Rolf Trostel Recall Level

Manikin records keep up their tradition of re-releasing classics from the past by turning their attention to Rolf Trostel. They’ve rescued his three early eighties albums from obscurity, namely ‘Inselmusik’, ‘Two Faces’ and ‘Der Prophet’. All complete - without bits missing. No messing about here, straight into the sequence, a big bass one with high hat accompaniment. Combine this with razor sharp lead lines and the set gets underway in stomping fashion, about as delicate as a Bernard Manning after dinner speech. Vintage synth effects abound with the second track and another plonking slab of PPG sequencing bounces along playfully. Great cosmic metallic splashes then intrude over what sounds like an orchestra tuning up. From this chaos another sequence emerges and the lead line now takes on eastern overtones. The chaos returns and we move on to track three. This has a very atmospheric first half, heart rending even. A very weird / processed organ sound is used as well as all manner of other synth touches to give it a rather apocalyptic feel. Sequences are then added with a combination of high register splashes and much deeper bass rumblings. We move on to the final track from the ‘Inselmusik’ album. By now we are used to Rolf’s formula for sequencing but he goes through many variants of it on this number, it must have sounded breath taking at the time. The first track from the second album ‘Two Faces’ is next. It has the great title ‘I love Europe’ but don’t we all, even the........... (please enter your own choice here). The sequences become more lively and the bass content seems more subtle. The next track comes over as being rather quirky though I imagine that was the last thing he intended with the title ‘It is war in Europe’.I wonder how difficult it was, however, in the early eighties to get all these sequences in synch. The second half of the track does come over much more melancholy than the first and finishes with a sort of siren sound. The last track on the first CD has the best combination of sequences so far, they immediately get into the groove and don’t let up even though they shift nicely as the piece progresses.

The final two tracks from ‘Two Faces’ appear at the end of the second CD and are pleasant enough but to me the best on show over these two CDs comes with the third album ‘Der Prophet’. It becomes apparent that Rolf’s sequencing is refining with each album though still basically sticking to a style that is all his own. The opening title track is particularly impressive, very strident and confident. The depth of the bass on the second track is absolutely amazing.. The sequences combine perfectly to create music that would get you bopping around the room and dodging ornaments shaken from the shelves as the sonic booms hit them. The third track is dominated by the most realistic heart beat sound I have ever heard synthesized, you can just feel blood being pumped around the body. This is a short number however and we are soon on to the next chugging monster ‘New Age of Intelligence’. Superb rhythmic pulsations from beginning to end. ‘Town Dreamer’ is a very optimistic and happy piece full of energy. Next we have the final track which keeps up the first class form of previous numbers. These two CDs here are for sequencer maniacs only. I first discovered then in the early 90s but I know many won’t have had chance to hear these before. Manikin are to be congratulated in letting a new generation of sequencer fans hear this slab of Electronic Music history. (DL)

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