La Maquina de Cantar (1978)
Argentinean avant-garde composer (now residing in Paris). He appeared on the Viaje LP from It and released this solo album on the Cramps label. A no easy-listening experience, it features two sides of stark and experimental, monolithic and glurpy electronics, a fascinating mixture of Conrad Schnitzler, Klaus Schulze and minimalist composers. The first side is made with an IBM computer, the second with a Minimoog and a Yamaha organ.
See also: It
Music For Synthesizers (1986)
This Estonian composer (born in 1955 in Tartu) has other albums that represent a mixture of (mostly) avant-garde electronics and Folk music.
Ab Intra (2007) (S)
Hunting Horns (2008)
Birth To A Point It Comes (2009)
In Embers (2009)
The Relative Middle (2009)
Vakhchav is the work of ambient drone artist Nickolas Mohanna who uses guitar, electronics and tons of processing.
Val Well (1979)
Moog (1982)
Moog II (1982)
Val Podlasinski worked as sales manager for Moog Music in Buffalo. The first album was created on Moog synthesizers only. Others are library LPs.
Death Magick (1996)
Desert of Set (1998) (S)
Invokation Ov Forneus (1998)
Liber Al Vel Legis (1998)
The Graves of Andras (2001)
Post-Darkness Enshroud (Michael Ford) Black ambience.
See also: Darkness Enshroud
Everything Is Nothing (2001)
A
Piece of Snails Existence On the Vertical Street In Hell (2003)
Leaving To Nothing (1995)
Parking
Lot At San Diego International Airport (2004)
Live & Session Tapes (2005)
Valley Forge is Thomas Bechholds from Germany. Versatile, sequence-full music.
Colours (1998)
Geographic (1999)
Docking
(2000)
Human (2002)
Closer (2004)
Nomads (2006)
Air Machine (2009)
Belgian synthesist born in 1962 in Sint-Joost-ten-Node and currently residing in Aartselaar, Antwerpen. Geographic features lush, rhythmic, melodic music, with a symphonic Vangelis-like grandeur. The title track sounds a bit like Enigma / Deep Forest, and so do other upbeat tracks on this album, although Frank Van Bogaert's music is far better than anything by those two artists. Frank has a real knack for creating catchy and strong (although often quite simple) melodies. Slow tracks like "Rain" pleasantly recall such works as Antarctica. This is the kind of stuff you can listen to together with your family, even your girlfriend / wife will like this. Ethnic influences (tribal percussion, various ethnic instruments, voices) are scattered throughout the album although this is not exactly World Music, as these elements do not dominate the picture and are used only to compliment these melodic tracks. Amazingly, "Sauvage" has something of a Laserdance edge to it. The upbeat tracks are too "Pop" for my tastes, but many people will like this music. The best track on the album is in my opinion "Savior". The second best is the 2+ minute "Dreamworld". Docking follows in similar direction, although as a rule this album is more relaxed and more introspective than Geographic. The closest comparison would be, again, Vangelis, although Frank doesn't copy. He has his own signature, it's just that his approach to composing is somehow similar to that of the Greek maestro. On this album you will find once again some more "commercial" upbeat titles and some slow, romantic and relaxing tunes. Grand piano can be heard quite often, done in a pleasant, delicate manner. Overall, it's a good album, despite the fact that I thought some tracks were a bit overblown (as on Geographic - a feature that will be almost non-present on Human). Frank is really talented with his style. The best tracks (IMO) are the title track (I simply LOVE the sequences!) and "Churches". Human sees Frank adding improvisational methods to his style and it's my favourite album by him. You can read some more reviews of Frank's music in my reviews section.
Van Bradder (UK)
Dreamscapes (1997)
Images Oceaniques
(??)
Supposedly, great Space Music, sometimes reminding on Steve Roach or Robert Rich, but without the tribal elements. Nigel Van Bradder was influenced by Tangerine Dream, Klaus Schulze and Ambient artists.
Pearls of the Soul (1989)
Chiaroscuro (1992)
Pieces For the New World (1993)
This California-based synthesist creates grand orchestral emulations ala Vangelis with some Jarre-isms thrown in.
Soundtracks (??)
Soundtracks 2 (1993)
These are library CD's with ambient synthesizer music.
