AMG's "E-Music" Reviews

How stupid are these things? Every review by Schulze, T-Dream, JMJ is 100 words long -- two of which are always "essential e-music." Were these things written by some 40 y/o in 1994?

fuckin 40 year olds in 1994

how do they work?

Jim Brehnolts

http://www.google.com/search?q=site:allmusic.com+%22essential+e-music

Edgar Froese is a great musician and a shrewd businessman. Realizing that he and his associates would need money to fund the progress of Tangerine Dream, he took advantage of both of those qualities and launched his solo career while Tangerine Dream was still in their infancy. That solo career has contributed many gems and classics to the e-music community. Ages is one of those classics. This album has all of Froese's virtuosity and something that his listeners rarely hear -- a sense of humor. Froese does not show that side of himself to his listeners very often, so it is a treat. Putting that positive energy into play does much for this album; it makes it a classic. This CD will appeal to fans of Paul Ellis, Ian Boddy, Ron Boots, and Mark Dwane. It is an e-music essential.

Ron Boots has been the quintessential electronic musician for many years. Current marked his tenth year of recording and releasing e-music. It is a fitting celebration of that milestone. This is pure Berlin school sequencing -- and it is fun. Boots has not been one to infuse his albums with hidden meanings or dark passages. He merely puts together dense sequences and massive atmospheres to create massive walls of sound. And all of the notes are in the right places. It is easy to overuse the term "expert" when discussing Boots and his music, but it is not inappropriate to do so. He carries on in the great European e-music tradition. This CD will appeal to fans of Radio Massacre International, Tangerine Dream, Hemisphere, Air Sculpture, and Global Communication. It is highly essential e-music.

Larry Fast, aka Synergy, is a true pioneer of electronic music. Games is his fourth album, originally released in 1979. Back then,Fast's techniques were cutting-edge. In the new millennium, some of those methods would be similar to reconstruction or recycling. This album has nine tracks with four basic themes. Fast wrote the "Soundcheck: Delta Three" suite during Peter Gabriel's 1978 tour. (Fast is a member of Gabriel's touring band.) He took "Delta Four" from the remnants of 1974's Electronic Realizations for Rock Orchestra. The whole disc has its roots firmly in rock & roll and in the Berlin school of electronic music. There are no hidden messages -- this is pure entertainment. This disc will appeal to fans of Tangerine Dream, Klaus Schulze, Jean Michel Jarre, and Ashra. Because of its historical importance and quality, it is essential for e-music fans. Progressive rock fans will also find it interesting

Deep Roots Hidden Waters is a set of deep Native American ambience from Deborah Martin. It is one of the defining moments in Spotted Peccary's quest to define modern native music. Martin's sound-design skills are in top form on this CD. She plays the musical elements off each other to embrace the atmospheres. The stellar cast of supporting musicians contributes much to this project and the ambient textures flow smoothly. The minimalist timbres surround deep listeners; the ethnic acoustics top the soundscape deftly. Martin has achieved a true crossover form on this outstanding album. This CD will appeal to fans of Coyote Oldman, Douglas Spotted Eagle, and Spirit Nation. It is essential for fans of e-music, Native American music, and new age music.

The Dark Side of the Moog 4 is another volume by Pete Namlook, Klaus Schulze, and Bill Laswell. And they have a little more fun with the first dark-siders, Pink Floyd. The tracks on this CD are "Three Pipers at the Gates of Dawn, Parts I-IX." This set, like the entire series, is full of deep sequences, dark overtones, and experimental sounds. Schulze, Namlook, and Laswell are e-music legends and it is always exciting when they collaborate. This disc is no exception. They are able to generate new sounds and variations on a theme. It does not get tired or tedious. This set will appeal to fans of early Tangerine Dream, Rudy Adrian, Ian Boddy, and Steve Jolliffe. Because of the trio, it is essential for e-music fans. Casual fans can pass.

the guy that wrote all these died a couple years ago: http://www.ambientvisions.com/brenholts.htm

Ok, now I feel badly. How about we honor his legacy by rewriting all his reviews?

Atem is more melodic and less dissonant than Tangerine Dream's other early works. The lineup of Edgar Froese, Christopher Franke, and Steve Schroyder puts a nice topspin on the old prog rock sound. They take it to the edge -- as in cutting -- and beyond. While it is still very common to see TD listed as progressive rock and art rock, this album is pure space music. It goes beyond the confines of rock & roll.