Ruediger Lorenz Tropica

‘Tropica’ is his fourteenth album. ‘IncaCaravan’ makes use of sounds that appear to be half human, half machine and blown through vast pipes. Synth textures and flute sounds are added. A tribal type rhythm and strange chants are introduced over which are the sounds of some odd wind instruments. ‘Ayacucho’ makes use of odd flute noises but with a more distinct melody over a soft relaxed rhythm. All is then change at just under three minutes as something that sounds like wind blowing over vast wires changes the mood of the number entirely and we enter much more abstract territory. Very complex and intriguing. At five minutes as we get a flamenco type acoustic guitar, all on its own, no synth backing at all. Another gentle rhythm is then added then is replaced by percussion and a haunting synth lead. The guitar, wind blown wires and flute all return at the beginning of ‘Aconcagua’, forming a very strange combination but then a drum beat and the flute strike up together and produce what sounds like an ancient dance! At around five minutes we descend into swirls of synth, though that mutant flute is never far away. We finish with what could be a theme to a Western. Look I told you this would be different!

The first half of ‘Kirgisia’ could be described as ambient with Islamic overtones but a frantic rhythm dominates the second half combining superbly with the Islamic references of before. Most people will find this the most accessible track on the album as it uses references that are more easily pin-pointed. On ‘SumatraRain’ we get the sounds of running water and gongs. Things then move on and a melody is played over syncopated percussion. The sound of running water becomes more prominent but before long we return to the gongs and a warbling lead line. A beautiful Eastern tinged female vocal dominates.