Various Artists Tasty Tracks Vol 1 Play: Lo-Fi   Mid-Fi   Hi-Fi   Download: Lo-Fi   Mid-Fi   Hi-Fi (Excerpt from track 'First Move (Bas Broekhuis)')

This is actually a demo disc for the Schrittmacher sequencer and features mainly Manikin label artists (the sequencer being developed by Manikin Electronics). The main interest to many people though will be that it also contains an otherwise unavailable track by Klaus Schulze (all the tracks here are new). As expected the sequencer is immediately deployed on the opener 'Are we Devils?' by Detlef Keller. First one line of pulsations surges forward then another. A percussive loop also steps into formation and we are motoring along at quite a rate. By the second minute yet more sequences are brought in alongside some nice little melodies. It's the sort of track that would be ideal for belting down the motorway- just within the speed limit of course! Wave World then give us 'Od Ban Ryaah'. Alien atmospheres float across the ether then a little tinkling sequence can be heard low in the mix but slowly rising. A mournful lead line floats over the top. So far it has all been very delicate and peaceful. A slow rhythm nestles low in the mix but gradually becomes a main feature and we bounce along quite nicely. Things just get better and better, exquisite little melodies combining with the subtle pulsation perfectly. It's my favourite track on the CD.

Mario Schonwalder replies to his musical partner's opener with 'We are Devils!'. Rapid metallic tinklings mix with other syncopation then a whirling rotor blade type sequence injects a great dollop of energy into proceedings. More drums come in and it's time to put the foot down again and get those hands tapping away on the steering wheel. Ron Boots comes up with 'Conjunction'. Initially it features a really nice splashing sequence to which is added a lovely chugging beat. The main melody ain't at all bad either. All together it goes to form an excellent slab of contemporary sounding electronica. There is just one rather strange thing about it though in that it has some very faint crackles in the background which I assume are an intentional part of the music, nevertheless, I did find them a little distracting.

Now comes the Klaus Schulze track simply named after the sequencer featured on this album (thus is also the title track). It only takes a few seconds and there are at least three sequencer lines going at the same time. Additional rhythm is added in the third minute. There is much morphing of the sequences as we go and things become increasingly more powerful. It certainly is a good work out for the new sequencer and I suppose that is what you would want on a disc designed to promote the instrument. Though it is by no means a typical Schulze piece it's a track which I have come to appreciate more and more with each play.