Description
- JOHN DYSON – Posevalue [5:23]
![MP3 soundclip of Posevalue (John Dyson) [3:00]](/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/m3u.gif)
- GERT EMMENS – Mascarade [13:50]
- F.D.PROJECT – Polarstern [8:03]
- JOHN DYSON – Signals [6:15]
- HUMAN METRONOME – Cosmic Hweeldi [9:13]
- STEPHAN WHITLAN – Out of the Box [11:34]
- JOHN DYSON – Outpost [9:21]
- 33 TETRAGAMMON – Divine Bliss [7:45]
Unique tracks by John Dyson, Stephan Whitlan, Gert Emmens and others
Sylvain Lupari / Guts Of Darkness –
The Netherlands became the cradle of modern EM. With musicians so experienced as Ron Boots, Gert Emmens, Nattefrost and others, Netherlands took back the German torch in what concerned EM to Berlin School soft steams which caress a rhythmic and orchestral modernity less minimalism and more progressive. What we call New Berlin School should rather be named Dutch School. Since 2006, Groove label organizes the annual two festivals, E-Day in spring and E-Live in autumn, in the city of Oirschot, more specifically in Enck Theater. On April 11th, 2009, this EM rave-up also celebrated the 25th anniversary of Wavestar 1st album, or cassette, Mind Journey. During this festival, quite as E-Live held later in the year, Groove prints in limited version cd including original and unique music of the artists which participate at these festivals. While waiting for the next festival of 2010, which will be held on May 22nd, here is a review of the one from E-Live 2009.
Give honor where honor is due, Wavestars John Dyson is opening this limited edition cd. It is the very first time that my ears cross John Dyson music and I have to admit that I am a bit perplexed. I expected robust Berlin School style, but theyre rather soft and very catchy melodies that Dyson proposes us. As Posevalue where a fluty synth shapes a medieval approach. The rhythm is lively and rests on good percussions to hybrid directions on a structure which brushes a brief ambient passage.
Signals is a soft ethereal melody of which first chords of acoustic guitar are getting lost in soft synthesized orchestrations. The synth multiplies the moving and harmonious layers which waltz among sinking keys with a charming limpidity. Dyson handles his synth with dexterity, creating symphonic tones which perfume an idle sweetness on misled chords by guitars and celestial harps. A structure which is similar to Outpost, although more dramatic, with its grave chords which surround a quiet avalanche from notes sounding as acoustic tones. The intensity gets higher with very beautiful strata of a e-guitar which rush towards a drum to short untimely rolling which get lost in dense synthesized orchestrations where a pleiad of fickle chords flutters with nonchalance before succumbing on strikings of a heavy drum kit which draws a slow and caustic tempo. Good electronic blues!
Gert Emmens‘s Masquerade is in the purest tradition of its works; vaporous and cosmic intro, wave-like and hilly sequences in an ambiance mi cosmic and mi unreal unique to Emmens. Synth solos fuse on this hybrid structure where the rhythm remains latent, crumbling under sublime solos of a very harmonious synth which frees its chiseled sufferings and its monastic choirs under hilly sequences, before sinking into a somber and atonal passage. Subtly, Emmens shapes again the rhythm with slamming percussions of which the echo pierces the misty opaqueness before embracing suave and hybrid synth lines to crossed solos, so joining the constant rhythmic duality of Gert Emmens‘s sound universe. Again, some great Emmens there and sometimes, I wonder from where comes all this creativity?
F.D. Projects Polarstern tacks under a somber wave-like sequence and breaths of a distressing synth. Another sequence, more crystal clear, subdivides the tempo which becomes more hatched and which hiccups under good percussions and a sequential line as mesmerizing as hypnotic. Beautiful curly solos cross this rhythmic to melodious intertwining, before caustic and ethereal guitar solos finalize Polarstern rhythmic progress. A title which will certainly please F.D. fans.
Human Metrodome is unknown to me and offers a long ambient title to Roach steams with Cosmic Hweeldi, where somber cosmic waves blow among the curves of galactic grottos stalactites.
Hesitating sequences, moulding an indistinct tempo, Stephan Whitlan‘s Out of the Box gropes in an exploratory musical universe where fragrances of Tangerine Dream can be smell. Mainly because of synth strata and e-guitars fusion which float in loops on a hesitating sequential movement, covered with percussions to metallic felting.
Other unknown group to me which makes in very deep ambient, Tetragammon offers in Divine Bliss a very crystal clear cosmic journey where everything seems to be at dreams reaches.
Divided by 3 very varied musical approaches, E-Day 2009 is a beautiful way of discovering the musical universe of Groove, as well as new names and names less known for EM fans (I think in particular of Dyson, Whitlan, Human Metrodome and Tetragammon) whom revolve in this musical universe to unlimited borders that is EM. The next E-Day will be held on May 22nd and will present interesting strong artists as David Wright, Callisto, Free System Project, Erik Seifert and E.R.G.
2010. Sylvain Lupari / Guts Of Darkness
Matt Howarth / Sonic Curiosity –
This release from 2010 offers 71 minutes of electronic music. An anthology release offering unique tracks by…
John Dyson: Pleasant electronics and sprightly rhythms with a stately disposition.Gert Emmens: Airy textures provide an astral backdrop for a series of interweaving electronic cycles. An optimistic keyboard theme takes center stage and engages in cosmic variations only to be supplanted by a dramatic void that eventually allows a more mechanical passage to surface and mature into a fresh melody comprised of crisp e-perc and haunting chords. (A left-over track from his When Darkness Falls upon the Earth album from 2005.)
F.D. Project: Sedate electronic threads spin themselves into a dreamy lattice with a mounting loop that develops into an enticing melody. Auxiliary electronics provide non-impact rhythms, coaxing the tune into sparkling vivacity. Conventional e-perc enters the mix, soon joined by quasi space guitar chords.
(Another piece by) John Dyson: Languid pulsations coalesce around a nucleus of regal keyboards.Human Metronome: Breezy atmospherics swirl into definition, blend with rising electronics of a gentle nature, then set course for a remote cosmic location. Soft percussives are encountered en route to an ambient destination, along with moody incidental effects.
Stephan Whitlan: Delicate oscillations muster strength as they pass through zones of blooping sounds and nimble loops. Keyboards establish an engaging theme that spirals to lofty heights. Crisp e-perc help supply propulsion. And a delightful selection of novel effects occur during the ascension.
(A third contribution by) John Dyson: A longer dose of Dyson‘s congenial electronics. Airy tones usher in a passage of majestic keyboards that evoke a remote outpost guarding the edge of a celestial frontier. Percussion lends drama to the lonely sentry duty, while fanciful electronics offer winsome distractions.
33 Tetragammon: Glittering ambience punctuated by bell-like notes and wavering tones. Resonating to this pleasant finale, the listener gains a suitable vantage on a blissful void.
An excellently representative introduction to the music of these fellows.
2010. Matt Howarth / Sonic Curiosity
Artemi Pugachov / Encyclopedia of Electronic music –
Each year, Groove Unlimited label from the Netherlands organizes two Electronic Music festivals, one held in spring (E-Day) and the other in autumn (E-Live). For each event they prepare a unique, limited edition CD with unreleased tracks of performing artists. This is one of such releases, filled to the brim with fine electronics by leading European artists.
The first track is Posevalue” by John Dyson. If you know this artist