Chip-Meditation Part I (1985)
Chip-Meditation Part II (1985)
Electronic Universe Part I (1985)
Syn-Code (1986)
Past-Present-Future (1987)
Past-Present-Future Part II (1987)
Digital Dance (1988)
Electronic Universe Part II (1988)
Dea Alba (1988)
Live 3rd Dimension (1989)
Fragrance (1990)
Ocean (1990)
Modesty-Blaze (1991)
Visions (1991)
Cave (1992)
Modesty-Blaze Vol. II (1992)
Cool Blue (1993)
Space Design (1993)
Heaven
To Hell (1995)
Software As Hardware (1995)
Sky-Dive (1997)
Fire-Works (1998)
German synth duo. Mostly Michael Weisser with either Peter Mergener (most of the early and newest albums), Georg Stettner (Fragrance), or Billy Byte (Modesty-Blaze series and Cave). Newer releases are aimed at the New Age market. Vintage works are ok.
See also: Mergener & Weisser, Mergener, Peter.
Works of Various Years (1986)
Socialism And Love (1987)
Instant Victory of Black Painting (1988)
Living the Turkish Way (1989)
River, Lake, Sea (1990)
Pressure - Music For Rich (1991)
Yat-Kha (1993)
Conquest of Arctic (1995)
Khan's Afternoon Rest (1996)
Regredimur (2001)
Ivan Sokolovsky was born in 1962 in Leningrad (Saint-Petersburg) and started with music in the early 80's, building his own synthesizers and tape recorders. In 1983, he co-founded and started composing for the underground group Night Prospekt, in which he also played synthesizers and electronically processed the band's other instruments. In 1989, he left the band to pursue a solo career and delved deeper into the realms of atmospheric ambient Electronic Music and ethnic music. Unfortunately, Ivan Sokolovsky died on the 15th of May, 2005. Notes: River, Lake, Sea is a compilation of works for various projects Ivan had been involved with; Conquest of Arctic was released under the "Soft Animals" project name; finally, Yat-Kha is not only the title of the album but also the name of the project that combined traditional Tuvan throat singing with electronics. Subsequent albums of Yay-Kha had nothing to do with Ivan.
Mother Sunrise (2000)
Ad Infinitum (2001)
Enigma (2006)
Sola Translatio are Alio Die and Opium (Matteo Zini). Ambient soundscapes.
Solar Dream Light Machine (UK)
Machine Visions (2009)
Paul Pinfold. Rhythmic, Kraftwerk-influenced tracks with some vocoder voices.
Heartbeat of the Roses (1989)
Recicling Project 2 (1990)
Bluth und Bluthe (1990)
Topy TV, Tribute To Psychic TV (1990)
Eternity Into Stillness (1992)
Solar Lodge (1993)
According To the Rites of Beauty (1995)
Spells of Challenge (1999)
Wax And Wane (2002)
Floating electronics from Fulvio Biondo and Enrico Angarano. I think this will appeal to fans of both Classic EM and Ambient forms.
Logbook '94_'00 (2000)
Solar Moon System is a German collective of Tom Dams, Georg Boskamp and Uwe Lehr. Their album was produced by Klaus Schulze. Slow beats and atmospheres with some vocalizing here and there.
Collaboration (2000)
A collaboration of Apoptose, Ambit and Polygon projects. Dark Ambient.
See also: Polygon
Marsbeli Kronikaak (1983)
The first track starts surprisingly similar to the beginning of "Metropolis" by Kraftwerk. Later the music ventures into Tangerine Dream / Vangelis territory. Subsequent tracks are in similar vein, mixing TD-like sound (circa Tangram) with more Rock elements. The third track even has some sounds that pleasantly recall Schulze from the mid-Eighties. The soloing is top-notch throughout and overall this album should appeal to fans of both Electronic Music and Progressive / Symphonic Rock.
Solaris (1996)
Introitus (1998)
Mho (1999)
3K (1999)
MW 1602 (2004)
Polish Dark Ambient project (Rafal Detkos and Adam Kielsznia).
See also: Ucho
Solipsist Paradise (Netherlands)
Aware (1996)
Same band as Wave World with Klaus Schulze on one track.
See also: Wave World
Altered States (1990)
Ritual Ground (1991) (with Steve Roach)
Plains And Skies
(1992)
Fearless (1995)
Nocturnes (1997)
Solitaire is basically German synthesist Elmar Schulte. Very good ambient electronics.
See also: Schulte, Elmar
Transcending the Umbra (2004)
Frosty dark / Neo-Classical ambience ala Vinterriket from M. Marino out of Minnesota, USA. Other influences include Robert Rich, Steve Roach and Brannan Lane.
Something Completely Different (Netherlands)
Megacatz (2001)
Marathon (2002)
The Book of Love (2003)
The Last Gate (2003)
Songs From 1981 - 1987 (2006)
Great rhythmic and melodic electronics by one Boele Gerkes. The collection Songs From 1981 - 1987 may not be for starters but it shows the musician developing his style. It begins with "Fender Volume Organ" - an experimental piece comprised of an organ drone and various spooky effects. "4th Jen Song" continues with a cheesy analogue sequence and an equally cheesy, positive melody. This is profoundly synthetic, even robotic music. Nice one. "Poly 800-7" contains a melodic sequence and a rather solemn melodic theme, reminding on historic scenes from the times of King Arthur. Everything was played on Korg Poly-800 synthesizer. "Philicorda 2" is a nice slab of hypnotic electric organ cheesyness. "Twin Peaks 2", on the other hand, is quite moody and atmospheric, with long-drawn pads and a distorted, screaming synth lead. "Jan Hammer" is a melodic, "commercial" tune with catchy hooks and very 1980's-sounding drums. I think fans of Jarre and, naturally, Jan Hammer's "Miami Vice" period will enjoy this. "Polysix 1" basically consists of phased analogue string sounds. Simple, but fine. A dramatic sequence appears towards the end. "The Whale Poly 800" is a thick-textured analogue piece, with layered string / pad sounds and an upbeat sequence. A new sequence emerges after a while, along with a good melodic theme. Fans of 1980's Tangerine Dream will enjoy this. "Poly 800-8" continues in a rather restrained mode, with pads, a very mundane sequence and a nice melody. "1e ESQ Nummer" starts in a Jarre-like manner, with an urgent sequence and a cascading synth tone. The drums start and it could easily be one of those "lost" tracks off Rendez-Vous sessions. "Filmscore" is a short, but intense sketch of heavy synth pads. "Poly 800-2" moves the cheese meter up a few notches. This is really as melodic and sweet as it gets. "Bayerisch" is extremely low-fi. Sounds like a folk tune blaring from the speaker of an old comuter game. "Poly 800-5 Distorted" starts with a spooky organ. Very soon an arpeggio comes in, together with a dramatic melodic theme. "Intro met ESQ-1" is basically just sequences and a few atmospheres. Very powerful, though. "Poly 800-4 Plus String" has rolling arpeggios and one of those typical melodies that fill this album. "Submarine" has a slow marching sequence and a few mysterious pads, together with more experimental textures. "Seagulls" begins with twittering synth effects and excellent analogue atmospheres. After a while you can hear a low, sober synth melody and a few guitar strums. The second section consists of upbeat sequences, melodies and effects. A few playing mistakes do not spoil the great impression this track leaves. "Brazen Sky Polysix" is dominated by rolling arpeggios and wooden, mundane melodic sonics. "Ryuteki", with it's reflective flutes, is a nice and cinematic way to finish this diverse collection.
Melancholy's Masquerade (2007)
Varied emotional Ambient from this Finnish project out of Jyväskylä.
Paisajes Analogicos (1984)
Otros
Mundos, Otros Soles (2001)
Somnium used to be a band (from Mieres, Asturias) that consisted of Manuel Jesus Rodriguez and Luis Fez. They made an album and then disappeared. The project was reanimated six years later and this time Rodriguez teamed up with Guzman Concejo. This line-up made Otros Mundos, Otros Soles with music that is very much in the classic EM tradition.
1818 - 1991 (2005)
Maelstrom (2005) (with Kivelä)
Clergy of Oneiros (2007)
Medieval Ambient with a horror edge.
Sonda A Barnard (2000)
Spacey electronics by Dario Sosa with Progrock and Jazz tendencies. Juan Carlos Ballesta plays percussion on this album.
Spheres of Music (2007)
Mostly Space Music influenced by Jonn Serrie.
Heartbeat Submarines (1999)
Arrival Lounge (2002)
Substrates (2004) (recorded in 1995 - 1999)
Vinyl Studies (2007)
Tear Ceremony's alter ego. Ambient.
See also: Tear Ceremony
Ambient Space (2007)
Ambient trio of Mikoli Weaver, Tom Taylor and Greg Cutright.
Smell of Moisture After the Rain
(2003) (S)
Les Debris de l'Ete (2003)
Favo di Fiele (2004)
Nebra (2004)
A Rain Water Stratum On the Sea (2005)
L'odore del ramo Spezzato (2005)
Caravanserraglio (2005)
Piccola Musica Per Staglieno (2005) (S)
Libellus Alchemicus Aegypticus (2007) (S)
A project of Mario Costa which is essentially a contituation of his previous project Tumulus Seraphim. While the former project was based on dark / deep isolationist structures, Sostrah Tinnitus is more organic sounding, like Ritual Ambient of artists such as Alio Die.
