Keller & Schonwalder & Friends Live @ Dorfkirsche Repelen Play Sample:   56K Dialup   Broadband   Download Sample:   500K   1.5Mb (Excerpt from track(s) 'Walking')

The friends in question this time are Bas Broekhuis, Raughi Ebert and Thomas Kagermann. A lovely piano melody gently floats above soft washes of synth in a rather Vangelis way. 'The Beginning' continues with a slow but insistent bass sequence and rather Schulzian drum flourishes, courtesy of Bas. A second sequence adds to the pulsating nature of the track. Melodic lead lines weave their spell, combining wonderfully with some lovely rhythmic acoustic guitar. By the ninth minute we get some gorgeous low violin playing. The five musicians are all working in perfect harmony without cluttering the soundstage at all, each adding just the right vital element to a perfect mix. A stunning opener.

'Caravan of the Melancholy' starts with a repeated refrain on the guitar mixing with subtle rhythms and haunting lead line. It all goes together in a rather hypnotic way. The low violin tones, once again, mix beautifully with the rest of synthesized sounds adding something of a wistful mystical quality. The sounds and sequences used on 'Walking' reminded me very much of Peter Bauman's 'Trans Harmonic Nights', especially the moody 'This Day' track. Here however we have the addition of some delicate guitar playing. Wispy little ethereal pads add a slightly haunting element. As we go on the pace quickens but this seems to intensify the beauty of the piece even more rather than upset the perfect balance of rhythm and melody so carefully crafted. It really is an exquisite number. We get straight into a sequence on 'Magic Pure'. Bas adds some more excellent rhythms and the violin once more weaves its spell.