Praeparet Bellum (2006) (S)
Valtivar (2006)
Droning Black Ambient.
In Waking Moments (2007)
Sound artist from Ohio, USA. On his debut release, Justin Vanderberg is helped by Steve Roach. Minimal soundscape / Ambient music.
Echoes of Darkness (2007)
Music In My Mind (2008)
Fluorescentix (2008) (EP)
Earth Moving (2009)
From the Bottom of Space (2010)
Rhythmic, sequencer music from Polish synthesist Maciej Wierzchowski.
Vandroogenbroeck, Joel (Belgium)
Flirt (1972)
Images of Flute In Nature (1978)
Meditations Vol.1 (1979)
Meditations Vol.2 (1980)
Biomechanoid (1980)
Birth of Earth (1980)
Contemporary Pastoral And Ethnic Sounds (1980)
Lost Continents (1980)
However (1981)
Industrial Retrospect (1981)
Computer Blossoms (1981)
Mesopotamia Egypt (1982)
Middle Ages (1983)
Double Brain (1985) (with Bruno
Spoerri)
Southeast Asia (1985)
Digital Project (1987)
Video Games &
Data Movements (1988)
Avision (1988)
Sunrise (1993)
California, Industrial & Scenic Moods (??) (with Marc Monsen)
Advanced Process (??)
Datapulse (??)
Images (??)
Water World (??)
Hidden Atmospheres (2004)
Silicon Sirene (2006)
Moods And Movements (2007) (recorded in 1979 - 1995)
Alterated Frequencies (2007)
Meditation Vol. 3 (2007)
Meditation Vol. 4 (2007)
Most of these are super rare electronic library albums by the Brainticket frontman. Some ethnic material.
See also: Brainticket
Amazing Dimensions (2000)
Electronic Souls
Fusion (2001)
Electric Blue (2001)
Energy Train (2004)
Galaxy Channel 7 (2004)
New Millenium (2004)
Vanethian is Manuel Marino. Influences of Jarre, Synergy, etc. Rather easy-listening stuff.
Sex Power (1970)
Hypothesis (1971)
The
Dragon (1971)
Fais Que Ton Reve Soit Plus Long
Que La Nuit (1972)
L'Apocalypse Des
Animaux (1973) (soundtrack) (recorded in 1970)
Earth (1973)
Heaven And Hell (1975)
Ignacio
(1975) (soundtrack)
La Fete
Sauvage (1976) (soundtrack)
Albedo 0.39 (1976)
Spiral (1977)
Beaubourg (1978)
Opera
Sauvage (1979) (soundtrack)
China (1979)
See You Later (1980)
Odes (1980) (with Irene
Papas)
Chariots of Fire (1981) (soundtrack)
Blade Runner (1982) (soundtrack)
Antarctica
(1983) (soundtrack)
Soil Festivities (1984)
The Mask (1985)
Invisible Connections
(1985)
Rapsodies (1986) (with Irene Papas)
Direct (1988)
The City (1990)
1492,
Conquest of Paradise (1992) (soundtrack)
In London (1993) (S) (with Neuronium)
Voices
(1995)
El Greco (1995)
A Separate Affair (1996) (with Neuronium)
Oceanic (1996)
Mythodea (2001)
Alexander (2004) (soundtrack)
Inner Data: Themes III (2006) (recorded in 1970 - 2001)
Blade Runner Trilogy (2007)
El Greco (2007) (soundtrack)
Famous Greek synthesist (real name - Evanghelos Odyssey Papathanassiou), a self-taught musician whose career started in several Greek Rock bands before he began experimenting with electronics. His first 'serious' band was Aphrodite's Child, formed together with his friends and which also included Demis Roussos. Their 1972 album 666 marked the beginning of Vangelis' experiments with sound. The album shows his talents as a keyboard player and is generally the most experimental of all Aphrodite's Child releases. Earlier albums are just plain Pop songs with Progressive touches here and there. Fais Que Ton Reve Soit Plus Long Que La Nuit consists partly of material recorded by Vangelis in Paris 1968 during the left-winged student riots. It's an interesting mix of field recordings, news snipplets, piano themes, folk songs and electronics. It is very rare and was never released on CD, as far as I know. Earth is a collection of vocal songs. L'Apocalypse Des Animaux is a soundtrack to a Frederic Rossif's film about wildlife and is considered the first "New Age" album in some circles. Ignacio (aka Entends Tu Les Chiens Aboyer) is a work Vangelis did for a Mexican feature film that told the story of the old peasant travelling with his fatally diseased son to find a doctor. This work has a very romantic feel and is generally