Various Artists Gold Tri Vol 1

Golden Triangle is an internet mailing list devoted to the discussion of most aspects of EM. They’ve decided to put together a compilation CD containing many new names, as well as a few that should be well known to smd members. Most of the tracks are otherwise unavailable. First up we have Kent Eskildsen under the name of Timescape and what a superb track it is too! Great combinations of rhythmic synth and guitar which really got my feet moving. Fanger and Kersten donate a track called ‘Tapedriver’ which will be appreciated by those into trance & dance. The second new name to me was JoxBox who give us a promising rhythmic / sequencer outing 90s style. Paul Nagle contributes a rather rocky number with the fantastic name of ‘Captain Edgar Buys a New Fish’. Paul Lawler comes up with a track from his latest album. My favourite track so far is a superb sequencer romp by Free System Project, anyone into 70s TD will love this one. 4A’s ‘Hatred on an Imaginary Monorail’ was really not to my taste as the short repeated sequence wasn’t that special and just seemed to go on and on - sorry. Not to worry because next up is our very own Dave Barker with ‘Transform’. This track was one of the first things I ever heard by Dave, and I was convinced enough to release his CD so yes I rather like it! The Gigantic Legless Cauldrons come up with a short number with a reasonable sequence but the lead lines were a bit too piercing for my liking. Bringing the first disc to a close is a 15 minute number by AirSculpture containing some lovely atmospheric bits plus their trademark organic sequences. T-Bass UK start the second disc with a live version of ‘A Question of Time’ (from EMMA 4) A studio version of which will be on their next album ‘Generator’. It is a very fine melodic / rhythmic track which makes me very eager to hear more. Next is the best track on this entire 2 CD set. It is called ‘Flussinger Vier Takter’ and is by Under The Dome. It starts deceptively with ticking clocks then a piano / acoustic guitar section before the mood changes radically and we get full a analogue / sequential blast. It is worth the price of the album for this track alone. In fact I liked it so much that Under the Dome will be the next new act on SMD’s label Neu Harmony! After a track from Eric Snelders' latest album we have a superb gently rhythmic outing with delicate sequencer lines and some really nice atmospheric textures by Keller & Schonwalder called ‘Stumbled in Derby’. Ashok Prema donates the track ‘Unicorn’ from his latest album then we get the group Ramp (Lambert Ringlage , Stephen Parsick and Frank Makowski) who present a mid paced rhythmic piece underpined with tinkling sequencer and 80s TD sounding lead lines over the top. Satsuma Nightmare (!) come up with a prog tinged plodder which leads us to Synthetic Block who provide an interesting track that I think could be a real grower. Now what can I say about the next track by wEirD? The clue really is in its title ‘Manuel Gearchange’. If someone had told me this was an Ashra out take I could very easily have believed it. The guitar playing in particular is a dead ringer for Mr Gottsching himself from the Correlations / Belle Alliance period. To finish the project off we have a track by Decapolis which was a bit too laid back and mid tempo for me but I know this sort of style goes down well in the USA and as with the other tracks here goes to show what a wide span of music is encompassed within the EM banner. Well done to all involved with this compilation and may the Golden Triangle go on from strength to strength. (DL)

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