Electro Heavy VS Acoustic Light

Balloons is a well balanced set of duets by two highly skilled keyboardsmen with a cosmic focus. Three of the compositions are full on space jazz synthesizer workouts. All instruments are keyboards; what sounds like guitar shreds on a couple tunes are in fact hard driven synths. In contrast to the electro tracks are a couple more relaxed excursions into concert grand piano space.
Jasper van't Hof is playing: Bösendorfer Imperial Acoustic Concert Grand Piano, PPG Synthesizer, PPG Wave Computer, Prepared Organ, Fender Piano
Joachim Kühn is playing: Roland Jupiter4 Synthesizer, ARP 16 voice Electric Piano, Acoustic Concert Grand Piano

Balloons

Upright Synth Jams

Jürgen Pluta's first solo lp released in 1980. This sounds a lot like some of the higher quality library lps of the same period but with longer track durations. A few of the tracks have a slow disco groove and Bayswater has a kind of manic YMO quality. All tracks feature synthesizer as the main component. Rolf Eggemann is playing drums on Montreux and Airports and Fritz Fey adds guitar to Montreux and Bayswater. Pluta plays all other instruments.

Blanche

1000 Years

Electronics and brass with solid drumming. They make for a great combination on this set of tracks composed by A. Hobson. Themes suitable for action, space and industry. 1983 so the beats lean toward disco on a few tracks. Three tracks are under a minute but the rest are over 3; not bad for a library lp and there are 14 tracks on this one. Trippy artwork on the cover by Nick Bantock, as well.

Millennium

Cosmic Love has nothing to do with the club

"Sound Painted Pictures Of Cosmic Love" doesn't that sound nice?
In fact it is.... so nice that's in my Top 10 of All Times. Ever......
Here's a bit of info from the back cover so we might get a glimpse what cosmic love is about ; ) "I really wish to be in harmony, to feel and learn the power which makes the flowers grow, the power which makes the seed sprout and break through the earth. The cosmic power from the universe called love and brotherhood, which radiates from the universe and exists everywhere, but only is realized by few. If you reach that, will you have no need for concern or doubt, because then you understand that nothing is impossible for you."
Gert Thrue plays Hammond, Moog, Fender Piano, Roland Synthesizer and Logan Stringers (??). On the title track that covers all of side A Jan Preus plays the drums. He changes sticks with Per Hoyer for Side B. The record was produced in the Netherlands. Though Gert Thrue is from Denmark. The lovely message on the back cover is in Dansk and English. Hmm... Anyway, as 95% percent of you are probably not here to read nice little stories ..... Feel some cosmic love and of course thanks to Uli for selling me this beautiful piece of music!

Cheers, Basso

Top Prog

Slovenian Girls was SBB's 15th lp, released in 1979 on Omnibus/Arcum in Germany and recorded in Praha, Czechoslowakia. Two side long tracks with excellent vocals and the keyboard wizardry of Józef Skrzek, Apostolis Antymos' fine guitar shreds and Jurek Piotrowski's spot-on drumming. Meet Julia and Anna, Slovenian Girls

Juju Jammers

It's Time for Juju Music was Dele Abiodun's first international release. King Sunny Ade and Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey were taking juju music to the world, so Dele Abiodun & His Top Hitters Band decided to take their own brand of highlife and funk inflected juju to an international audience, as well. There are 7 tracks on the lp, but you'll never notice a break until the end of the record. Both sides play as one track which is the way these bands perform live. They usually jam for hours, sometimes all night without a break. There are six vocalists in this band but they are silent for most of side 1. After 1 minute of vocal intro the talking drums, pedal steel guitars and synthesizers take over for the next 20 minutes with short breaks for the vocalists to reassert their presence (and remind us of the track title). Side 2 has more vocals but the sound is still Juju in space. And, of course, you can DANCE to this!