very melancholic sounding. Heaven And Hell features for the first time a collaboration with Jon Anderson, famous Yes singer, on the beautiful "So Long Ago, So Clear". Albedo 0.39, Spiral, China and Chariots of Fire contain some of the most well-known music by Vangelis. All are very melodic works. My own personal favourite albums are... prepare to be shocked... Beaubourg and Invisible Connections. Both are highly experimental (=interesting) works. Beaubourg is very avant-garde and abstract and Invisible Connections can be regarded as Dark Ambient, at least the first part. Direct is a great work, despite some boring tracks. The City still has some interesting ideas and a great atmosphere, but the rest of his recent output hasn't impressed me at all. Although there is El Greco, which is a very good tribute album to the greatest Spanish (IMHO) painter. The key to understanding such music lies in the listening approach. You simply shouldn't listen to El Greco the way you normally listen to EM. Listen to it as you listen to Classical music and you will get there. The rest of the recent stuff can be easily done without (IMHO, again). Vangelis is obviously much more interested in the "orchestral electronic" structures and sounds now, or, you can call it "New Age" if you like, because even if it's not New Age per se, it is very close to being just that. It's a pity that one of the most important electronic musicians of the 20th century has lost his creativity and experimental edge and immersed himself in the production of boring commercial drek. Ok, I understand that writing themes for Olympic Games is fun, but...
Notes: The Blade Runner soundtrack that was released in 1994 (the only version available) differs substantially from the original version recorded in 1982. It was edited with omissions and some additions too, mainly in the form of the dialogues from the film. A Separate Affair is the same single as In London, but with two extra remixes added. El Greco is the extended version of the 1995 limited CD. Odes was initially released as Irene Paras, with Vangelis only appearing in the credits, while Rapsodies was issued as 'Papas & Vangelis'.
See also: Aphrodite's Child, Jon & Vangelis.
Beyond the Horizon Line (2004)
The King of the Tundra (2006) (S)
Ex-Lycia musician. Dark, mysterious soundscapes.
Whirling Dervishes (1987)
Mkwaju (1988)
Acqua (1989)
Strangely, this Japanese project (Tomo Kuwabara & Yukio Nagoshi) features music that reminds on the style of Jorge Reyes. There's a compilation with tracks from their three albums titled Liberation And Ecstasy.
Beyond (1998)
Flashback (2006)
Synthesist with Space and quasi-Berlin School music styles.
Journey To Lhasa (1992)
The Face
of Nature (1994)
Mirror Images (2001) (with Apeiron)
World Music by a trio of Peter Kluge (woodwinds), Hjalmar Karthaus (electronics) and Udo Winkler (gongs, percussion).
Galactic Classics (1979)
Mystery of Bomarzo (1980)
Lightweight Electronic Music with vocoders and Disco moves by Claude Larson and Manuel Landy. The first album is Electronic / Disco reworkings of Classical pieces. Mystery of Bomarzo is more complex and contains original compositions.
See also: Larson, Claude, Netzle, Klaus, Futura Carlos, Elmulab, Power-Pack, Special Touch, Logo 2000.
First Sequences (1992)
Audiovisual Works (1992) (with Eva Gancedo)
This album was released on Lektronic Soundscapes and it may well be the only electronic release by Santi Vega.
Through the Corridors of Time
(2000)
Visions of the World (2001)
Rosenkranz (2001)
When Darkness Descends (2004)
Dark subterranean atmospheres from Karsten Hamre (ex-Penitent / Arcane Art) who is also known as Dense Vision Shrine.
See also: Hamre, Karsten, Dense Vision Shrine, Defraktor, Museum of Transient Lights.
In Vacuum of Blackened Space /
Destitution (1999)
Collection III - The Black Summer
(2000)
Dark noisy soundscapes from Daniel Marvin.