See also: Tumulus Seraphim
Diffusing the Light (2007)
Driven By Thanatos (2008)
Dreamy, droning Ambient from Australia.
Reaktion (1993)
Radiospirits (1994)
See also: Vision Liquida
First Contact (1996)
World Vibes
(1998)
Nano Creatures (2001)
Xmopolitan (2002)
Dutch group of musicians (Eric van Gasteren, Gert Voets and Christiaan van Lierop), whose style ranges from Vangelis / Kitaro to Tangerine Dream (on Nano Creatures), to something quite personal.
See also: Gasteren, Eric van
Phos (2005)
California-based musician Herb Grimaud Jr. This album is a departure for his Ethereal / Wave / Noise project whose previous outing was a group effort. This one, however, is pure Drone Ambient, as subdued and low as it gets.
Entrada (1995)
Synature (1997)
Melodic, easy-on-the-ear music.
Soundchaser Project, The (Brazil)
Intergalactic Radio Station (2001)
On Intergalactic Radio Station you will find very interesting synth music. It's very accessible and yet avoids sounding twee. Overall, a nostalgic feeling permeates all compositions, with lots of classic sounds. It has some spoken vocals but they do not detract from the music. (in fact, they are very clever - check out the Pink Floyd reference on "Neon Pink Glow") The style itself is almost impossible to define. It could be Berlin School, but the music is not sequencer-heavy. Instead, Renato Menezes and Soren Lemche (the musicians behind The Soundchaser Project) seem to have a knack for creating great melodies and wonderful solos that are featured on almost all tracks. These guys really know how to coax blistering solo sounds out of their synths. Just check out "Lunarscape" - I could listen to this stuff forever. It's maybe like some Vangelis with bits of TD, but not quite. Difficult to pin down but I encourage all synth music fans to check out The Soundchaser Project. Read the interview I did with The Soundchaser Project HERE.
Codex Hypnox (2003)
Primordial Lands Arise (2007)
The Persistence of Ambience (2008)
Ambient soundscapes from North Carolina-based artist John W. Patterson.
Heirborne (1985)
Innermission
(1985)
Basically a New Age / Christian music writer, Souther released these two electronic works while recovering from his illness in the mid 80's.
Magic Fly (1977)
Deliverance (1977)
Just
Blue (1978)
Deeper Zone (1979)
Space Magic Concerts (1996)
Symphonic Space
Dream (2003)
Electronic Pop, sometimes with female vocals. This group was led by Didier Marouani with arrangements by Roland Romanelli.
See also: Paris France Transit, Marouani, Didier, Romanelli, Roland, Savers, The.
Onyx (1976)
Trip In the
Center Head (1978)
Play Back (1979)
Symphonix (1981) (S)
Space Art are Dominique Perrier and Roger Rizzitelli who were Jarre's assistants at several concerts. Classic Electronic Music.
Cosmos From Diode Ladder Filter
(2001)
Space Machine 2 (2002)
Space Machine 3 (2002)
Dimension Degenerator (2004) (S)
Orbit Vector Generator (2004) (S)
Space-Time Echo (2005) (S)
Zone of Avoidance (2005) (S)
Yamazaki Maso (member of Masonna) with his space electronic project. Space Machine started in 2000 as a base for Yamazaki's experiments with analog synthesis. Comparable to Conrad Schnitzler.
Nexus (1994)
Titanium (1996)
Music by Szathmari Tamas on Spheric Music label.
Paradoxe (1975)
With Ivan Coaquette from Musica Elettronica Viva and John Livengood from Red Noise. Sounds a bit similar to electronic spacey excursions of Ash Ra Tempel / Ashra.
See also: Livengood, John, Red Noise.
Spacecraft (1997)
Hummel (1998)
Earthtime
Tapestry (1999)
Kaleida Dreams (1999)
Summer Town (2000)
Musical Meditation For World
Peace (2000)
Cybersphere (2001)
Inside the Inside (2002)
Parthenon (2002)
A duo of synthesists Tony Gerber and John Rose. Space Music with rhythmic elements. Inside the Inside is a great space album with lots of sequencing.
See also: Gerber, Tony, Rose, John.
The Orbit of Dreams (2005)
Sequencer-based music.
Space Is Big, Man Is Small (1990)
Spacelab (1993)
Spacelab is an electronic duo of Peter Folkesson and Stefan Ahnhem (two stepbrothers, actually). They have been around since the 1980's, releasing a few tracks on several LP and MC compilations. The eponymous album from 1993 actually gathers all tracks from their previous album and adds 7 new tracks.
Kamarupa (1997)
Of Cosmic Repercussions (2000)
Electronic project from Don Falcone (ex-Melting Euphoria and Thessalonians). Psychedelic EM, sometimes with slight Techno-isms but generally quite ambient. There is one more album from this project, called Truth In the Eyes of A Spaceship (1998) that's far more Techno-oriented.
See also: Spice Barons
Dreams By Water (2009) (S)
I Think I Feel Clear Now (2009)
Insider Gazing (2009) (S)
Reborn In Action (2009)
Meaning Plane (??)
Seven Inside And Out (2009)
Cosmic synths, drones and atmospheres from Tennessee-based artist Frank Baugh. This is not his full discography but I am not sure if other releases would fit stylistically.
Route Canal Diary (1997)
Under New Manna (2000)
Camphor And Caraway (2000)
Leaf Spring (2003)
Evening Air, Freeway Birds, No Wind Birds (2006)
Indian King (2006)
Ambient soundscapes from this artist based in the north of California, USA. His first experimental / musique concrete compositions date back to 1985. Prior to that, Kent acted as a keyboardist and singer-songwriter for his own Pop band Eyeland.
Spear (1994)
Dark Waters of Light (1997)
Search of Sparks (1997)
Dark Waters of Light (1998)
Of Silence (1999)
Sapphire Flower (2001)
Dark Ambient in Lustmord vein.
Sebastian In Traum (1999)
Solo Electronic Music from Rainbow Serpent member.
See also: Rainbow Serpent
Meditation In Pop (1989)
Claude Larson and Manuel Landy.
See also: VC People, Larson, Claude, Netzle, Klaus, Elmulab, Futura, Carlos, Power-Pack, Logo 2000.
Morphology (??)
Rotations (??)
Fantasy In the Forest (1977)
Noctural Voyage (1978)
Celestial Wanderer (1978)
Electronce (1983)
Radiance (1985)
Astral Currents (1986)
Universe (1986)
Heaven World (1987)
Trystaline Skyway (1987)
Panacea (1988)
Other Realms (1990)
Portal (2007)
Uplifting and sometimes meditative music from this California-based visionary artist. Often quite New-Agey but sometimes sequencer-based, too. Errol G. Specter has also released some albums with sounds of nature and acoustic music (like Harpsichord And Piano Meditations (1983), for instance).
The Dark Water Edition (2007)
Frank Makowski's project in Dark Ambient mould. The Dark Water Edition consists of three mini-CD-R's.
See also: Tranquillity, Ramp.
Collection 983: Spectral Voyages
(1983)
Desert Vision (1987) (with David Lanz)
Collection 991: Music + Art (1991)
Quiet Thoughts (2000)
Basically a New Age musician. This is not his full discography but other works are presumably of no interest to an EM fan. The first album may be ok-ish Electronic New Age but nothing to get excited about. Music + Art is mostly notable for the participation of Michael Stearns. Quiet Thoughts is done on just keyboards and is in the style of Stearns / Roach.
Time Waves (1979)
Obscure two-man band from the 70's with just piano and synth. This LP was released privately in Florida.
Spellbound (??)
Induced Sleep (1985)
Lone Island Bliss (1992)
Infinity (1996)
Zenith (2000)
Directions For Life (2004)
Apart from EM, Graham Spence also plays Rock songs and Celtic music.
The Art of the Synthesizer (1972)
Library album with everything on it, from totally abstract twittering effects to quite listenable proto-Kraftwerk melodies. Today, Sam Spence continues to actively compose music, mainly for films and television.
Inwards (??)
This album was released on Electronical Dreams label. Melodic / sequential EM with piano passages.
Primal-Tech Music (1982) (with Paul
Voudouris)
Passage (1982) (with Paul Voudouris)
Desires of the Heart (1984)
Desires of the Heart is a classic album of Electronic New Age, comparable in some ways to Direct by Vangelis. He has lots of other albums, but I'm far from being an expert. I have his discography, but to my knowledge not all of his albums are electronic. The ones that are interesting to EM fans are listed above.
Transformations (1989)
Absolute Animal (1990)
The Secret of Sphinx (1990)
Transformations (1993)
Also known as Sphinx Holotronic, this project was founded during the 1980's by South African producer and musician Jay Scott. Sphinx was dedicated to experimental / ambient soundscapes. During the 1990's, the music started shifting towards Psytrance and Chillout electronica.
See also: Sphinx
Future Perfect State (1995)
Spice Barons is (was?) an ambient duo of Kim Cascone and Don Falcone with the participation of Paul Neyrinck. They had at least one album released on Silent Records with upbeat, Techno-influenced ambient music.
See also: Spaceship Eyes, PGR.
