Johannes Schmoelling White Out (Re-issue) Play: Lo-Fi   Mid-Fi   Hi-Fi   Download: Lo-Fi   Mid-Fi   Hi-Fi (Excerpt from track 'Icewalk (mix 2000)')

This album is one of my personal favourites of all time. It has been out of print now for some years and the original was fetching high prices. It has now been re-released in a very sympathetically remixed form (nothing like the treatment 'Zoo....' was given) keeping all the character of the original and with the addition of two completely new tracks and an additional version of 'Icewalk'. On this album Johannes left all safe preconceptions of what an electronic music album should sound like behind. There's loads of melody and nothing too outlandish its just how it is all put together that makes it stand out from the crowd.

The title track begins with a collage of effects which sounds like someone breathing through an aqualung under water with samples of radio communication accompanied by perfectly placed soft pads which gently swell. There are then various plucked string melodies and percussive effects. The combinations of sounds and lead lines really are unique. Its all highly atmospheric yet retaining drive and intrigue at all times- comments really that are relevant to all the tracks here. The layers of instrumentation become more intense but also increasingly accessible as the track progresses and it works itself up into quite a frenzy. 'Navigator's Chatter' starts with the sound of primitive sirens then its straight into a quirky melodic number with something of a French flavour. 'Icewalk' is one of the stand out tracks. Its slow and moody but the main melody though simple is captivating. Then half way through it suddenly changes to sounding like early Synergy but with a much more delicate touch. 'The Big Nail' begins with a combination of vocal loops which sounds like they were taken from switchboard operators then its into yet another fantastic lead line. I couldn't get it out of my head, it kept coming back even when taking the dog for a walk. It goes fast then slow and has a sort of skipping quality to it and again the sound chosen is just so perfect and so untypical for EM but it works superbly.

'Rain Echoes' is the first of the new tracks, and gives plenty of space to build up the atmosphere. It gets moodier all the time never staying still. Then well into the third minute in comes the guitar and heavy drums both played with attitude turning it into a very powerful track with a mean twist. 'Native Eye, Native Ear' is probably my favourite track of the lot. It consists of a slow piano melody and a simple sequence with colour being added here and there. It doesn't sound anything special from this description. But just listen to it and I hope you will see what I mean- awesome! Initially 'A Great Continent' is the most atmospheric, even slightly spooky track so far. The samples used adding to this feeling still further. Some are so abrupt and jarring they will almost make you jump. A sonar type sound picks up, more effects are added then another exquisite lead melody accompanied by electric guitar and great rhythm are chucked in and I'm in heaven (it's almost 'Underwater Sunlight'ish actually). 'A Long Way Home' is the second of the new tracks - and what a brilliant piece! Again the melody is fantastic - so infectious, and backed by ethereal pads placed perfectly in the mix. Perhaps one of the stongest pieces on the album!!

'Anian Path' is a soothing atmospheric track taking us to 'Icewalk (mix 2000)' which finishes the album off. Its excellent and more in yer face than the other version found on the CD. Perhaps this new version loses some of the subtlety of the source piece, but the rhythm is more distinct and it certainly does the track justice - and considering how imperious the original track is, this is no mean feat.