Iz Mraka Mogil (2001)
Dyatlov's Pass (2003)
Ishopanishad (2008) (with Closing the Eternity and Vishudha Kali)
Ambient drones. Other albums of this project contain Industrial / Power Electronics / Noise music.
See also: Closing the Eternity
Free Spirit (2001)
Bulgarian musician, who was a member of several groups starting from 1971. In 1980, he formed a group called "Dilemma". Around the same time he started experimenting with electronics. Nowadays he works mostly as a solo artist.
Pasiklyde (2009)
Reflective ambient sounds from this Lithuanian composer who currently resides in Prague, Czech Republic. Veliu Namai translates to "house of souls".
Ontmoeting (1982)
Vreemde Landen Vol. 1 (1984)
Landscapes
In Thin Air (1985)
A Glimpse of Light (1986)
Vreemde Landen Vol. 2 (1986)
Different Places (1987)
Electronic Ambient.
Uebersicht (1979)
Tears (1980)
Voyager (1981)
Enigmas (1983)
Technotice (1986)
Contact (1989)
Live Across the Universe (1994)
Moon Mirror (2000)
Electronic Music by Sepp Niemeyer, Thomas Kapke and Rainer Wolfgang Sauer. Enigmas has Chris Franke on one track.
Ven, Patrick van de (Netherlands)
Passing Winterghosts (??)
Involution (2001)
Ambient soundscapes in the vein of Patrick O'Hearn.
Alphabet (1998) (S)
Lambda Suite (2000)
Long ambient tracks.
Modesty (1987)
Cloudscapes (1990)
Touched By Emotions (1991)
Rapture!
(1992)
Arcadia (1993)
Cashmere Moon
(1995)
A Dash of Soul (1996)
Floating Silence (1996) (with Symbian)
Curves
(1999)
Real name is Johan Geens. Diverse music, from rhythmic toe-tappers to floating soundscapes completely devoid of any drum sounds. Curves is rhythmic, while Rapture! is floating. Some albums are described as being "romantic". Therefore, I suppose, they can be called sappy as well.
Syntax III (1988)
Biscuit Circuit (1991)
Propaganda State (1992)
One of those numerous pseudonyms of Miguel Angel Ruiz.
See also: Ruiz, Miguel Angel, Orfeon Gagarin, Funeral Souvenir, Exhaustor, Ambulatorio Segreto, Tecnica Material.
Musical For Cats (1997)
Traffic
Light (1999)
Modern Electronic Circuits (1999)
Acib (2000)
Acill (2000)
Osta
Oma Tampere Saat Kaupan Päälle Helssingin (2001)
Lokki (2001)
Aquariums I Have Been (2002) (with Bret Hart)
Karhun Epäillään
Paskantaneen Golfkentälle (2002)
Huge (2002)
Live (2003)
Kato Internetist (2004)
Vuoronumero
(2004)
Legenda (2006)
Kärmes (2009)
Verde is Finnish synthesist and experimentator Mika Rintala (member of Space Rock / experimental band Ektroverde). Weird electronics made on unusual self-built instruments. Lots of concrete sounds usually accompany his experimental soundscapes.
Nocturnes Digitales (1980)
Love & Ecstasy (1980)
Prophecy (1980)
(with Bernard Xolotl)
Moebius (1981)
Offrandes (1981)
Flowers From Heaven (1983)
Journey To Tantraland (1983)
Piano
For the Third Ear (1983)
Kundalini Opera (1984)
Messenger of the Son (1984)
Tree O2
(1985) (with Dean Evenson and Jonathan Kramer)
Rhapsody For the Blue Planet (1988)
Impressionist Musique (1995)
Tribal Hybrid Concept (1998) (with Pascal Menestreyl)
Ethnicolors (1998) (with Pascal Menetreyl)
Aerobix 99 (1998)
Solar Transfusion (2004)
Cyrille Verdeaux (born in 1949 in Paris) is the leader of Clearlight. Much of his recent solo output can be classified as ordinary New Age. Some of the early albums are supposedly quite good, though. Note that Nocturnes Digitales was re-issued on CD, but supposedly with completely different material than on the original release. Also be sure to check out his Clearlight records, especially the first one.
See also: Clearlight, Delired Chameleon Family.
