Pete Namlook & Klaus Schulze Dark Side of the Moog VII

Cosmic warbles and a slow sequence herald the first part of ‘Obscured by Klaus’ (heaven help us!), add to this some melancholy synth pads and we have a track that is instantly recognisable as the master. Another give away is the restrained (non operatic) female sample which is delicately used. Things then start to quicken considerably as more superb sequences are added, absolutely awesome. We move in to part two and the sequence increases in intensity and a deep bass rhythm thuds away in the background. This particular combination of beat and sequence is stunning and as the track goes on things just get better and better, the little embellishments working particularly well. Of all the ‘Dark Side’ series this track in my favourite.

Part three is the longest at nineteen minutes and for the most part is a real floater taking us to the outer regions of space, complete with cosmic winds and solar flares. Near the end a sequence does make a brief appearance but it does little to intrude on the atmosphere of complete calm, rather it just adds additional colour. Faint vocal samples can again be heard but they are as if on the edge of a dream. Part four brings in more strident sequences and it isn’t long before a heavy rhythm joins it. High hat effects are added and we hurtle faster through the ether. An almost ‘Close Encounters’ motif stands in isolation but is then repeated as the sequences and drums return. The pace keeps slowing and taking off again making this a very dynamic track and I loved every second of it. Part five consists of lush, almost symphonic pads and acts as a pleasant bridge to the final part. We are very much in cosmic realms again with delicate and sparse use of the piano to give some focus. The atmosphere is darker than before and I felt was leading to something rather than closing an album. Who knows could it be acting as a ‘to be continued’. Volume Eight perhaps? (DL)

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