Description
- ALASKA
- Denali [2:08]
- Kenai [2:39]
- Alatna River [12:40]
![MP3 soundclip of Altana river [0:45]](/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/m3u.gif)
- Bering Glacier [6:58]
- Snowmobile Race [4:10]
- Fairbanks [1:44]
METROPOLITAN
- Transit Line [6:31]
- Bahnhof Zoo [6:05]
- Palast [8:15]
- The Big Star [5:31]
Fantastic mix of analog and digital sounds and sequences, with some symphonic touches
Kristian Persson / Sweden –
Rene Splinter is perhaps not that big/known in the EM ‘scene’. Not that many actually knows about this guy and his music. But he has released a couple of Berlin School 80’s gems already, and this is his 3rd and latest CD, and it’s a cracking good one!
A few of the tracks on this CD has already seen the light of day on his previous CD ‘Dreaming Angels’, but they weren’t in their full length, the way they were supposed to be heard. A couple of examples are ‘Bahnhof Zoo’ and ‘The Big Star’ in which are not only in their full length here, but they also sound quite different to the verisons found on the CD ‘Dreaming Angels’. Anyway….on with the review.
‘Denali’ opens up in a highly infectious, cinematic and melodic way with drums and piano, but later a subtle sequence emerge in the mix and builds the track in great harmony. A nice opener, but too short.
Next is ‘Kenai’. This track follows up the 1st with some awe inspiring and highly melodic structure. It evolves and builds in a lush way with a soft piano and a laid back soft synth lead line, in which creates yet another stunning cinematic track. Too short, but really awesome!
‘Alantna River’ continues with a heavy, almost bouncy rhythm and a long subtle sequence is building slowly in the background as the track progress through. This is one of the most versatile tracks on the CD and also the longest, and it has everything typical 80’s EM is bound to have. Awesome melody, flawless structure and melodic sequencing that literarily cries out with it’s infectious sound. In other words, lots of sequencing and melody on this one!
‘Berling Glacier’ takes us further into the depths of 80’s sequencing. This track is featured on ‘Dreaming Angels’, but under another name, and not as long. It’s a bit darker than the other tracks (if I might say), but has some stunning subtle sequencing floating and pulsating in the background, which is also the driving force in this track. The sequencing is followed by a rhythmic beat which is breathing along the lines of the synths. Top notch 80’s style EM!
‘Snowmobile Race’ is following up the previous track with a new solid and Original sounding structure, and showcases lots of great melodic sequencing yet again with some great hooks that simply has to be heard!. Great melody and hooks on this one!. Almost a bit Soundtrack like at times.
‘Fairbanks’ is a more mellow story. Sounding very much like a typical End Title track from a Film. Short but quite good. It has it’s moments with some laid back synth work and a bit of a cinematic touch to it.
The second part of the CD is called ‘Metropolitan’ and is somewhat of another chapter. Let’s see.
The title track ‘Transit Line’ punches off with fast paced synth work that really strikes us with it’s heavy sequencing. This one builds with lush melody that really is a in your face” experience. Fans of Arcane will love what this track has to offer. Infectious EM at it’s best I’d say!
‘Bahnhof Zoo’ continues were ‘Transit Line’ left off
Robbert Schuller / iO Pages –
Er bestaat geen twijfel over dat Tangerine Dream voor de uit Rotterdam afkomstige synthesizerspeler Ren Splinter een grote inspiratiebron was. Vooral de periode tussen 1980 en 1985, van Tangram tot Le Parc, is favoriet bij de musicus. Zeg maar de jaren met Johannes Schmoelling als derde man. Splinter ziet zichzelf ook in de rol van Schmoelling: de toetsenist verantwoordelijk voor de solo’s en melodien. Transit Realities staat er namelijk vol mee. Het is een CD-R samengesteld uit onlangs opgedoken oude tapes uit 1992 en 1993.
Ren heeft de originele 4-track opnames ditmaal uitgesmeerd over meerdere sporen en opnieuw digitaal gemixt.
De Alaska-suite begint zeer symfonisch, beetje in Vangelis-stijl. In Alatna River vallen herkenbare sequencers in en is de melodieuze synthrock na een minuut of zes zeer goed te pruimen. Fijne melodielijnen en soepel soleerwerk klinken er in Snowmobile Race. Metropolitan is een verzameling van vier tracks die meer drukte en ritme bevatten al zijn de van Tangerine Dream bekende sounds en passages nog immer makkelijk te determineren. Alles bij elkaar uitstekende beeldende muziek waarbij je jezelf als een adelaar boven een fraaie landschappen of drukke steden voelt vliegen.
In eigen beheer bracht Ren vorig jaar al een oude cassette uit 1989 op CD-R uit. Almery is eveneens TD-genspireerd en op de zolderkamer vervaardigd met fameuze instrumenten als de Elka Synthex, Korg Mono/Poly, Yamaha CS-20 en Roland TR 808-drummachine. Vijf nummers kent het schijfje met het ‘kantvullende’ The Laughing Magician en vier stukken tussen de vier en acht minuten. Hier ook eigen, goed gestructureerde composities met Tangerine Dream dat over de schouder meeloert. Al met al prima melodieuze elektronische muziek met symfonische ondertoon van vaderlandse bodem.
Ren Splinter is een lange periode niet in de weer geweest met synthesizers. Enkele jaren geleden is hij weer gaan componeren. Zijn huidige werk is wat experimenteler en de muziek werd reeds gebruikt als soundtrack bij kunstprojecten.
2010. Robbert Schuller / iO Pages