Death Is Safe (2007)
Varied melancholic Ambient from Arizona-based Justin Ward. I have ambigous feelings towards this music. On one hand, the bloody voice samples are extremely cheesy and irritating and can totally ruin the experience. On the other hand, there are voice-free droning tracks (like Neptune's Bleeding, for instance where one can notice the similarity to Klaus Schulze's trademark chord progressions) that are quite nice overall. A matter of taste of course.
Digital Planet (1994)
TimeStar
(2003)
Space Music from this Californian musician. The first album was released on Mike Metlay's "Atomic City" label.
Katha Visions (1984)
Voyager (1994)
Emocean (1995)
Geophobia
(1997)
Beyondherebe (2006)
Environ-Mentals (??)
Observances (??)
From Space Music (Voyager) to energetic EM ala Mark Shreeve (Geophobia).
Looking Forward (2007)
Zon Vern Pyles is a former Moog Music employee so it was only natural for him to compose his own Electronic Music. It was Zon who created factory patches for such synthesizers as Alesis Andromeda, Minimoog Voyager, Clavia Nord Lead 3 and a few others. This music is very analogue, very energetic and rich in sequencers. Great choice for Tangerine Dream fans.
New Found World (1988)
A duo of Timothy Rempel and Steve Brenner. Classic Electronic Music in the style of Tangerine Dream.
See also: Brenner, Steve
A Vision Beyond Light (1996)
Through the
Timeless (2000)
From A Distant Horizon (2005)
Anno Domini (2007) (with Deborah Martin)
Ambient / Space Music on Spotted Peccary label.
Fragments From the Lost Time
(1998)
Tjukurpa (1999)
Resonant Ambiences (2000)
Frozen (2000)
Distant
Skylines (2001)
Italian Ambient artist (born in 1965 in Rome, Lazio), heavily influenced by Steve Roach's Tribal Ambient style. He released some other works under the name Nimh and is part of the Biasthon project. The work Frozen that appears in the discography above is actually an early version of the album that would later be re-released under the Nimh moniker.
See also: Nimh, Biasthon, Hall of Mirrors.
Krig / Volubilis (1975)
Reel 1936 (1978)
This music is like a droning, experimental mixture of Zeuhl and Heldon / Krautrock-styled electronics.
Transmissions From Antiworld (1998)
Vespertine is Greg Godhard. The music is supposedly Dark Ambient.
Aeon (2007) (S)
Translucent Communion (2008)
Solar (2009) (S) (recorded in 2006 - 2007)
Milky Way (1978)
Live (1979)
III (1980)
IV
(1981)
Via Lactea 1977 - 1997 (1997)
Via Lactea started in the 1970's as a "cosmic music" outfit. It was led by two musicians Carlos Alvarado and Miguel Angel Nava. The music featured classic spacey synthesizer excursions ala Tangerine Dream and Klaus Schulze but more quiet, restained and Ambient-like, with sometimes Ethnic / Prehispanic influences creeping in. After the first album Miguel Angel Nava left the band, leaving synthesist Alvarado as the sole member. He continued to release albums, sometimes helped by fellow experimentalists Jorge Reyes, Arturo Meza and others.
See also: Alvarado, Carlos, Decibel.
Bruits Et Temps Analogues (1975)
A cosmic classic in Schulze / Pinhas vein.
See also: Red Noise, Spacecraft.
Les Mechaniques de l'au-dela (2009) (recorded in 1980 - 1988)
A 7-disc box with experimental music by the original Pataphonie guitarist. A mixture of guitar, electronics and samples.
See also: Pataphonie
Phasenvoid / Retronique (2003) (with Sula Bassana)
Split (vinyl) release by these two Space Rock outfits. The Vibravoid tracks (side one) were recorded in 1993 - 1996 and are not very typical of the band's outfut, as they mainly feature synthesizer drones and sequences with layered guitars, more synths and some vocals. Especially "Mind Decision" is said to be very TD-like. The Sula Bassana tracks are more in the traditional Space Rock mould, although there are some interesting atmospheric numbers as well.
Sonic Torture Methods (2003)
In Lasting Joy, Of Slowly Dying (2004)
Terror Romance (2008)
US Dark Ambient.
