Jorg Schaaf
Sonar Experience
Trying to place the name? Well he was the other keyboard player on Klaus Schulze’s ‘Dosburg Online’. The first track ‘Awake’ sets a dramatic opening scene with what could be flight after flight of strange alien craft blasting past low overhead. ‘Sonorous supersonics’ takes over in gentle sequential yet melodic mode, reminding my very much of John Dyson on top form. This is a beautiful number which takes an ominous twist half way through. The sequences are always top notch as are the atmospherics at one moment joyous and the next sinister. ‘Fear I’ is a loud sonic blast of a bridging passage which takes us to ‘Turning point’ and what a cracking sequential, rhythmic chugger it is. Still highly expressive but with the sort of infectious quality that makes the body move to it on its own accord. The melodic pads really are wondrous to behold. A fantastic track which just gets better and better the further you get in. I just wish it could have gone on three times as long. ‘Fear II’ is another short, radical, haunting, bridging piece.

‘Psychosis Beat’ uses more 90’s sounding drums though not too in yer face. It develops and gets more and more into every nerve, again causing the body to move. The pervading atmosphere dwells on the darker side. ‘Sequencia’ as its name suggests is something of a sequencer blast, with accompanying great melody, solar wind and laser effects mixed together in the most, oh yes! way. ‘Fear III’ is, you guessed it, another very short weird bridging section. ‘Eric’s Birth’, begins with a tinkling sequence and develops into a relatively happy track. ‘Nighttrip’ on the other hand starts like one of the weird bridging tracks but we are then back into 90s rhythmic territory, I didn’t too much like the melody and it was the first time a dance rhythm was used but never mind, skip.

‘Laydown Sonics’ begins with some choice cosmic effects and gentle synth pads. It gets even more out in the ether as it progresses and is a superb drifter. ‘Wave Transmitter’ is another rhythmic chugger which steams us to ‘Last Point of Infinity’ which starts off with massed sirens then a firm, solid, menacing beat takes over but is softened by a piano melody, finishing a very enjoyable album off in a relaxed mood. (DL)

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