Gerd Emmens
Elektra
This album is somewhat of a surprise. Festooned with analogue modular wallpaper, the sleeve suggests we’re in for another “Berlin School” offering. The fact that the 3 part title track takes up over 50 minutes of the album reinforces the expectation. ‘Part 3’ is over 30 minutes long - other than space drift and sequencer epics, what else can occupy such a duration? Late 80’s / early 90’s uptempo pieces usually stick around the 5 minute mark - but string enough of them together and you can really come up with something very entertaining indeed. And that’s exactly what ‘Elektra’ is all about.

Fans of quality, modern, sequencing will be bowled over by this. It presents section after section of superbly constructed electro- rhythmics, bound together with some fine themes and textures. Few avenues are left unexplored. Chris Franke in ‘London Concert’ form often comes to mind, so does Robert Schroeder (eg from 20 mins into track 3), and inevitably TDream especially during the numerous bridging sections. Only the occasional dance beat, and the odd Enigma monkish chant, suggest that this was mainly recorded during 1998.

With so many differing styles that could be classified as EM in existence, it’s good to hear that there are still albums appearing which offer EM in its purest form. Make no mistake, this is one of ‘em. (GG)

This page is part of a frame set. If you can't see the information strip to the left of the screen then click on the smd logo above.