Entre Dos Paredes (1989)
Clavico
(1998)
Sheppard (2000)
Vidales is the keyboard player of the group Cast who on Entre Dos Paredes (Between Two Walls) has crafted a very unusual form of EM that's halfway between soft Progressive and Ambient.
Musiques Pour Garcons et Filles (1979)
(S)
Camera (1981)
Moonbeam Movies (1990)
Video-Aventures was formed in France in 1979 and disbanded in 1991. The core line-up included Dominique Grimaud, Monique Alba, Guigou Chenevier (Etron Fou Leloublan), Gilbert Artman (Urban Sax, Lard Free), Cyril Lefebvre, Jean-Pierre Grasset, Jac Berrocal an Daniel Deshay. Their style is difficult to describe. Sort of Avant-Electronics / New Wave with occasional vocals maybe? It's certainly one of those "fringe" bands in the EEM repertoire.
Ektakrom Killer (1981)
Synth music produced by Richard Pinhas. Halfway between Pinhas' style and melodic ala Jean-Michel Jarre.
The Ultimated Sign of Burning Death
(1985)
Monument of Empty Colours (1988) (with
Phillip B. Klingler)
Death Pact 8 (1988) (with Kapotte Muziek)
Depression And Ideal (1989) (with Phillip B. Klingler)
Compositions
(1989) (with Phillip B. Klingler)
Gathering In Frozen Beauty (1989)
Near the Flogging
Landscape (1989)
Refined On Gentle Clouds (1989)
Revealed By Composed Nature (1990)
Towards the Unfolding Flower (1990)
Passage In Beauty (1991)
Terrace of Memories (1992)
(with Sam Rosenthal)
Shadowing In Sorrow (1992)
Syrenia 2 (1992) (with Asmus Tietchens)
Ending Mirage (1993)
Soundtrack For the
Aquarium (1993) (with Hybrids)
Echoing Delight (1993)
Parallel Flaming (1993) (with Djen
Ajakan Shean)
Still Fragments Live (1994) (with Djen Ajakan Shean)
Spiritual Bonding
(1994)
The Well of Souls (1995) (with Steve Roach)
Asmus Tietchens / Vidna Obmana (1995)
(with Asmus Tietchens)
River of Appearance (1996)
Cavern of Sirens (1997) (with Steve
Roach)
Twilight of Perception (1997)
Crossing the Trail (1998)
Landscape In Obscurity
(1998)
Ascension of Shadows (1998) (with Steve Roach)
The Shape of Solitude (1999) (with
Serge Devadder)
True Stories (1999) (with Jeff Pearce)
Motives For Recycling (1999)
(with Asmus Tietchens)
Spirits (1999) (with Jan Marmenout)
Echo Passage (1999) (with
Alio Die)
Variations For Organ, Keyboard And Processors (1999) (with Willem Tanke)
The
Surreal Sanctuary (2000)
Live Archive (2000) (with Steve Roach)
The Contemporary
Nocturne (2000)
Circles And Artifacts (2000) (with Steve Roach)
Deep Unknown (2002) (with Brannan Lane)
Tremor (2002)
Innerzone (2002) (with Steve
Roach)
The Shifts Recyclings (2002) (with Asmus Tietchens)
Echoes of Steel (2002)
Spore (2002)
Tracers (2003) (with
David Lee Myers)
Live (2003) (with Joris De Backer)
Spirit Dome (2004) (with
Steve Roach)
Act 2: Phrasing the Air (2004)
Anthology 1984 - 2004 (2004)
Legacy (2004)
Continuum (2005) (with Bass Communion)
Drone / Noise Anthology 1984 - 1989 (2005)
Act
3: Reflection On Scale (2005)
Gluttony (2005) (with Klinik)
Somewhere Else (2005) (with Steve Roach)
The Continuum Recyclings Vol. 1 (2006) (with Bass Communion)
Greed (2006) (with Klinik)
The Bowing Harmony (2007)
Continuum 2 (2007) (with Bass Communion)
1984 - 1986 Testament of Tape (2009)
Dirk Serries aka Vidna Obmana ("Optical Illusion" in Serbian) is a self-tought Belgian Ambient composer. I've heard some of his stuff which was very good, but it's hard to appreciate after the first listening. The same can be said about his collaborative work with Steve Roach, Well of Souls. Again, it is very good Tribal Ambient stuff, but I probably need to hear more than once and to hear closely to really start enjoying it.