The Expanding Universe (1980)
Unseen Worlds (1991)
Female artist born in Chicago in 1945. She started as a self-taught musician, then teached herself music notation and studied classical guitar privately in London. After playing banjo, mandolin and guitar for several years, she quickly transformed into an Electronic Music pioneer, utilizing electronic devices in music as early as 1969. In 1973, Laurie wrote interactive compositional software for Bell Labs computers and founded the New York University's Computer Music Studio. The Expanding Universe features hypnotic, minimal and repetitive electronic tracks, composed over a period of three years (1974 - 1976).
Once Upon A Time (2004)
Wichman
And Other Pieces (2004) (with Mantacoup)
Publix (2005)
Cold War (2007) (with Mantacoup)
Varied ambient soundscapes from one of the founders of Databloem label Dennis Knopper.
Spinfield (1989)
The Message (1999)
Spinfield is Steve McDonald who has also released a number of albums under his own name that are more or less in New Age style, as far as I know. The above music is more interesting, though. McDonald draws inspiration from artists like Klaus Schulze and Tangerine Dream, as well as Progressive Rock and Ethnic music.
Trip To G9 (1995)
Crystal Jungles
of Eos (1995)
Solar Wind (1996)
Spiral Realms is made up of Simon House (of Hawkwind and Anubian Lights fame) and American synthesist Len Del Rio (Nik Turner / Pressurehead). The music is entirely instrumental and consists of just House's violin playing and synthesizers. Solar Wind is an album that was recorded during Hawkwind's 1995 tour and the quality is NOT top-notch, although for a live recording it's ok (but, hey guys, why not make a mixing board recording?). The music is for the most part very energetic although it lacks variety and overall sounds a bit bland. There are some nice tracks, as for instance "Lunar Sea" which is quite driving stuff that reminds on both the latter day Tangerine Dream and the upbeat Jean-Michel Jarre. Some of the synth sounds are rather cool, those of trippy and spacey twittering variety. No wonder, considering the gear in use. (Len Del Rio used, among other artifacts, the Korg MS10, while Del Dettmar, who also helps out on this album and on Crystal Jungles... makes use of the VCS3!) Still, I'd prefer to hear more variety within their sound. The album contains a live rendition of Pink Floyd's "Interstellar Overdrive" that first appeared on a PF tribute album.
See also: House, Simon, Hawkwind, Anubian Lights, Zero Gravity.
The Space Between (2008)
Still (2009)
A duo of Neale Haddon (guitars, processing, guitar synth) and Peter Challoner (synthesizers & drum programming).
See also: Challoner, Peter
Cosmic Lighthouse (1991)
This LP was released in 1991 but the music could have been recorded earlier (not sure). The full name of the artist is Spiros Markulakis.
The Blue Heavens (2006)
An album of ambient soundscapes with Space Rock touches from this Florida-based artist whose previous outing Anamorphosis of Day (2003) was very IDM-influenced. However, on The Blue Heavens the Techno elements are virtually absent in favour of a Prog-influenced, hazy sound.
Transit Realities (2010)
Solo Electronic Music from ex-member of Almery.
See also: Almery
Koncert Fur SIG-Pressluftwerkzeuge
(1971) (S)
Konzert Fur Elektronischen Fahrschalter, Hubhydraulik, Elektrische
Gitarre Und Synthesizer (1971) (S)
Oederlin
Elektron (1972)
Rollin' (1973) (S)
Die Musikmaschine (1973) (with the
ensemble "Kaktus")
Switched-On Switzerland (1974)
Hepp Demo Spoerri
(1976) (with Hardy Hepp)
Voice of Taurus (1978)
The Sound of the UFO's (1978) (with Reto Weber)
Baustellenmusik
(1979) (S)
Toy Planet (1981) (with Irmin Schmidt)
ax+by+cz+d=0 (1981) (with Betha Sarasin)
Kunst
Und Komputer (1983) (with Betha Sarasin)
Double Brain (1985) (with Joel
Vandroogenbroeck)
Controlled Risk (1988) (with Reto Weber)
Glückskugel (2006) (recorded in 1971 - 1980)
Extrakugel (2009)
Swiss Jazz-musician-turned-synthesist. I think his electronic works are more or less here. Not much known about them. Switched-On Switzerland is electronic interpretations of Swiss Folk music. The early EP's are promotional records for various companies. I've heard only his collaborative LP with Can's Irmin Schmidt, Toy Planet. It features very diverse material: some forgettable and funky rhythmic tracks and atmospheric pieces, some of them true masterpices, for instance, the title track, as well as "Rapido De Noir" and "When the Waters Came To Life". A real oddity is "Yom Tov" that sounds like vintage, tequila-drenched Mexican festival music. The album makes use of Lyricon (a wind-controlled electronic instrument) and is well worth checking out, especially for tracks like "Toy Planet" and "When the Waters...".
Pathologische Normalität (1985)
Live electronic project of Hans-Dieter Schmidt (who had been playing with Finnegan's Wake during the 70's) and Hartmut Bar. After releasing this cassette Schmidt went on to form a new duo Imaginary Landscape with Bernd Hruby.
See also: Imaginary Landscape
Excerpts 1 (1992) (recorded in 1986 -
1992)
Homelistening Is
Killing Clubs (1995)
Future of the Past (1997)
My Little Garden of Sounds (1997)
Phonehead (1997)
Sferics (1998)
Virtual Vices (1998) (with Pete Namlook)
Etherlands (1999)
Virtual Vices II (2001) (with
Pete Namlook)
Virtual Vices III (2002) (with Pete Namlook)
Elevator To Heaven
(2002)
Virtual Vices IV (2002) (with Pete Namlook)
Invisible Fields (2003)
Achtundsechzig 31 (2003) (with Chris Lang)
Headphone Concert (2004)
Meditationen
(2005)
Orphan Waves (2006)
Virtual Vices V (2006) (with Pete Namlook)
Space Cowboys @ Jelenia Gora (2007) (recorded in 2004) (with Keller,
Schonwalder, Broekhius and Fox)
High Phidelity (2007)
Gasoline 91 Octane (2008)
Virtual Vices VI (2008) (with Pete Namlook)
January In June (2009)
Wolfram der Spyra is, in my opinion, one of the most talented synthesists around. His music is New Berlin School, very energetic and with a cool modern feel. Some albums are more ambient than the others: for instance, My Little Garden of Sounds or some stuff from the Virtual Vices series. At the same time there's plenty of sequencer-based stuff even on the more ambient releases. The examples of his more rhythmic style can be found on Future of the Past, Elevator To Heaven and Meditationen, among others. Der Spyra's earlier material featured on Excerpts 1 is more experimental and apart from synths features some playing on an instrument called the "Steel Cello". Der Spyra is originally from Kassel, Germany. During the 80's, he became interested in Electronic Music applications and founded his own electronic studio where he made use of numerous custom-built instruments like the Triangle-pads, the Steel Cello or the Electrolyra. His soundsculptures were featured at some art exhibitions, including the well-known (at least in Germany) "Dokumenta IX". His ascent to EM fame began when he started collaborating with Pete Namlook, who in the 90's produced many young talented artists for his newly-formed FAX label. With Pete, Spyra started releasing a series of CD's dedicated to various forms of electromagnetic waves, of which Sferics was the first. The albums showed Spyra developing a fresh approach to EM that combined classic influences with contemporary / modern elements. Many more albums on different labels followed and nowadays Der Spyra is still at the forefront of current EM scene.
Texan synth duo.
See also: Boone, Tim
Aerodrome (2007)
Static and intense analog soundscapes with some sequencer-based pieces ala Virgin-era Tangerine Dream.
Fast Impressions (1986)
Jon St. James' 1984 album Trans-Atlantic featured a collection of Pop songs. This one, however, leans towards the Jazzy synth / Fusion / EM instrumental style and features Jon's synths with some tasty and relaxed guitar solos from Allan Holdsworth.
See also: Starforce 1
Icarus (1992) (recorded in 1977-1978)
Another one of those short-lived bands formed by Ciro Perrino in the late 1970's that sees him moving from Progressive Rock towards his later electronic style.
See also: Perrino, Ciro, SNC, La Compagnia Digitale.
Alles Für Die Front Alles Für Den
Krieg! (1995)
Heldenstadt Stalingrad (1995)
Blutmühle (1997)
Die Schwarze Fabrik (1998)
Oradour (1998)
Vaterland (2001)
212 (2004)
The Final Resistance (2005) (with Rasthof Dachau)
1905. The Price of Blood (2005)
Der Tod Nagelt Die Augen Zu... (2006)
Wings of Confusion (2006) (with Atrox)
Revolution of the Antichrist (2007)
RetroMekanik (2009)
Martial Ambient from Reinhard Hopfe, sometimes with (annoying) vocals.
Andre Sulla Luna (1979)
E Il Pavone
Parlo' Alla Luna (1987)
Syriarise (1992)
Flowers (1995)
Circles (1998) (with Philip Glass)
CoolAugustMoon (2000)
Rings (2003)
Early Rings (2005) (recorded in 1974 - 1975)
Child of the Moon (2006)
Ex-Pierrot Lunaire musician who has released a string of solo works that range from organ and piano-based serialist music and minimal works to Progrock-influenced stuff and Electronic Music. After his 1987 effort, E Il Pavone Parlo' Alla Luna, Arturo started concentrating more and more on the piano, while electronics and other instruments took a back seat. Of note are his collaboration with Philip Glass on Circles and his adaptations of Brian Eno works.
