Cosmic Hoffmann Outerspace Gems CD / 9 Tracks / 60.47 mins Play Sample:   56K Dialup   Broadband Download Sample:   500K   1.5Mb (Excerpt from track(s) 'Galaxy Rising')

This is the second album of previously unreleased music recorded by Klaus between 1978 and 1985. Rapid sequences are brought into play immediately on 'Up to the Stars'. All sorts of sonic twitters and solar flares fly over the top. The pulsations then subside a little to allow organ type sounds to become the main feature but they keep coming back like waves of pure energy. It's a real melting pot of wonderful analogue sounds. 'Megasun' is initially all ominous deep rumbling bass. Things lighten up around the half way mark as little flourishes make their mark. It's as if we have heard the aftermath of some huge explosion then after the dust has settled life starts to emerge once more. A rhythmic loop gets 'Cosmic ChaCha' underway. A sequence falls into formation with the beats. A tentative synth lead starts to take its first steps and builds as the track progresses to become a real force. This is a much better track than the title might make you think, a little early Tim Blake. 'Galaxy Rising' is full of lush mellotron (something that was to become a real trademark of Klaus). There is something of an early of Tangerine Dream feel here. It's a lovely track. 'Spacewards' is again analogue heaven as we drift on a sea of soft pads. Windy whooshing effects take over transporting us to eerie realms with a melancholy edge. Around the half way mark a tinkling sequence emerges. More sequences are added and soon we have a mass of echoing pulsations. Things become quite intense but massed pads return and from time to time gain the upper hand once more. 'Magellanic Cloud' begins with a clock tick type sequence and more 'tron. These subside and a deep reverberating drone takes over. Things really do become quite spaced out with the mellotron returning from time to time. 'Attic Music' is a real cosmic trip, all rather lush, again with mellotron taking an important role. 'Cassini Division' has a similar feel to the previous number but with a little less 'tron and if anything is even more laid back. 'Black Hole Magic' features gentle guitar over soothing pads and is a nice relaxed way to finish the album. (DL)

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