Vietgrove (1986)
Perhinderion (1987)
Green Hinge
(1991)
The Garden of Forking Paths (1992)
Rough Mixes And Excerpts (1993)
Orbis Tertius
(1994)
The Little Apocrypha (2003)
German-inspired electronics from UK-based synthesist Norman Fay. The story of Vietgrove started in the early 1980's, when Norman began recording his own electronic compositions using a Roland sequencer and a string machine. The first significant concert was to take place as a support act for Nik Turner's band, but Norman didn't want to appear on stage alone, so he asked his friend Carlton to help him on guitar. The gig was a success, and the audience wanted to buy their music, so a cassette was recorded and thus the ball rolled on. Soon Carlton had to leave the band, and Norman continued on his own, recruiting guitar players from time to time or simply creating solo electronic compositions.
Terre des Betes (1980) (S)
(soundtrack)
Climats (1981)
Dramatic Delay (1982)
The Earth (1984) (soundtrack)
Ways (1986)
Library electronic records.
Transparences (1977)
Migrations (1978)
Aquarythmies (1980)
A classic of French electronic scene, Richard Vimal started in the early 1970's, doing typical French Chanson stuff. He released several singles but these were not particularly successful. After a period of silence he got in touch with Polydor, which, surprisingly, offered him a contract. A change in musical direction followed (Richard discovered the synthesizer in 1974), and the first full-length album was released, featuring Richard on vocals and subtle synth arrangements. He then released two more, completely instrumental albums, the second of which had considerable success.
Nights of Babylon (1982)
Synth album recorded at Studios Blue Dolphin, Hollywood, California.
Themes of Snow And Sorrow (2006)
Terminus: Rebirth In Eight Parts (2008)
Pennsylvania-based duo creating nature-inspired Ambient, akin to Vinterriket.
New Discoveries (2003)
VingDragon is Derek M. Rozanski who is inspired by classic EM artists of the 1970's and 1980's (Tangerine Dream, Kraftwerk, Klaus Schulze).
Gjenomm Tåkete Skogen (2000)
Finsternis (2002)
...Und die Nacht
kam Schweren Schrittes (2002)
Landshaftsmalerische Klangwelten Synthetischer Tonkunst (2002) (recorded in 1996 -
2002)
Winterschatten (2003)
Landschaften Ewiger
Einsamkeit (2003)
7-Zoll Collektion (2005) (recorded in 2002)
Der Letzte Winter (2005)
Weisse Nachte Des Schwaren Schnee (2005) (recorded in 2002 - 2005)
Lichtschleier (2006)
Von Eiskristallen...Und Dem Ewiger Chaos / Das Winterreich (2006) (recorded in 2002
- 2003)
Kaelte, Schnee Und Eis (2007)
Wege In der Vergangenheit (2007)
Eiszwielicht (2008) (S)
Firntann (2008)
Gebirgshöhenstille (2008)
Zeit-Los:Laut-Los (2008)
Horizontmelancholie (2009)
Frosty, desolate synth soundscapes by Christoph Ziegler, former member of Black Metal band Graven.
See also: Nebelkorona
Songs From the Edge (1993)
One of Jim Kirkwood's pseudonyms. This is a limited vinyl release.
See also: Kirkwood, Jim, Lucifaere, Ancient Technology Cult, Section 37, Emerald Eye.
