar with about half the material on this CD from the original releases, but this is one of the tracks I had missed. That's what I enjoy most about samplers, is finding an overlooked gem, and for me this was it. Excellent sequencing, dramatic pacing, and, well, I just love the particular sounds used, and how they are combined. The energy builds, then crests and falls, leaving in its wake some beautiful synth flutes. Easily my favourite on the CD, just wonderful.

The disc finishes strong with four tracks from four stellar electronic releases, from the very Schulzian 'Secrets Of The Night' by Jiannis and Lambert, to the closing track, a well-placed excerpt from 'Trancession 2' by Lambert Ringlage and Stephen Parsick. If you don't already own all the original titles, this disc will help you decide which ones to buy that you missed, which could very well end up being all of them. (PD)

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