Fanger & Schonwalder Analog Overdose (Ricochet Dream Edition) Play: Lo-Fi   Mid-Fi   Hi-Fi   Download: Lo-Fi   Mid-Fi   Hi-Fi (Excerpt from track 'Liquid Tape 3 (Sentimental)')

Is a review of this CD really necessary? The title and pedigree of the series should let you know exactly what territory we're exploring. This is 100% retro heaven from the opening to closing seconds.

'Electronic Mirrors Ch. II-iV' weighs in at a healthy 28.10 minutes and is a live recording from the Petrus Kirche in Berlin. The opening is appropriately subdued, very in keeping with venue. Organ tones and abstract effects take us straight to the mid seventies! Vaguely demonic sounds enter the mix, as if something has been awakened from below. Sonar notes come and go and mellotron choirs enter the mix – this is a very sombre tone piece. An aching, melancholic lead line and heavily reverberated electronic piano add melodic content. We end with swathes of mellotron and abstract effects.

Symphonic pads and classic mellotron tones open 'Encore'. Tortured 'EMS'- type effects are added. Mellotron flutes take us on 'that' journey again towards the familiar rumble of distant sequences. Slowly, but deliberately, a muscular mid-register sequence comes into focus, and it's a corker! A simple, bouncing bass sequence falls into line, mellotron adds colour, and a brassy lead line, very late 70's, flies over the top. Do I really have to mention TD at this point? An abstract interlude silences the sequences at the 16 minute mark. Eventually, we come to a close with mellotron tones and a simple synth lead – very evocative.

'Liquid tape 6' and 'EMS No 1' are short, tone pieces. Both are very experimental, without any real melodic content.

'Liquid Tape 3 (Sentimental)' is another live recording, this time from 'Liquidrom' in Berlin. Piano and mellotron get things under way, and it certainly sounds sentimental! Truly gorgeous analogue synth lines ebb and flow in the background. A very slow, melodic sequence is gradually introduced along with splashing, white noise-type percussion. A 'vibraphone' melody is deployed and the backing becomes more symphonic. A second, more rhythmic sequence is added. Grand piano details add emotion. This is a beautiful piece of music, with hints of both 'Exit' and 'Logos' era TD. Gradually the rhythmic elements fade and an abstract section enters with symphonic pads, bell tones and whale calls. Disc one ends.

Disc 2 contains a mere 3 tracks, with the third weighing in at a whopping 53 minutes and 8 seconds! All 3 tracks are live, the first 2 from the Liquidrom, the third from Toskana Therme. Lush pads, mellotron choir and 'tinkling', bell-like effects introduce 'Liquid Tape 4 (The liquid Art)'.

Symphonic pads swell in the background. Like so much of this CD it evokes late 70's TD, not surprising given the 'Ricochet Dream' association. After 6 minutes things become very abstract with metallic clangs and the sounds of deep space communications. We slowly fade to the end.

'Liquid Tape 5' opens with vast choral sounds and abstract effects. Deep electronic drones add atmospheric depth, and then a rapid mid-register sequence is unleashed. Analogue polysynth notes swell from the depths to be joined by a beautifully filter-swept lead. Heavy bass synth notes add to the rhythmic tapestry. A busy hi-hat pattern and high register sequence are the final pieces of the jigsaw. Just sit back and enjoy, this is absolute heaven.