Ping Pong (1991)
Solo album from this Greek composer and movie score writer.
Digital Life (1989)
East German synthesist.
Deep Space (1999)
Very cosmic, with lots of rhythm.
The Sadness of Things (1991) (with David
Tibet)
Revenge of the Selfish Shellfish (1992) (with Tony Wakeford)
Musical Pumpkin
Cottage (1996) (with David Tibet)
Octopus (1998) (with David Tibet)
Steve Stapleton is the man behind Nurse With Wound.
See also: Nurse With Wound
Star Sounds Orchestra (Germany)
Planets (1991)
Phantastische Phaenomene
(1992)
Kosmophonon (1992)
Inter Planetary Ambience (1995)
Psy-Force (1997)
...ooz (1999)
Music For Qigong Dancing (2004)
Okefenokee 2002 (2007) (with Airsculpture) (recorded in 2002)
Steve Schroyder's project with Jens Zygar. I've heard that early albums are pretty good, but I have only ...ooz, which is very rhythmic Psychedelic Trance / Techno kind of thing, therefore, not interesting musically, although the Moog pyrotechnics are quite impressive on some tracks.
See also: Schroyder, Steve, Augenstern, Tangerine Dream.
Pershy Dozhdzh (2004) (S)
Sontsa - Shlyakham Zhyccia i Smerci (2007)
Keyboard-based Pagan Ambient. The title of the first mini-album translates to "First Rain".
Stardrive (1973)
Intergalactic Trot (1974)
Robert Mason on synth backed by a Jazz group. Intergalactic Trot contains a couple of cover versions (among them a Beatles song!). Sort of like a Funky electronic Gong in space.
Stares To Nowhere (2000)
Entities (2000)
Inside the Dream Replicater (2000)
Before the Wheel (2000)
The Red Staircase (2003)
Stares To Nowhere JX (2003)
The Infinity Game (2004)
Bridge To Nowhere (2004)
The Perfect Planet (2005)
In Search For Water (2005)
Ambient project of Bill Fieger and Heather Lind, supposedly in Steve Roach vein.
Starfire (1996)
Mostly power Space Rock from Doug Buckley (he wrote the lyrics for Hawkwind's "Out of the Shadow"), except for the last track (20+ minutes) which is classic Berlin School electronic sequencer blast that all Tangerine Dream fans will drool over.
Starforce 1 (1981)
Jon St. James and Albin Konopka. Somewhat comparable to Tangerine Dream. Apart from Starforce 1, Jon St. James also collaborated with Allan Holdsworth on two subsequent solo albums.
Ambient Excursions (1999)
The Art of Analog Diversion (2000)
Step Off (2002)
Music For Modern Listening (2005)
Diverse electronic compositions from Bobby DeVito, from ambient floaters (the first two) to sequencer-based (Step Off).
Cristallin (1981)
Inner Spirits (1985)
Retrospection (1991)
Moods - Synthesizer Seasons (1993)
The Synthfony Album
(1993)
Digi-Lite (1996)
Dutch synthesist born in 1952. Many of his albums are covers of well-known tunes. The above listed works are supposed to contain original music.
Space In Art (1996)
Barriers (1976)
Private cassette release.
Starseed Transmission (Australia)
Metamorphic Illumination (1993)
This album contains spacey, a bit Tangerine Dream-like journeys from Steve Law and Andrew "Orion" Park. There are four massive tracks that take you to the edge of your dreams. Every bit is filled to the top with sparkling clusters of synths, crystalline sequences and warm atmospheres. Sometimes one can hear echoes of TD's Zeit (as on "Etherea"), but most of the time the music is fairly original and the sound is VERY rich. A lot of analogue synthesizers were used to create an invigorating synthetic melange that portraits cosmos not as a cold, black abyss, but rather as a place full of wonders and excitement. Steve and Andrew's cosmos is cosmos filled with picturesque nebulae and bright stars that shine like beacons in the vastness of space: red, blue, yellow, white, orange, green - all kinds of stars. It's also the place where long space convoys roam cosmic highways and dwellers of solitary outposts enjoy the beauty of our Universe looking through the windows of their suites. Metamorphic Illumination has all "otherwordly" qualities you'd expect from EM but at the same time it's very warm and inviting, despite the mysterious bits. This is quite simply one of the best Electronic Music albums I've heard!
See also: Guild of Fire
Music For Nitrous Oxide (1995)
Gravitational Pull vs. The Desire For An Aquatic Life (1996)
The Ballasted Orchestra (1996)
Per Aspera Ad
Astra (1998) (with Jon McCafferty)
Avec Laudenum (1999)
The Tired Sounds of Stars of the Lid (2001)
Stars of the Lid And Their Refinement of the Decline (2007)
Carte-De-Visite (2007)
Ambient music ala Brian Eno. If you like Discreet Music, check this out. Star's of the Lid is the duo of Adam Wiltzie and Brian McBride.
See also: Aix Em Klemm
Startled Insects (1984) (S)
Underworld / Black Spring (1985) (S)
Curse of
the Pheromones (1987)
Life Pulse (1991)
Skin (1994) (with Biggie Tembo)
Unusual upbeat and ambient EM from the duo of Tim Norfolk and Bob Locke. The debut eponymous EP is also known as Overzoom.
Rusali (2003)
Fires (2004)
Ritual Ambient from Roman Sidorov. Unfortunately, the author commited suicide in 2003, leaving no hope for the continuation of the project.
Statics (1989)
A collection of music by three members of Progressive Rock band Atlantis - Flemming K. Pedersen, Eirik Moland and Kent Eskildsen. Rare private cassette release.
See also: Timescape
Ramayana (2002)
Ambient Space Monkeys (2003)
Solipsism (2004)
Binary Motion
(2004)
Joint venture by Paul Nagle and Andy Pickford.
See also: Binar, Nagle, Paul, Pickford, Andy.
Desert Moon Walk (1977)
Ancient Leaves (1977)
Sustaining Cylinders
(1978)
Morning Jewel (1979)
Planetary Unfolding (1980)
Sonic Texture (1983)
Lyra
(1983)
Light Play (1983)
Chronos (1984) (soundtrack)
Plunge (1986)
Sacred Site (1986) (soundtrack)
Floating Whispers (1987)
Encounter (1988)
Desert Solitaire (1989) (with Kevin Braheny
and Steve Roach)
Baraka (1992) (soundtrack)
Singing
Stones (1994) (with Ron Sunsinger)
Kiva (1995) (with Steve Roach and Ron Sunsinger)
The
Lost World (1995)
The Light In the
Trees (1996)
Within (1998)
The Ninth Dimension (1998)
The Middle of Time (2000)
(soundtrack)
Spirits of the Voyage (2000) (soundtrack)
Sorcerer (2000) (with Ron
Sunsinger)
The Storm (2001)
A pioneer of the Space Music genre, Michael Stearns started to craft his own unique version of cosmic electronics since the early 1970's. By 1977, he managed to put together a studio and a specialized music label that issued his first works. By the start of the 1980's, Michael's name became associated with the then new New Age movement, although it's quite clear that Michael's music has different roots (although he *might* share some ideas) and has not more to do with New Age, than, say, Roedelius' music. The reason for this was the relaxing nature of Michael's compositions (I think someone out there could have assumed he could meditate to it), but it was also partly because at that time Michael worked with some acknowledged forerunners of the genre, namely Steven Halpern. Anyway, the New Age misunderstanding aside, what does the music sound like? It's floating, slowly unfolding stuff based on textures and drones, not on direct melodies or rhythms. Michael Stearns is one of the earliest users of the Serge modular synthesizer - a behemoth with monster possibilities. Planetary Unfolding is an example of work realized almost entirely using Serge modules. Stearns collaborated with Steve Roach and Ron Sunsinger, among others. The album Light Play from 1983 was re-released on CD a year later as M'Ocean.
Princess of Mars (1986)
Skylines
(1990)
Into the Exponential (1991)
Floating and rhythmic electronics from this UK synthesist.
Steeple of Fyre (1997)
One of the many Mauve Sideshow offshoots.
See also: Mauve Sideshow, Blessed Oblivion, Minus Infinity, Mistress of Strands, Thistle, Angel Provocateur, Torn Curtain, Kangaroo Kourt.
I Ging Symphony (1996)
Human Symphony (2002)
Touching Silk
(2004)
The first album is similar in style to The China by Vangelis. Frank Steiner (b. in 1966) is mostly known as composer of Ethnic music and producer of other artists.
Unexplored Dimensions (1988)
Not From This Earth (2001)
Le Rire des Etoiles (2002)
You'll Never See Your World Again (2005)
This project (the guy calls himself Tirdad CK) out of Ile-de-France was very much inspired by the old Sci-fi films of the 1950's and 1960's. The music ranges from pure Dark Space, to Noise Ambient, spacey guitar ballads and more rhythmic and experimental stuff.
