Gert Emmens – Waves of dreams

12 reviews for Gert Emmens – Waves of dreams

1. 

   Sylvain Lupari / Guts of Darkness – 2022-11-22

   Doubtless, the music of Gert Emmens is one of the most full of imagery in contemporary EM. A little as big names in progressive music, Emmens succeed in structuring a music which is listening as much as she is telling. Waves of Dreams is among albums that won’t get astray within time. A musical tale, in 6 chapters, which explores an extremely rich sound fauna with its howling synths, aleatory sequences which flutter in all directions and its dense Mellotron to foggy atmospheres.

   This splendid journey filled of strong elaborated sounds and tones begins with After the Rain. A quixotic finger touches lightly the surface of water to widen multiple waves that are sound circles. This elfic intro is breaking on low curves of a swaying sequence which lazes beneath a soft Mellotron. The synth filters its harmonious breezes, whereas the sequencer is quietly getting astray in a heavy synth mist. These atmospheric moments which interfere in Waves of Dreams are tinted with fascinating sound effects, creating an active musical life. On this passage strange pulsations act as percussions, on a ghostly structure where a sequencer proposes an odd march, accompanied by a shadowy Mellotron. After the Rains 3rd movement is a soft sonorous sparkling which titillates on chords of a Mellotron violin. The structure is soft and filled of pulsations build upon hardly formed sparkling percussions, synth choirs and a soft synth which roars in a mystic fog while filtering beautiful hemmed solos that will be lost in a cosmic silence.
   Another Time, Another Place pierces this silence by freeing notes that float on a hesitating Mellotron. Arpeggios swarm of a new life with a sequence which is slowly accentuating the pace. Spectral synth on dark background, the musical structure deviates to become uncertain and to embraces stratospheric limbs. A short moment of calm which breaks on an alert sequencer with its heavy notes which swirl on hesitating bends to be melting in a heavy atmosphere filled of synth solos so unique to Gert Emmens.
   The title track begins on a cosmic wind where fine chords flutter on the back of a suave Mellotron. An astral intro with a magnificent vocal presence which pushes ethereal laments on a soft waltz with too much slow movement to be danced, but perfect to loved. Through this beauty, we hardly felt the presence of a sequence which shaped its structure to reach a more livened up cadence, but all in suppleness. Waves of Dreams will fly between rhythms with a surprising sensibility for a synth musical work.
   Dawn is a superb cosmic tribal track starting with amazing sequenced arpeggios which float lazily on a very spatial Mellotron before forming a more sustained pace around percussions been born on the rustle of steel sheets, creating an eclectic sound universe which is shaping in an unsuspected coherence. The sequencers play on a synth that watches such a cosmic lighthouse is simply stunning.
   In particular finale which explodes on a strange environment weighed down by the prisms of sequences which sparkle with a renewed imagination near the crossing of atmospheres from Heading Towards Unknown Destinations. If you thought of having heard everything, your ears will be surprised again. First Nations tom-toms go out of this cosmic atmosphere to set the tone to a quick march which rushes into the twilights of the sound strangenesss of Gert Emmens‘s solos. A superb movement which amazes, both by its tempo eroded by the thick synth layers and the tom-toms tones. Hooked at our speakers, we are entering into a huge hypnotic musical storm, like these tales where the innocent tries to avoid the vile, on a stunning sequenced race which ends in sequential stammering. An amazing music piece that its better to listen to than trying to describe it. This is simply great electronic art built upon a musical vision which doesn’t stop to amaze.
   Bright Spot on a Grey Day enclose this opus filled of complex and melodious sound meanders on familiar musical structures; sclerozed wind, nervous sequential arpeggios on a waltzing but balanced Mellotron and perfect sound effects on a structure which tries to develop its pace. All in melody, Emmens deepens his artistic approach to lead us on a rhythmic with beautiful spatial harmonies. Everything is soft until the rhythm is getting astray in a black hole where dark winds paralyze sequences to reshape them into fluttering metallic pads. Too much busy to care, the wind oversight the strengths of Mellotron which reties its melodious airs on weak percussions which lurch towards limbo.

   To me, Waves of Dreams is a magnificent album. The kind that will become a classic in modern EM area, just like Free System Projekts Impulse or Frank Spechts Sebastian Im Traum. A great album that continues what Wanderer of Time has started; the opening of a great synthesist and composer that amazes and bewitches at each listening, especially because of this melodious ingenuity of sequencing.

   2011. Sylvain Lupari / Guts of Darkness

2. 

   Edgar Kogler – 2022-11-22

   This CD by Gert Emmens is an excellent work in electronic music at the purest cosmic style.
   In Waves of Dreams” we find six compositions full of sensitivity and electronic romanticism. The composer proves his great imagination by creating a powerful music

3. 