It's Time for Juju Music

Brasil Remodelled

With this post we are taking a side trip into the reworking of a classical composition by Brazilian composer Heitor Villa-Lobos. Electronics are prominent in this adaptation by Egberto Gismonti but the sounds of a large orchestra are still present. Oddly there are no instrument credits for Gismonti himself. The credits for keyboardist Alexandre E Bianco are astonishing; he plays an army of synthesizers and sequencers. Trem Caipira is 25 years old this year and is still as unique and engaging as it was when I first heard it in the mid 80s.

Trem Caipira

Questions Answered

Delay Tactics was an experimental synth and guitar project from the early to mid 80s. Carl Weingarten, David Udell, and Walter Whitney recorded 2 lps, the first in '82 and this one in '84. The band name is from Weingarten's guitar delay technique which to my ears sounds a lot like Klaus Bloch's ping-pong system. Listen to 'Kites' on this record and you'll hear what I'm referring to.

Any Questions?

Zoomalala!

Gruezi Mitteinand!
Here you have a fusion LP from Switzerland. I really love it when musicians dare to show a little humour. That's why I dig Wolfgang Dauner or Guru Guru that much. These dudes here don't have to hide in the mountains.... they really rock!
This diversified Jazz LP with influences of Reaggae, Funk and "World Music" was produced by the well known Bruno Spoerri (Voice of Taurus IS available on a remastered CD, folks! Go out and buy it or stay in and order.. or here.)
It's FUN!
Cheers, Basso

Banfi Sans Baffo

Galaxy My Dear was Banfi's first solo effort and on this one he is playing all instruments including various synthesizers, sequencers and a Farfisa Rythm Machine. The lp was released in 1978 on Red Record and was dedicated to "My Master, Klaus Schulze". This was the only record he recorded under the J.B. Banfi banner. The other 3 later records would be by 'Baffo' Banfi. But as you can see on the cover he is missing his baffo, so maybe that's why he looks so distraught.

Galaxy My Dear

Golden Haired Flutterby

Back to France with Richard Vimal. Migrations was Vimal's second lp, released in 1978. All tracks are instrumentals featuring guitars and synthesizers.

Migrations

Rockin' Down Under

Colossus is Cybotron's second lp, released in 1979. Geoff Green and Steve Braund are joined by new drummer, Colin Butcher who also plays synthesizers. Butcher is clearly a rock drummer as you'll hear on these tunes. 4 long tracks reaching for deep space.

Colossus

Hydravion N° 2

Besombes and Cooky Rhinoceros returned to the studio in 1978 and 1979 to record their final tracks as Hydravion. The sound is a bit more experimental this time with a couple tracks sounding like small theater pieces. New member, Dolores De Las Palmeras adds her voice to a couple tracks. There is a new bassist, Patrick Woindrich, and drummer, Bernard Wantier. Christ Saint Roch is back but only on vocals. The flute on Singaraja is by Jean-Pierre Le Normand who also lends vocals to a couple tracks.

Stratos Airlines

Borreani Space

This was my first lp by Gaston Borreani and is still my favorite. Only credits on the sleeve were G. Borreani as composer and this being a Music DeWolfe library disc, Nick Bantock as cover artist and the played by credit, Galaxy. Trying to trace Galaxy got me nowhere, of course. However googling G. Borreani turned up an lp called Rêve Abyssal by Gaston Borreani. That's another library gem on Montparnasse 2000. If you'd like to check that one out it can be found over at the Lunar Atrium. I'm not sure of the date on Abyssal as there is no date on the sleeve or label, which is the case with most MP 2000 records. Oxygen was released in 1982 and is a showcase for cosmic instrumentation. Synthesizers, moog bass, drums and percussion provide a mostly upbeat soundtrack. A couple tracks, the longer ones in fact, set a more laid back counterpoint to the rest. Borreani is easier to find these days. He is still composing and he has A MySpace page with a few of his compositions on the player and a set of videos set to his music.

Oxygen

Cosmic Vibrations

As a prelude to a future posting I'd like to share this 21st Century collaboration between composer Gaston Borreani and video artist Alain Paparone. Vocals by Yumi Miura.