See also: Necromondo
Virtual Wars (2005)
Gladiator (2006)
Day And Night (2006)
Romantic (2007)
Abstraction (2008)
To be honest, the Moscow-based artist and sound engineer Victor Stellar puzzles me. He tends to use shorter tracks, and some of his music sounds like the cheapest version of Electronica / Trance music, with cheesy samples, primitive 4/4 rhythms and quite uninspired synth sounds. On the other hand, he also does some sequencing and melodic solos in pure Neo-Prog EM vein. So where to place him? I don't know. I hope he forsakes the "Electronica" ambitions for his next release and goes for the full-blown EM sound.
Preview (1993)
Preview Zwo (1993)
The guy who appeared on the album Wanhfried - Trancelation. Rhythmic, sometimes Techno-tinged EM.
Cosmic Flight (1986) (with Tony
Gerber and William Linton)
Luna Waves (2000)
One Step Into the Unknown (2003)
Planetary Revelations (??)
Berlin School music ala Ashra / Klaus Schulze.
Self-Realization (1992)
Meditative Motivative (1994)
Keith Stewart has been playing piano since age nine. During college years he started performing in Rock bands. At the age of fifteen he built himself a Minimoog-like kit synthesizer and that's when his interest in Electronic Music started to grow. Another major influence has been Jazz music, especially Bebop.
Maps Without Edges (1996)
Nick Parkin, Martin Franklin (TUU) and Eddy Sayer (Lights In A Fat City). Ethnic/ Tribal Ambient.
See also: Parkin, Nick, Lights In A Fat City, TUU.
StillStand (1998)
Nebel (1999)
Ordnung (2000)
Symbiosen (2001)
Peace (2001)
Schein (2004)
Kreuzung (2004)
Starre (2004)
Schauer (2006)
Rites ov Lamashtu (2008) (S) (with Conscientia Peccati)
Ambient soundscapes from Martin Steinebach.
Demo of the Demo (1995)
Stimulus (1998)
Live (2000)
101 Meditations On A Mutual Agreement (??)
Unprepared Piano (??)
White Light Connection For Our Friends (??)
A Motion Signal (1999)
The Secret Tapes (2000) (recorded in 1995 - 1998)
Who Makes the Machines That Make the Machines (2001)
Untitled Landscapes One (2006)
The Mind Defies (2006)
Moments 3 (2008) (EP)
Dark Ambient and otherwordly sci-fi-ish stuff from Richard Lee, Benjamin Topley and Jonathan Riley.
Magic Melodies (1989)
Belgian musician born in 1966 in Genk. At the age of 6 years he started getting involved in music and by the mid-1980's he assembled a private synthesizer studio. Peter Stinissen is known as the man who staged and scored planetarium shows in his native town of Genk and composed several soundtracks.
Stabile Estimates (??)
This album is an obscure underground cassette release of Electronic Music with traces of everything, from classic 70's cosmic stuff to 80's Synth-Pop.
Recharged (1999)
Sandscapes (2000)
Stirlitz is the pseudonym of Russian synthesist Andrei Kolomitsev from Kaliningrad. He composed a lot of music for TV commercials that were shown on local TV channel. His style has some German influences.
The World of Azquan (2002)
Mining
(2005)
Mine Works (2006) (with Remo Perrotti)
Future Science (2007)
Solar Mission (2008) (with Mac of BIOnighT)
A project of Belgian musician Godfried Stockmans. The music is in a very emotional and heartfelt style that is extremely hard to classify. I suppose it could be called rhythmic Ambient, but the term 'Space Music' is more appropriate here, imho. Strong compositions and very cosmic. Great stuff!
Burning Igloo (1995)
Washed In Mercury (1997)
Zo Pilots (1998)
A
Collection of Live Recordings (2000)
Edge of the Forest (2000)
Outfolding (2000)
Abstraction (2001)
Thermal Transfer (2002) (with Vir Unis)
Fields (2003)
Radiate (2004)
Vast (2006)
Villa Galaxia (2008)
Metacollage (2009)
Saul Stokes is an Ambient artist born in Seattle and currently residing in Oakland. I've heard Abstraction and I can say that I was hooked right from the beginning. Great ambient Space Music, created almost exclusively on self-built (mostly analogue) equipment. Very warm analogue sound. Actually, the music of Stokes reminded me more on the Space Music genre, especially artists like Telomere, than on some Ambient stuff. I haven't heard such warmth in music for a long time now. Despite being mostly arrhythmic and ambient in nature, the music holds the attention well, because the sounds are not static and there's plenty of experimentation involved. This guy knows how to do it. My highest recommendation.
Reversion (1996)
Rob Jenkins from Redshift creates tribal dreamscapes using synth and electronic guitar. Some friends give a hand: Martin Smith, Neil Cowley.
See also: Redshift
18 Days (1979)
Electronic Music influenced by Morton Subotnick's works and Minimalism.
There Is Only One (2002)
Element (2004) (with Geert Verbeke)
Electronic Innerscapes (2007) (with Geert Verbeke)
Caramel (2007)
If you want to hear an "ambient" album without getting bored, then Element is for you. What we have here is more or less a demo disc and Geert Verbeke (who also plays singing bowls on the album) provides some nice Haiku verses for the booklet. Ok, it's a music encyclopedia, so I'll concentrate on the musical aspect here. Each track on this CD corresponds to a certain element, like water, wood, metal, earth etc. The style is pretty hard to describe. It's pretty exciting and represents a set of rhythmic, ambient and melodic pieces. There are a lot of tribal rhythms, so it's almost Tribal Ambient, although it sounds nothing like Steve Roach. The sounds he uses are generally very original and unlike anything I've heard. Overall, it's some kind of an ambient fusion that incorporates deep reverberated metallic / bowl sounds, lots of percussion, traditional EM, contemporary synth and what I can only describe as Jovica Storer style. The dynamics are great and the mysterious, at times a bit dark atmosphere prevails. The rhythms are very well constructed and overall I have to wonder how talented this guy is. I really hope to hear more from Jovica Storer in the near future. I for one recommend this disc to all lovers of ambient and melodious / rhythmic synth styles!
A Light Year's Journey (1992)
Eclipse (1994)
Dreams And Visions (1995)
Mariner (1995)
Aquamorph (2000)
Earthstar (2000)
Transglobal Friendship (2006)
Dragonflight (2009)
Deep Space / Ambient musician from New Zealand.
See also: Aural Scenarios
Threads (1980)
In Another Country (1982)
Untitled (1984)
Three Feet From the Moon (1985)
Wheat And Rust (1986)
Glass Green
(1987)
Beguiled (1991)
A Desparate Serenity (1991) (with Dwight
Ashley)
The Perfect Flaw (1994)
In Search of Angels (1994)
Drop (1997)
(with Dwight Ashley)
The Persistence of Memory (1999) (with Hans-Joachim Roedelius)
Shadowplay (2000)
Lunz (2002) (with Hans-Joachim Roedelius)
Caravan (2005) (soundtrack)
Standing & Falling (2005) (with Dwight Ashley)
Buzzle (2006)
Inlandish (2008) (with Hans-Joachim Roedelius)
Errata (2008) (with Dwight Ashley and Hans-Joachim Roedelius)
American Ambient composer born in 1957 in Philadelphia and currently residing in Ohio. Tim Story teached himself to play piano in a very individual style and also embraced the first wave of analog synthesizers in the 1970's. In the next decade his recording career started, with some albums getting critical acclaim from specialized EM / ambient press. His music is very often light and piano-based, like Harold Budd. On later albums he developed a highly melodic electronic chamber style, using piano, electronics and chamber music structures. Quite unique and very good, even if not totally my kind of thing. His 2005 collaborative effort with Dwight Ashley is an outstanding ambient release the veers a bit towards darker territories. Read my review of this album here.
Closer Than Home (1985)
The above album was re-released in 1988 on Hearts of Space as Sir Lancelot's Dream.
Different Colours (1994)
The Lost Tapes
(1996)
Moments In Passion (1997)
Stollwerck '96 (1997) (with Brainwork)
Prog-influenced EM by Gerd Lubos from Germany.
Eleven To the Fourth Twice (2002)
Ambient EM by Starcastle bass player. I know it involves fractals in some way but no details about the musical style as of yet.
Lost In Unity (1992)
Introspective Spaces (1996) (S)
Life Reviewed (1999)
Reassembly (1999)
Ambient / dark. Stratosphere is Ronald Mariën.
Events In Motion (1990)
Electronic Passion
(1991)
Legend of the Wolves (1991)
Jewels (1993)
Sequenzen Ohne Grenzen (1994)
Dialogue With the Universe (1995)
Joerg Strawe is the owner of CUE-Records and during the 1990's, he made Berlin School Electronic Music. I have Legend of the Wolves which is sort of a lengthy concept album. It gets dull at places but generally is quite good, especially the atmosphere. Most of the music is very laid-back and relaxed, with wide atmospherics and slow electronic rhythms.
Fabula Sjuzhet (2008) (S)
Losthilde (2009)
An Avalanche of Swollen Tongues (2009)
Stray Ghost is ambient artist Anthony Saggers from Canterbury.
Echo Lake (2005)
Beyond the Horizon (2005)
The Earth Ambient (2006)
Varied Ambient material from Gary Mulford, sometimes a bit on the New Age side of things.
Eileen (1977)
Because of all the mess and uncertainty as to which Streetmark albums can be considered electronic, I just decided to leave the album made with Wolfgang Riechmann in. You know... Just to be sure. Eileen was re-released in 1979 as Wolfgang Riechmann & Streetmark.