   Bill Binkelman / Wind & Wire – 2022-11-22

   Gert Emmens type of EM reminds me of progressive fusion/prog rock from the late 60s or early 70s (e.g. Yes, King Crimson, and Rush, to name a few). I don’t make this comparison in a musical sense, but rather because of how he structures his long compositions.
   A popular convention back then for the aforementioned groups was to compose long pieces and give them separately titled movements” in which different musical themes would be explored

4. 

   Matt Howarth / Sonic Curiosity – 2022-11-22

   This release from 2004 features 72 minutes of lively Berlin School electronics.

   Exquisite sequencing provides a heavenly foundation for bewitching rhythms that mount gradually, accreting energy and velocity until they reach a state of cosmic caprice. This joviality is nicely tempered with a serious undercurrent that generates a devastating satisfaction with its well-rounded resonance. Cyclic patterns rise and flourish, evolving and exploring variations with crafty design.
   Deeply trembling chords become tinged with angelic airs. Tempos unfurl with resolute determination, twirling and propelling the melodies with a softly emphatic drive. Mellotrons produce rich embellishments to the densely layered electronics. Harmonics swarm and collide, merging to create fresh tonalities, all guided by nimble fingers into fascinating tunes.
   Some of the tracks exhibit a distinctly romantic flair, becoming soundtracks for ardent lovers who lounge on their urban balconies and stare at a nocturnal sky filled with shooting stars. As night slips into morning, the music refuses to shed its dreamlike qualities, boldly ready to face the day with burgeoning exhilaration.

   Emmens builds fascinating melodies that cavort amid a backdrop of astral ambience. Hints abound of the mans retro influences, but he has developed these roots into mature styles of his own.

   2005. Matt Howarth / Sonic Curiosity

5. 

   Michael Foster / Ambient Visions – 2022-11-22

   Gert Emmens is amongst those artists who are getting better every time they release a new CD Waves Of Dreams” is no exception to this rule. Again

6. 

   Kevin Fechter / U.S.A. – 2022-11-22

   EXCELLENT SOUND. ..REMINDS ME OF LISTENING TO ALAN PARSONS…SOOTHING..GREAT LISTENING AT WORK…MOTIVATES AS WELL AS SOOTHES THE SOUL….

   2005. Kevin Fechter / U.S.A.

7. 

   Marco Franchin / Italy – 2022-11-22

   Got this one too. More melodic than Wanderer of time for me but still good sound on it.

   2005. Marco Franchin / Italy

8. 

   Donato Zoppo – 2022-11-22

   Diavolo d’un Pablo Magne! L’illustratore di fiducia della Groove ha colpito ancora, realizzando una copertina suggestiva come poche altre. Ricorda un disco simile dei Firefall, un altro di Echo And The Bunnymen, qualcosina anche di Pink Floyd e Alan Parsons. Insomma non c’ modo migliore per presentare un disco. E il cd altrettanto interessante, pienamente in linea con le produzioni retro/Berlin school” dell’olandese Groove.
   Olandese anche l’artista di cui parliamo

9. 

   Bill Field – 2022-11-22

   I just received the cd in perfect condition and after listening to it, I had to drop you a note telling what a helluva job you guys did on this cd! This is my first Emmens and I sure hope he has more like this out there. This is the best new music I’ve experienced in a LONG time and I have quite a nasty (yet legal!) addiction to this stuff.
   Thanks for the great job!

   2006. Bill Field

10. 

    Stephen Ruby / Midwest Electronic Music Org. – 2022-11-22

    Gert Emmens has clearly defined the Berlin School of E-music in a way few have accomplished. There is a degree of satisfaction that is as refreshing as it is compelling, witnessed by my listeners on Monday nights @ Wisconsin Public Radio.
    Waves of Dreams further enhances Gert’s style among the Synth heavyweights, propelling the listener through journeys of vast soundscapes full of gentle washes of electronic color.
    Since we aired Wanderer of Time” two weeks ago Gert now has a solid fan base in the U.S.
    Now

11. 

    Phil Derby / Electroambient Space – 2022-11-22

    Gert Emmens sure has been in a groove” lately.

    “After the Rain” has an awesome little sequence that kicks things off. Things turn spooky at the 4:00 mark

12. 

    Archie Patterson – 2022-11-22

    The brand new CD by Gert Emmens continues his exploration of the early German cosmic EM sound. Filled with dense, celestial compositions that overlap rich melodies and pulsing sequences, the music forms a highly cerebral series of Teutonic Electronic soundscapes extraordinaire.

    2009. Archie Patterson