Ose's Frog Colony

A French progressive workout penned by music critic, Hervé Picart in 1978. This is a concept piece concerning a colonial settlement on another planet. Richard Pinhas and François Auger of Heldon came on board to help out with guitars, synthesizers and drums so the music has a definite Heldon feel to it. Picart is also playing guitars and synths. All tracks are instrumentals and the music projects a space bound sound.

Adonia

Cosmic Aviators

Another Besombes experiment, this time with his band Hydravion. This is the first of two lps recorded at the end of the 7os, this one in 1977. Three guitarists in the band including Philippe himself, still the sounds of synthesizers predominate. 5 tracks ranging in duration from 3½ to 10½ minutes.

Philippe Besombes - Synthesizers, Mellotron, Electric Piano and Guitars
Patrick Verbeke - Guitar
Cooky Rhinoceros - Guitar
Christ Saint Roch - Bass and Synthe Bass
Pierre Bataillet - Drums
Dominique Esnault - Drums
Christian Werbrouck - Special Effects

Hydravion

old socks

We're in a real snowstorm over here. I'm pulling another pair of old socks from the blissful drawer to warm my feet....

Animal War

A production library beast from Philippe Besombes, circa 1982. 11 tracks featuring synthesizers, drums, guitar, electric piano and a bass flute with rhythms ranging from ska and reggae to military marches.

La Guerre Des Animaux

Soft Tunes - Hard Kandy

Happy New Year once again! Here's something to start it smooth and relaxed.
Most of you guys know Mr. Doheny already as this LP seems to be in big demand.
Please buy the CD reissue or download at Amazon or I-Tunes ; )
and let's make 2010 something real nice!

A new Decade, a new Sound . . .

Another set from the maestro, Vytas Brenner. This one was released in 1983 and the sound has changed with the years, just as the musicians have. Ofrenda has acquired a new bassist who has added a distinct new flavor to the music. Another fine set of songs worthy of wider recognition. This one is for Cesare.

Vytas

Brenner's Offering

Vytas Brenner and his band, Ofrenda, released this lp in 1975. Jayeche was an amazingly progressive record for mid 70s in terms of instrumentation. Vytas is playing his usual array of electric pianos and synthesizers, but there is also a string ensemble in the mix as well as a digital sequencer. Guitarist Pablo Manavello has added guitar synthesizer to his mix of guitars and mandolins, and drummer, Iván Velásquez, is playing moog drums. Jayeche is a mix of Prog/Jazz fusion and Venezuelan percussion. Bassist Carlos Acosta and percussionist brothers, Chu and Nene Quintero, complete Ofrenda.

Jayeche

Cosmic Keys

Here is one of my favorite records from Jean-Pierre Decerf. He recorded 2 promotional lps for Pema Music, which is a Chicago 2000 sub, in 1978 and 1979. This was the first. As with most library releases there is no info on musicians who contributed their talents (substantial on this one) to the recordings. The main sound on Keys of Future is synthesizers. There is also some splendid drumming and the occasional Floydian guitar.

Keys of Future

Happy Birthday Cesare!

Sinceri auguri di buon compleanno! Here's some "tropical" music for you against the cold! (just looked it up and it seems like you are still having 12° Celcius down there : )
Discofil's Petr and Pavl Orm are collaborating with singers Kamelie and the outcome is some sweet and at times pretty cheesy disco and some more progressive tracks. It's not really easy to resist their charms.....

Tropic

Cheers, Basso

Minus 11° Celcius finally

February Faves by Fasso

This one's from earlier this year when it was still cold.
Heard it this morning and it felt alright.
Cheers!

Space Racer

1981 and it's time for another go at solo Mythos. This time Stephan Kaske is fully on his own. The sound on Grand Prix has drifted into synthpop territory but still with a spacey edge. Pretty much an even mix of vocal and instrumental tracks and we get another robot themed song with Robot Secret Agents. Kaske is playing synthesizers, flute, tenor sax on one song and covering vocals, some with vocoder. And this time the drums are fully automated. Gentlemen, start your engines . . .