See also: Riechmann, Wolfgang, Raukes, Dorothea.
An Electronic Visit To the Zoo And Sound Hypnosis (1979)
Strohner, Jiri (Czech Republic)
Die Sieben Innere Meere (1995)
Melodic synth music.
Introflexie (1995)
Tristitia (1996)
Bete Noire (2003)
Dark Ambient project from Munich that includes Artur Zab.
Feldweihe (2000)
Martial Ambient / Industrial.
Solestas (1987)
Mark Styles was Roger Powell's assistant during the recording of Air Pocket. He released at least one solo album.
Outfall (2002)
Insomnie (2003)
Obstacles (2005)
The Chrysalis Secret (2005)
Spring Meeting (2006) (S) (with Selaxon Lutberg)
Summer Meeting (2006) (S) (with Selaxon Lutberg)
Winter Meeting (2006) (S) (with Selaxon Lutberg)
Mesmerize (2008)
Fall Meeting (2009) (S) (with Selaxon Lutberg)
Dark Ambient project of Andrea Freschi from Milan, Italy. Andrea is a drummer for Canaan and member of Konau, along with Gabriel Panci (New Risen Throne). He makes his soundscapes with processed field / concrete recordings and subtle electronics.
See also: Coma Divine, Konau.
Silver Apples of the Moon (1967)
The Wild Bull (1968)
Touch (1969)
Jacob's Room (1970)
Sidewinder (1971)
Four Butterflies (1974)
Until Spring (1975)
A Sky of Cloudless Sulphur (1978)
The Wild
Beasts (1981)
Return (1986)
Morton Subotnick (born in 1933) is one of the pioneers of synthesizer music mostly within academic format. However, some tend to see Silver Apples of the Moon and his other early all-synthesizer works as precursors to the so-called "sequencer music" that would emerge several years later, mainly from Germany. Works listed above may be of interest even to a "normal" EM fan.
Bioloophorm: I (2003)
Bioloophorm:
II (2004)
Biorephorm (2005)
Ambient music from Tomasz Szatewicz, somewhat similar to Biosphere in feel. Biorephorm is a compilation of remixes, adaptations and recyclings of Subradial's Bioloophorm 1 album created by Saul Stokes, Vir Unis, Off the Sky, The Circular Ruins, Vidna Obmana and Subradial himself.
Präposition (2003)
Bernhard Wöstheinrich and Thorsten Niestrath creating classic EM with some new elements.
See also: Centrozoon, Show of Exaggeration, The Redundant Rocker.
A duo of Howard Moscovitz and Bill Fox.
See also: Xeroid Entity
Subterranean Source (2002)
Vivid
Circles (2002)
Relic (2008)
Dark Ambient by Andrea Bellucci (of Red Sector A and Son-Dha). Mastered by Robert Rich.
L'Home Reanimat (1982)
This electronic band was formed in the 70's by Albert Gimenez, Michel Huygen and Jordi Garcia. Initially, it was called Yeti, but after their first concert the name was changed to Suck Electronic. Through Michel Huygen, Gimenez met the musicians from Macromassa and joined them after Suck Electronic called it a day. He continued to work with Huygen on some Neuronium albums. Note that sometimes Suck Electronic is also referred to as Suck Electronic Encyclopedic. The above album was released by a different line-up with only Jorgi Garcia left of the original members. The other musicians are Angel Galcera, Pito Galcera, Josep Gimenez (Albert??), Jaime and Manolo Torres. The music is a mixture of EM and Space Rock ala Hawkwind / Gong.
See also: Gimenez, Albert, Huygen, Michel.
Virtual Wave (2000)
Tangerine Dream style.
The Arctic (1989) (soundtrack)
The
Arctic II (1989) (soundtrack)
Soundtracks for TV documentaries about the Arctic from this little-known synthesist. The music falls somewhere between melodic / atmospheric Vangelis (ala Antarctica) and Kitaro.
Phasenvoid / Retronique (2003) (with
Vibravoid)
Sulatronics (2003)
Sulatronics 2 (2009)
Sula Bassana is a nom-de-plume of Space Rock / experimental musician Dave Schmidt. These albums are almost exclusively electronic-based.
Der Fluch Des Lebens (2004)
More or less classic formula Dark Ambient from Adelaide-based artist Michael Szysz.
Between Heaven And Sea (2004)
(soundtrack)
Ascension (2005)
Cave Songs (2006) (S)
The Great Attractor (2006)
Dark Ambient musician with a Ritual / Musique Concrete bend (Cave Songs) and Dark Space tendencies (The Great Attractor).
See also: Ahasverus
Circle (1998)
Tribal Ambient somewhat in Steve Roach vein and with some Vangelis thrown in as well. Harvey Summers contributed a lot of music to a series of samplers with Chill-Out / Ethnic music.
Atlantis (1969)
My Brother the Wind (1970)
The Night of the Purple Moon (1970)
Live In Paris 1970 (1970)
My Brother the Wind Vol. 2 (1971)
The Solar Myth Approach Vol. 1 (1971)
The Solar Myth Approach Vol. 2 (1971)
Dark Myth Equation Visitation (1971)
Nidhamu (1971)
Nuits de la Fondation Maeght Vol. 1 (1971)
Nuits de la Fondation Maeght Vol. 2 (1971)
Soundtrack To the Film Space Is the Place (1972) (soundtrack)
Outer Space Employment Agency (1973)
Astro Black (1973)
Crystal Spears (1973)
Cymbals (1973)
Concert For the Comet Kohoutek (1973)
Space Probe (1974)
Media Dreams (1978)
Disco 3000 (1978)
Saturn SR 51879 Single (1979) (S)
Beyond the Purple Star Zone (1980)
Oblique Parallax (1982)
Cosmo Sun Connection (1985)
John Cage Meets Sun Ra (1987) (with John Cage)
United World In Outer Space (2009) (recorded in 1975)
Sun Ra is an absolute legend in the field of Free Jazz, besides being a great visionary. The albums listed above are probably the most interesting Ra records for an EM fan. Of course this legendary character has a huge discography both as a soloist and with his Astro-Solar Infinity Arkestra, Solar Myth Arkestra and such other "arkestras". The ones I thought were of interest are those dominated by Ra's electronic textures and Moog playing. Other players on these records usually assume a secondary role. Any of the above albums are recommended if you wish to check out Sun Ra at his most spacey and electronic, and each album generally has at least one long or several short electronic tracks. Crystal Spears and Cymbals were both released on CD as The Great Lost Sun Ra Albums.
British synthesist who was in contact with Direction Music label in the 1990's.
Ritual Head / Right Sun (2005)
Exorcism (2005)
Fictio (2007)
Ruina Astrasiab (2007)
Komodia Delta (2007) (S)
Raw, unpolished Dark Ambient with strong Drone element from Rostov-On-Don-based artist Denis Shapovalov.
Reach For Tomorrow (2004) (S)
A mini-CD from this synthesist.
Played In Heaven (1996)
Ambient music from Martin Lee-Stephenson (with a few guest vocalists and musicians, including Bob Derwood Andrews on slide guitar).
See also: Vulse
Cosmic Insight, Baby Part 1 (2007) (S)
Suneaters is a duo of Tobias Fischer and Mirko Uhlig (also known as Feu Follet). Their debut 10" record is in typical Teutonic (Berlin School) style. Steve Jolliffe guests on flute.
See also: Feu Follet
Nothing's Wrong In Paradise (1985)
The above album was recorded in 1984 by two members of Belgian Jazz-Rock band Kandagar with Etienne Delarue as guest musician. Instruments used were: Memorymoog, Prophet 5 and 10, Roland TR-808, Fender Rhodes 73, Korg lead synth, acoustic and electronic pianos and percussion.
Sunya Beat (1998)
Delhi Slide (1999)
The Jelenia Gora Sessions (2005)
Comin' Soon (2006)
A trio of Axel Manrico Heilhecker, Harald Grosskopf and Steve Baltes. The electronic guitar of Heilhecker sounds clearly influenced by Manuel Goettsching's style. Delhi Slide has a couple of songs with female vocals and the rest are rather intense instrumental workouts with cool rhythms, synths and wailing guitar. Ashra fans take note.
See also: Grosskopf, Harald, Baltes, Steve, Ash Ra Tempel / Ashra, N-Tribe.
