Rob Essers A Lizards Walk

Warning! Anyone susceptible to comparisons, descriptions, extrapolations, derivations, or references to Tangerine Dream of any kind should stop reading this review now, because after hearing this CD a few times I know I'm going to be pushed not to mention TD quite a few times (the count is 2 already). Rob Essers, responsible for the classic 'Raincolours' which I have spouted on about many times (but hey, it's a winner!), returns to the fray with 'A Lizards Walk'. 3 tracks only take up the 52 minutes, and the opening 'Phase 1' (7:49) is a superb pace-setter with top class rhythmics and sequences supplementing velvet pads and chords which sound straight off a late 1980's TD album such as 'Dead Solid Perfect'. At the 5 minute mark spacey layers are introduced, again to great effect. 'Phase 2' (25:12) sets off with a sharp melody picked out on classic harpsichord synths before an excellent sequence starts to break through. Strip out the guitar and sax from some of the later TD albums and mix the sequences more forward and you get what Rob Essers is producing here. The 8 minute mark brings a change to electric piano and wispy pads, picked out with such expertise that Paul Haslinger could easily be guesting. A heavy beat breaks the calm, very soon to be joined by filter swept sequences. For a few minutes the music gather's itself, with no element grasping the focus. Suddenly though gargantuan chords hit home via some pincer like sequence stabs. The melody is deep and penetrating, akin to some of those epic pieces from 'Raincolours'. No time to waste though, and soon it fades to be bridged into more sequential trickery with (again) those trademark pads in attendance. As the phase nears its end some delicious lead synth is introduced, sounding almost like TD's 'Love On a Real Train' supplemented with a main theme. 'Phase 3' (19:06) continues the pattern of bridging shorter pieces into one long track. A sumptuous and infectious flute led theme is confidently delivered to open the phase, showing how melodically skilled Rob Essers can be. Mellotron flute makes a surprise appearance for a time (as the sleevenotes say, "Vintage pieces were prepared to sound just that: VINTAGE") then slowly a classic 70's TD style sequence begins to emerge. Before it establishes itself though it fades, but just before disappointment sets in another superb (but more modern sounding) sequence is cranked up to take control. Slight variations emerge then fade until at the 14 minute mark drums are introduced and a more extended piece takes control. Those beguiling dense chords are used to perfection, and the sequencing around the 16 minute mark is simply tremendous with the end of the track coming all too soon. Comparisons to Tangerine Dream are simply unavoidable while listening to this stunning album, but really any EM fan will be bowled over by Rob Essers on this form - and he makes it all sound so easy! Take the melodic guile of 'Raincolours' and combine it with superior rhythmics and sequences and the result can only be one thing - another Rob Essers special! (GG)

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