Space Waves

Mythos became a solo project with the release of Quasar. Last two records before this were by a quartet and the two before that by a trio. Stephan Kaske was always in the band playing multiple instruments including flute, guitar and synthesizers and usually vocals on vocal tracks. Kaske added vocoders to the list with this release which often gets scathing reviews from Prog Purists who accuse him of adopting a new wave sound. The sound is very different but to my ears better than the 2 predecessors. As usual he is playing flute and guitar but the main sound seems to be Moog, Arp, Roland and Korg synthesizers. Spacier than most of the new wavers of the time; more SpaceWave. Markus Worbs played drums and percussion on Nurse Robot and the last four tracks on side b. Stephan Kaske used a drum computer for the rest.

Quasar

Melchior, Caspar and Balthasar tonight!!

Tonight 20.00 GMT (21.00 Paris-Berlin) - the three kings from the east provide a mix in 3 parts (Myrrh, Gold and Frankinsense) praising Disco Jesus and his Cosmic Connections on deepfrequency.com

Have fun!

If you missed it - check the archives - there's such a lot of beautiful music!

To prove that I'm not a secretist, but a lazy swine
Myrrh:
Wolfgang Dauner, Martin Kolbe & Ralf Illenberger - Fun Tango
Roland Bocquet - Paradia
Ramuntcho Matta - Zoique
Ralph Lundsten & Andromeda All Stars - Lifetide
Neil Ardley - Towards Tranquility

Gold:
Latul - New Morning
Black Blowing Flowers - Funky Waltz
Djamel Allam - forgot the name but it's on the white foldout one
Stephan Witwer - Der Rechte Weg
Velvet Universe - Enigmatic Night
Connie Schnitzler - Tanzen im regen
Shoc Corridor - Travelling By Hand
Miha Kralj - Odyssey
Fra Lippo Lippi - First track A or B on the LP on Uniton. Their first.
last one is from some US private folk lp that i don't remember the name or whereabouts in the chaos ... too much frankinsense in my youth

Frankinsense:
Southwest F.O.B - The Smell of insense
Probably a recent find
Thirsty Moon – Big City
Between – Katakomben
Jeff Liberman -Transformation


Cheers, Basso

Dark Side of Von Deyen

First time a friend played this lp for me I thought I was hearing some newly discovered set of lost tunes from the Floyd circa '71 or thereabouts. But this was a newish session recorded by Adelbert Von Deyen in 1981. Uwe Johannsen's guitar has such a Gilmouresque quality and Von Deyen's vocals fit the Pink Floyd mold as well as Gilmour, Waters, or Wright's. The lyrics lean toward the darker side; sounds like Adelbert wasn't happy with the direction society was moving. 1981; who can blame him?
Von Deyen: Keyboards, synthesizers, acoustic guitar, vocals and sound effects
Uwe Johannsen: Electric Guitar
Zabba Lindner: Drums and percussion

Eclipse

Boulevard In Space

I have a soft spot for everything grotesque and Ralph Lundsten's music suits me more than just fine. Love it love it love it. The mix of fairytale and horror illustrated by lovely synths and laidback drums is pure heaven IMO. Hope you'll enjoy it too! Here's Alpha Ralpha Boulevard from 1979. Don't forget to have a look at the master's studio here.

And if you like that kinda stuff - check out Cosmic Connections on DeepFrequency.com this thursday ; ) Cheers, Basso

Dimensions

Some cosmic synth action from 1982. Age were a Belgian band who released 2 lps on Gamm Record. Dimension was their second. Brothers Marc Vachaudez on drums and percussion and Guy Vachaudez playing synthesizers, and Emmanuel D'Heayere also on synths. The music is similar in style to Peru and Future World Orchestra with a bit of a La Düsseldorf sound in places.

Dimensions

Expansion

This lp was released in 1979 on Jeff Fuller's Quandrangle Records label. Guitarist Tony Purrone is now listed as leader on this date though the sleeve notes with the record make the point that there is no leader on this session. All three members are leaders and each contributed 2 compositions. With three composers the music gets around and covers styles as diverse as neo bop, psyche funk, jazz rock fusion, and modal jazz.
Personnel:
Tony Purrone - Guitars
Jeff Fuller - Basses
Frank Bennett - Drums

Expansion