First Album (1991)
Electronic duo formed in 1990 by Martin Höwner and Steffen Scholz. The first album starts with deep bass notes. After a while a relaxed melodic theme is introduced, along with a slow rhythm. A nice melodic theme serves as the basis for this track. A bubbling bass line is a nice extra touch to this moody piece. "Distance From Ravel" is a Classically inspired piece with a marching rhythm. Nothing to write home about but not bad either. The second part of this track is sub-titled "Believe the Eternity" and it immediately sets a mysterious tone with a synth pad and low, growling synths. An upbeat rhythm starts, taking us to early 1990's Tangerine Dream territory. I am not a fan of that period but those who like their Melrose and Quinoa might find this hugely enjoyable. Overall, I found this piece to be somewhat lacking in the timbral territory but very enjoyable melodic-wise. "After the Clouds" is a slow moody piece. I liked this one - simple but effective. "Remember Me A." sets a spookier tone with heavy bass and resonating synths. After a while a dreamy cor anglais melody starts. A rhythm propels this track forward in a relaxed and undemanding manner. This track did nothing to me - it's all too simple and accessible. "Hypnotic" is way more interesting. We have a bubbling synth bass line for a start which then transforms into a good late-1980's TD type melodic theme. "Ultimatum" introduces a new element - a metallic, resonating synth intro that doesn't sound like an intro to an early 1990's EM piece at all. It's all pretty dark and menacing, until a reflective harp / choir theme is introduced and we are treated to a more typical 1990's MIDI sound. "In A Fairy-Tale" sounds almost danceable, with its rolling bass line, upbeat drum machine and a simple melodic theme. I found it too easy-listening. "Esperanza" has a nice atmospheric beginning with bird song samples and a reflective harp / flute theme. Overall, this album a nice debut, albeit very typical of its era (i.e. lots of general MIDI sounds). The tracks were made with digital synths only and it shows. If you absolutely must have that analogue warmth in your music, perhaps it's better to steer clear of this one. However, if you enjoy general melodic EM or if you like that particular period (late 1980's - early 1990's), Sunyata's first album could be right up your valley. In 2005, a retrospective album was released, containing music recorded separately by members of Sunyata in 1993 - 1998. It's a Techno album that has nothing to do with EM. You can read my review of it here.
Metaluna (1978)
Roboterwerke (1979)
Futurist (1981)
Supersempfft was basically the project of Dieter Kolb plus some friends. Initially inspired by Kraftwerk, the music goes far beyond those influences.
Surface 10 (1996)
In Vitro
Tide (2000)
Borrowed Time (2000)
Surface Tensions (2006)
More or less Berlin School-inspired Ambient on DiN label. Surface 10 is Californian synthesist Dean De Benedictis.
See also: Benedictis, Dean De, Cathexis.
Suspended Memories (international)
Forgotten Gods (1992)
Earth Island (1993)
Suspended Memories are Suso Saiz, Steve Roach and Jorge Reyes. Tribal atmospheric Ambient.
See also: Saiz, Suso, Roach, Steve, Reyes, Jorge.
Mysteerien Maailma (1999)
Experimental Ambient by Marko Laiho of Black Metal band Beherit.
Morning Picture (1984)
Touch of Rain (1985)
On IC label. Pretty quiet instrumental synth tracks. Yoshio Suzuki has a background in Jazz music and is a descendant of famous violin-making dynasty.
Devouring Consciousness (2001)
Of
Darkness And Re-Creation (2003)
Traces of Nothingness (2005)
Elegies For the End (2009)
Dark Ambient like a cross between Amon and Lustmord, with extra touches of melody and sadness. Svartsinn is Jan Roger Pettersen.
Silent Echoes (1990)
Forgotten
Island (1995)
White Horses (1997)
Foreign Object (2003)
Svensson is actually Tobias Becker, a film music composer, studio musician and Klaus Schulze collaborator who appears on Contemporary Works. Mixture of oboe, various wind-controlled instruments and EM.
Pioneer 7 (1989)
Musik Elektronen (1997)
Then...And Now (2008) (recorded in 1986 - 2007)
Dave Sweet has been creating melodic and rhythmic cosmic Electronic Music for many years now. In 1980, he lost four fingers on his right hand due to an industrial accident. Despite this, he continued to compose and perform not only as a solo artist but also as keyboardist for Progrock / World Music ensemble Anubis Spire.
Sweet Machines (Czech Republic)
Moon (1993)
Electronic duo of Roman Chovanec and Lumir Častka currently known as T-Sonic.
Te Deum (1979)
Electronic Music made with an ARP Omni and a Synthi AKS. Presumably quite avant-guard-ish.
The Strong Shall Prevail (2002)
Illusions of Light (2000)
Ping (2002)
Sculptor (2003) (with Pholde)
Dreamlife (2004)
Terraform (2005)
Sadu Live (2006) (with Anomalous Disturbances and URM)
The Endless Vista (2007) (with Robert Carty)
Ambient from Eric Hopper.
See also: SADU
The Skywatcher (1993)
No Man's Land (1995)
Hypnotize (1995)
Inner Dates (1996)
Floating Silence (1996) (with Venja)
Navigator
(1997)
Cosmic Excursion (1998)
Whispering World (1998)
Source of Secrets (2000)
Relaxing music from Peter De Backer and Johan Van der Abeele. Navigator reminds on Vangelis.
Passages (2006)
A Midsummer Night's Dream (2006)
Slavine (2008)
This Italian artist creates melancholic synth atmospheres with symphonic touches that will appeal to fans of Mortiis and Vinterriket. A Midsummer Night's Dream was re-released in 2007 with two additional tracks as Stabat Nvda Aestas.
Parallel Allegories (2006) (recorded in 1991)
A project by Jose Murcia founded in 1978. This release contains ambient Electronic Music.
See also: Holosphere
Soundwave Traveller (2002)
Thru
the Syngate (2003)
Synphara (2003)
Sonus (2004)
Orange (2004)
Skyline (2005)
The Glass Bridge (2006)
61 Cygnus-Alpha (2007)
Berlin School electronics by Scottish musician David T. Dewdney. Note that Orange contains different kind of music with lots of influences from the Techno scene - rhythmic, danceable and uplifting. With Skyline it's a return to form with pure Berlin-based sequencer material and one long Mellotron-drenched opus. David's music sounds more 70's Tangerine Dream than anything I've heard so far. Really, if you like long sequencer passages, solos, improvisation and tons of Mellotron - Syn's ready to serve you heavy doses of electronic brilliance. In fact, some of the material sounds exactly like some kind of archive TD material from the mid to late 70's. Well, he does infuse these clasic sounds with his own touch, but the influences are quite obvious. From the long, mysterious, pulsing epicness of "Soundwave Traveller" to the Mellotron-drenched tapestry of "Mellotropica", Syn will guide you through the realms of classic Berlin School sound. Other tracks of note include "Slipstream" - a track that sounds like an outtake from the "Thief" sessions (really, the sounds, rhythms, soloing - everything here reminds on this excellent soundtrack work by TD), "Freefall" - a classic formula Berlin School track with long rhythmic / sequenced section and an atmospheric conclusion, "Distant Vision" - a track that could easily have been recorded during Tangerine Dream's "Encore" tour (tons of Mellotron), "Cydonia" and "Skyline" (both typical Berlin School tracks). My favourite tracks of the ones I heard are "Transcendant" (excellent sequencing!) and "Valles Marineris" - a totally unique, atmospheric trip with unusual rhythms and gorgeous pads / soundscapes. David's music is usually built around improvisations.
Embody (1994)
Desideratum (1995)
Ephemeral
(1997)
The same people (Bill Leeb and Rhys Fulber) as Delerium / Front Line Assembly. It is their most 'classic EM'-oriented project.
See also: Delerium
Kaskade (1985)
Synthasia (1986)
Motodrom (1988)
85 - 89 (1989)
Evolution of Events (1991)
Reincarnation In A Superior System (1993)
Said to be similar to early Eighties' Tangerine Dream.
See also: Klare, Frank
Magma (1994)
Keeper of the Universal Energy
(1995)
Beyond the Unknown (1996)
The Mind Synphony (1996)
Mind Trips (1997)
Circles of Life (1997)
The Legacy of God (1998)
Birth of A Black Hole
(1999)
Syndromeda In CHAOS (2000) (with C.H.A.O.S.)
The Alien Abduction Phenomenon (2001)
In Touch
With the Stars (2001)
Creatures From the Inner (2003)
Metaphysical Experiences
(2005)
A Day In the Fields (2005)
Attack! (2006)
Last Days On Earth (2006)
The Resurrection (2006)
Mythical Pursuit (2008)
Best of Tapes & Unreleased 1995 - 2002 (2008)
Von Haulshoven Meets Syndromeda (2008) (with Von Haulshoven)
Twilight Conjunction (2009)
Classified (2009)
Syndromeda is Danny Budts who was born in 1958 in Wilrijk. At the age of 14 he started playing acoustic guitar. Four years later he played electric guitar in a Rock band. However, in the mid 1970's he discovered Electronic Music and was impressed and inspired by it. In 1979 Danny built a Formant modular synthesizer and started experimenting with it. A Roland SH-2000 followed and his musical adventure began. During the years that followed Danny has accumulated a formidable amount of synths and samplers and built himself a studio in the back of his house. That's where most of his cassette and CD productions were realized. Danny's music can be described as rather straightforward Berlin School electronics, where sequenecing and solos play the most important roles.
See also: Budts, Danny, Amin.
Outer Reaches (1992)
Being There (1993)
Blind Date (1996)
Dutch synth duo consisting of Andre Theelen and Harold Teunissen. A mixture of Ambient and rhythmic styles.
Electronic Realizations For Rock Orchestra
(1975)
Sequencer (1976)
Cords (1978)
Games (1979)
Audion (1980)
Computer Experiments
Vol.1 (1981)
The Jupiter Menace (1982) (soundtrack)
Metropolitan Suite (1986)
Reconstructed Artifacts (2002)
Synergy is Larry Fast who is one of the pioneers of Electronic Music and one of the most important electronic musicians from America. His works are classics of the genre. There's no need to mention that they are recommended to any serious EM fan. The music is quite diverse, from classic rhythmic and atmospheric synthesizer excursions to almost Neo-Classical structures, to the most abstract and experimental forms of Ambient (on Computer Experiments).
