Arcanum & Friends Klang-Raum-Wort X Play: Lo-Fi   Mid-Fi   Hi-Fi   Download: Lo-Fi   Mid-Fi   Hi-Fi (Excerpt from track 'Konzert 2003')

As the booklet is in German it is difficult for me to understand but from what I can make out the concept of this disc is a rather strange one. Don't let that put you off however as if you are into gentle melodic music this should fit the bill perfectly. I think the first disc comprises a concert from 2003 with an added bonus of the last track being taken from 2000. The second disc however is basically a Various artists compilation of, as far as I can make out (in all but one case) new tracks by all the artists who were on stage with Arcanum during the concert.

The first disc is made up of six parts with spoken text in German between each part. The First Part gets straight into a steady groove with subtle melodic backing. This really is first-rate stuff, laid back but hitting the spot perfectly. Part Two starts very moodily with slow pads setting the atmosphere, a gentle percussive loop adding a little detail over the top. More beautiful lead lines drift through the ether, the overall result being extremely beautiful though also somewhat melancholy. Both these parts were duos with Udo Mattusch. For Part Three, Otarion (who is present on most of the rest of this disc) replaces Udo. A rhythm starts to form and again the accompanying leads are exquisite. I float along in a blissful trance until the spoken interlude. Bas Broekuis and Mandy Klinksiek join Arcanum and Otarion for Part Four. A staccato sequence bubbles underneath some simply stunning soft pads and fantastic piano lead line. Just before the half way mark we get some rhythmic flourishes courtesy, I presume, of Bas. These add just that little extra oomph but without adversely affecting the exquisite atmosphere already built up. Mandy departs for Part 5 but the piano still conjures up some wonderful melodies. The final part sees Keller & Schonwalder joining Arcanum and Otarion, weaving a lovely syncopated spell with drums and sequences combining perfectly. The pace quickens as we go, the sequences becoming more insistent and melodic all the time, synth flute adding a little softness in the background. The last track on the first CD, from an earlier concert, begins with cosmic twitters out of which a sequence starts to form. The overall feel is restrained and rather moody especially when the lead line enters in the seventh minute.

We open the second disc with 'Silent Waves' by Udo Mattusch. From what I can make out Udo had something to do with Robert Schroeder's superb 'Harmonic Ascendant' album but I'm not sure what! A lovely tinkling sequence is accompanied by ethereal pads. Another sequence is brought into play then the character of the piece changes markedly as a flute comes in. It's as if there is a gentle rain through which the sun suddenly shines casting rainbows in the sky. It's a simply gorgeous, though not remotely twee piece. The magnificent Rainer Klein (aka Otarion) then contributes 'Bach to Earth'. Initially we are right out in the cosmos. Solar flares mix with cosmic winds. Note droplets fall then echo into the distance. Strings add that twist of sadness. The mood lightens with a piano lead line then we get a classic Otarion style rhythmic build up, one drum line being added after another. More lead lines and mellotron then finish things off creating a piece full of excitement and intensity but also beauty. Bas Broekhuis donates 'The Beauty of the Beast'. This was also included on the out of print Limited Edition CD 'Eintrittskarte'. A delicate melodic loop echoes in the air. Around this a slow rhythm forms. It is a nice enough track but maybe a little too subtle for my tastes. Detelf Keller's 'Question Mark' initially creates a feeling of awe and wonder. A slow sequence and percussive loop then increase the pace a little as my head nods gently in time to the music. In the fifth minute another rhythm is added and now my feet start moving as well. It is hardly any surprise with Bas and Detlef providing the previous tracks that Mario Schonwalder should appear next. 'Am Anfang' is initially rather melancholy then we get a brass lead line which put me right in Spaghetti Western mode! It's so moody, but with a rather tense edge. We leave just before the gunfight to move on to a track by Bernd Braun (aka Arcanum) himself.