Stephen Parsick
Traces of the Past Redux
CD / 10 tracks / 74.58 mins
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Download Sample:   500K   1.5Mb
(Excerpt from track(s) 'Close Beneath the Surface')

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The original of this album has gone down as something of a Berlin School classic - deservedly so. It was so good that the initial pressing (released about ten years ago) sold out almost instantly and then was never seen again. To many this is the best album that Stephen Parsick ever had a hand in - even better than the first two Ramp CDs. Stephen has since moved on to producing somewhat darker music but even so he has found time to tenderly remix and remaster the original as well as adding some new tracks which as far as I can see were also recorded around the same time. As is often the case Stephen is aided on some of the tracks by his friend Klaus Hoffmann-Hoock. 'Submerging' starts the album in a state of atmospheric drift. The choice of sounds are simply exquisite - all very analogue, constantly changing and gently pulsating, bringing up all sorts of images with a large dollop of melancholy thrown in for good measure. This is atmospheric music of the very highest order.

The next track 'Close Beneath The Surface' could well find a place in most SMD customers' top ten tracks ever. The sequencing is simply stunning in both power and pattern. The guitar playing at one moment is of the most beautiful space guitar variety and the next becomes more upfront and increases in intensity as the sequence builds and builds but without ever becoming too dominant, leaving the synths to tell the story but still taking on an essential supporting role. If you like sequencer music and don't think this is one of the most amazing tracks ever I would be greatly surprised. 'Cosmic Jellyfish' and 'Green Depth' act as short laid back tracks and are rather welcome in order to regain ones composure after what has gone before. As with the opener however the choice of sounds chosen is exquisite especially the mellotron and flutey synth in the latter. We now have the first of the new tracks 'Hydra'. Electronic twitters shimmer over a deep space throb. Two more delicate sequences emerge accompanied by the most wonderful deep echoing flute lead. The second new one 'Ashram' bounces along at quite a rate, the sequence giving it real energy emphasised by some excellent guitar. It has a real Ashra feel to it. Next we have the amazing (now sixteen minute) 'Totem Poles' After a minute of drift a lead line like a solar flare exploding from the sun brings the track to life. Close on its heels we have a bass sequence which really does make the floor shake. I am reminded of late 70s Schulze and fans of this period should surely be sent into raptures. A moody soaring lead line brings the track to its conclusion.

'The Keeper of Time' is the third new piece and what a superb addition it is too as massed mellotrons do their wonderful thing creating quite a melancholy mood. 'Quicksilver Sea' is another very restrained and moody number, initially coming over like early 70s Schulze. Gorgeous space guitar provides a little delicate melodic detail over the top. Stephen, as well as being a master of the sequencer can put together some of the most stunning relaxing tracks I have ever heard. Finally we have the title track. Windy effects mix with more gorgeous mellotron. Later on angelic pads are introduced creating quite a spiritual feel but are also very haunting and full of sorrow. This is one instance where the reissue is even better than the original, and that is REALLY saying something. Miss this album at your peril! (DL)

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