See also: Intergalactic Touring Band, The
The 7th Dimension (2007)
A Musical Guide To Cosmic Wonders (2009)
Syngularity is German musician Pascal Gregory. On The 7th Dimension a lot of guest musicians participate and the music is a mixture of driving, melodic electronics ala Jarre and guitar playing in the style of post-1985 Tangerine Dream. "Anaximander" opens with moody effects, before a reflective organ / drums theme is introduced. This is spacey and Pink Floyd-like stuff, with floating guitar and rich keyboards. However, the sound becomes much more 80's like, as a steady drum rhythm is introduced. The wonderful guitar really adds to the atmosphere. "Hawking" opens with marimba-like sequences and a stiff electronic rhythm. Symphonic keyboards take over, as the track returns to its rhythmic formula. This one will be enjoyed by fans of the 1980's Tangerine Dream. "She's So Fine" is a rhythmic, dreamy piece in pure late 1980's, early 1990's TD tradition (think Melrose). This piece effectively combines fine keyboard arrangements and soaring, sometimes fast paced guitar solos. "Physics of Toys" is an uplifting electronic piece that reminds much more on Jarre's rhythmic style from the 1990's (circa Chronologie). "The Constant H" is another electronic piece with mucho sequenced elements and a few experimental touches (such as the heavily distorted / fuzzed guitar). "Appearance of Anything" takes thing to Jarre territory again. It doesn't remind on any particular work of the great frenchman, but the melodic sensibility is unmistakeably Jarre. "One Foot On the Floor" is the odd one of the lot, with it's pedestrian rhythm and a rather disjointed melodic content. A good track, though, with a nice guitar solo appearing in the second part. "Dream Vortex" surpsises with pure 1970's style sequencing and a trancey, totally out-there, cosmic atmosphere. "Tomorrow's Yesterday" is basically a "Hard Rock EM" track, with heavy riffs and organ chords combined with a drum rhythm, guitar solos and symphonic keyboards. "Ocean" is on the Jazzy side of things, with saxes, pianos and all. Not the best track if you ask me. "M Theory" is a laid-back piece with fine guitar playing over a bed of electronic keyboards and a steady rhythm."Waking Life" relies too much on simple 4/4 techno beat. The textures and arrangements are fine, though. The title track is rather laid-back, with very pleasant guitar arrangements and a Jazzy vibe (it works this time!). Also of note are quality synth sounds. "Her Oasis" is a romantic ballad that closes this album with reflective piano, flute melodies and a soaring guitar solo over a Rock rhythm. Overall, if a driving hybrid of electronics and guitar is your idea of a good album, Syngularity's The 7th Dimension is something to check out. Style: TD circa 1988 - 1992, Jarre, Guido Meyer et al.
Synopsis (1986)
A Prog band formed by Igor Garsnek and Nevil Blumberg. Most of the time just your normal keyboard-drenched Symphonic Rock with lots of solos and a Jazzy edge. However, it does contain enough electronic elements to actually enter the sphere of interest of EM fans. Some tracks are completely or almost completely electronic.
Surrillion Dreams (1998)
Tempus Fluxus
(1999)
Gotterdammerung (2000)
Tales From the Holodeck (2002)
Earth Views (2005)
Music very much in the style of classic Tangerine Dream. What I've heard so far was quite good.
Synoptic Music Plant (Germany)
Floating Analogics (1995)
Actually a duo of Fanger & Siebert.
See also: Fanger, Thomas, Fanger & Siebert
Fade In (2000)
Miscellaneous bunch of melodic and rhythmic EM tracks from Stephan Dargel.
Carried By Wings (1986)
Electronic Music band formed in 1980 by Frank Roozdant. None of their music got released.
See also: Roozdant, Frank
By Trial And Error (1989)
Atmospheres
(1991)
If you like Laserdance, then this is for you. Also fans of Jean-Michel Jarre may want to check it out. Syntech is the duo of Edvin Van Der Laag (the guy who designed covers for Laserdance records) and Huib Schippers.
See also: Trilithon
AeroDynamics (2007)
Atmosphere (2008)
OceanoGraphy (2009)
Rhythmic and melodic music from Dutch synthesist Michel van Osenbruggen. Michel became interested in synthesizers during the late 1980's / early 1990's. It was at that time that he started collecting electronic instruments. Since 2005 Michel composes music on a regular basis. Two years later he started to release and promote his material. His early influences included Jean-Michel Jarre and Vangelis.
Synthese (1984)
Electronic project by one Obed Lubin released on a NY-based label. Obed plays a variety of synthesizers on this release that includes a couple of instrumental covers of popular Haitian singers.
Space Travels (2005)
Space Disco in Laserdance style by Robert Ludwinski.
Synthetic Block (1998)
The Opposite of
Staring Into Space (1999)
Live At the
Gathering (2001)
Book of Formation (2001)
Driving Backward (2001)
Sonic Approach (2002)
Escape Velocity (2006)
Means of Ascent (2006)
Shadows On Water (2007) (with The Circular Ruins)
Electronic Music similar to Berlin School with new elements by one Jonathan Block. Book of Formation and Driving Backward contain (mostly) re-arranged pieces from Jonathan's early cassette releases (mostly culled from the 1995 - 1996 era).
See also: Block, Jonathan
Synthetic Music (international)
Synthetic Music (1978)
Music by Myriam Chadcar, Martin Lanibor, Jean-Pierre Decerf, William Gum-Boot and Lawrence Wiffin.
Synthetic Orchestra (France??)
E.T. Theme / Le Piano Spatial (1982) (S)
Electronic Pop (Space, Paris France Transit, Zodiac vein) produced by G. Tempesti. Side One contains a John Williams cover, while the flip is supposedly original composition.
The Mind's Eye (1990)
Love Is Digital (1992) (S)
Technology (1993)
Technology v2.0 (1995)
Abstract (1996)
Precision Movements (2005)
Music by Kevin Bate comparable to Kraftwerk and Laserdance. Energetic.
Witchking (1997)
October Fool's Day (1999)
Eleven One (1999)
Island of Misfit Noise (1999)
Ascension (2000)
Actually a pseudonym of Daniel Byerly.
See also: Cacophony, Bertrom, Cabot Jr., DiBane, Lee.
Syrinx (1970)
Long Lost Relatives
(1971)
A band led by John Mills-Cockell.
See also: Mills-Cockell, John
The Cosmos Unveiled (??)
Obscure release from Electronical Dreams label. A note for synth-heads: talk about the ability to aptly name the project!
Demos 1999 - 2000 (2000)
Demos 2001 - 2002 (2002)
Soundtracks For Imaginary Movies
(2004)
Codetalkers (2007)
Electronic Music by Steven Davies-Morris, Greg Amov and Mike Dickson from California, USA. Very diverse but with Berlin School and modern / melodic elements dominating.
See also: Amov, Greg, Dickson, Mike.
Sygnal z Odleglej Przestreni (2009)
Melodic music from this Polish synthesist.
Some Deaths Take Forever (1980)
Superficial
Music (1981)
Brute Reason (1983)
The Big Scare (1984) (S)
Indecent Delit
(1986) (S)
Death And Other Small Illusions (2004)
Bernard Szajner is one of the pioneers of Electronic Music and laser light shows. During the 1970's, he became known thanks to his ability to stage spectacular visual shows that were used by many artists, including Jean-Michel Jarre, Magma, Gong and Klaus Schulze. He is also notable for inventing the Laser Harp - a synthesizer controller that used real light beams, made famous by Jean-Michel Jarre during the 1980's. His own works contain Electronic Music similar to Heldon in style, with much Rock vigour and subtle Zeuhl touches.
See also: Zed, Hypothetical Prophets, The.
Dies (1991)
Zle Sny (1994)
Water Wonder No.1 (1983)
Snapshot From the Island (1987)
Private Exits (1989)
Meteo (1989) (with Janos Masik)
Ain't Nothing But A Little Music For Moving Pictures (1992) (recorded in 1988 -
1991)
Tractatus (1995)
Relative Things (1998) (recorded in 1994 - 1997)
Invisible Story (2001)
Veteran Hungarian synthesist (born in 1955) with Jazzy and cosmic stylings. Some of his works are non-electronic and are composed for chamber orchestra. Some tracks were recorded in the studio of Laszlo Hortobagyi and engineered by him. Tibor Szemzo often works with multimedia projects and text-sound composition.
Electroacoustic Compositions (1989)
Ianus (2001) (recorded in 1980 - 1999)
This synthesist (born in 1952) is often referred to as the Hungarian Klaus Schulze. He made a name for himself in the academic circles with significant achievements in the fields of Electro-Acoustic, Electronic and Chamber / Modern Classical music.
Ankaria (1999)
Creation - Universal
Consciousness (2002)
Classic EM with lots of sequencing and soloing. Recommended for Berlin School enthusiasts.
See also: Krawedz Swiatow
Sudetony (??)
Andrzej Szymalski is a Polish poet, musician and visual artist. In 1990 he moved to the Sudetes mountains where he started composing a cycle of Electronic Music works inspired by the surrounding nature that he called "Sudetony". These basically consisted of ambient soundscapes. The music was released on cassette somewhere in the early 1990's.