Imaginarium (1998) (with Ma Ja Le)
Body Electric (1999) (with Steve Roach)
The Drift
Inside (1999)
Aeonian Glow (2000)
Pulse 'n' Atmo (2001)
Aqua Culture 1 (2001) (with James Johnson and Christopher Short)
Blood Machine (2001) (with Steve Roach)
Dreamers At the End of Decaying Light (2001) (recorded in 1988 - 2001)
Live At the Gathering 23 (2001)
Perimeter (2001) (with James Johnson)
Thermal Transfer (2002)
(with Saul Stokes)
The Yellow House (2002) (with Christopher Short)
Live At the Miramar
(2002) (with Interstitial)
Mercury And Plastic (2002)
Symbology (2002)
Perimeter II (2003) (with James Johnson)
The Live Transmissions Vol.1 (2003) (with James Johnson)
Book of Mutations
(2003)
Live At Lakeview Planetarium (2003)
Easting (2004) (with James Johnson)
Primary Space (2004)
Everything Seeks Balance (2004)
Tokyo Highway (2004) (with The Elf Machine)
The Live Transmissions Vol.2 (2005) (with James Johnson)
Not Even the Rain (2005)
The Endless Days of the Mono Gods (2007) (recorded in 1990 - 1996)
Return of the Locust Queen (2008)
Drawn From the Well (2008) (with Disturbed Earth)
Stand Still Like the Hummingbird (2009)
Quite good Ambient and Space Music. Vir Unis is John Strate-Hootman.
Ellinikon Project - 12000 Years (2000)
I Had A Dream Which Was Not All A Dream (2001)
Organic, a bit tribal Ambient. This project is also known as "Viridian Green". There is an album released under that name titled Night (1999). Apparently, it's much more Rock-influenced.
See also: Glafx
Solar Noise (1997)
Perihelion (1999)
Live Paris Theater (2005)
See also: Tollefson, David, Griffin, Mike.
Virtual Audio Project
(Italy)
Apocalypse (1995)
Mind Contact (1997)
Acceleration (1997)
Into the Brain (1997)
Exploration (1997)
Relax (1997)
Ego (1997)
Impact (1997)
Hot
Sex (1997)
Adrenaline (1997)
Blue (1997)
Psychosis (1997)
Alien
(1997)
Dream (1997)
Flight (1997)
Hi-Tech (1997)
Genesi (1997)
Mystery (1997)
Love
(1997)
Metropolis (1997)
Hypnotic (1997)
Cosmos (1997)
Genetics (1998)
Network
(1998)
Jurassic (1998)
Nightmares (1998)
Time (1998)
Legend (1998)
Robots (1998)
Fantasy (1998)
Future (1998)
Discovery (1998)
Abyss (1998)
Virtual World (1998)
A project of Cybertracks label. Thematically sorted albums that represent some kind of samplers and although the names of the projects are given on the back of each CD, I have a suspicion that basically it's the same people who are responsible for all tracks. I've heard many of these, and some of them were very good. I can recommend the following: Cosmos, Jurassic, Flight, Metropolis, Alien. Others may be good as well. Here are some names of the involved musicians: Nat Amigoni (U.P.I.), Riccardo Ricchi (Explora, Realogic, Direct 2 Brain), Gian Luca Anniballi (J.L.A.), B. Helmer (The Sonic Theatre).
Unfinished Devastation Narrative
(2005)
Ishopanishad (2008) (with Closing the Eternity and Velehentor)
Atypical, ambient album from this Powernoise / Industrial outfit from Arkhangelsk (north of Russia). Real name of the artist is Andrei Bulin (Komarov). This is semi-electronic, quiet music with strong Pagan influences and a darkish Popol Vuh vibe.
Impresiones (1997)
Beyond the Universe (1998)
Comix Live (1998)
Compress Collection Vol. 1 (1999)
Turbulences (1999)
Ad Noctum (2000)
Spheres (2000)
Compress Collection Vol. 2 (2000)
Maquin@rte 2001 (2001)
Cyborgsystems (2001) (EP)
Mostly Ambient material in the style of Steve Roach, Robert Rich and Vidna Obmana from this Spanish synthesizer duo comprised of Jose Miguel Abollado and Paco Butron. Turbulences has much more 70's-oriented material.
See also: Sound 99
Lapse (2005)
Unique, hallucinogenic ambient worlds from Frederic Arbour.
See also: Instincts
Sobrietas (1982)
No News From the
Western Frontier (1986) (S)
Hi Tec Heroes (1987)
The Sound of Blue (1988)
Brainsessions (1995)
Brainsessions 2
(1997)
Zap
Cultures Buddha (1997)
Synthesist and multimedia performer born in 1947 in Amsterdam.
Division By Zero (1986)
A project of Otso Pakarinen aka Ozone Player. This is an LP release with straightforward, dynamic EM.
See also: Ozone Player, Otso, Tapa Paha Tapa.
Looking At the Stars (2006)
Vitaly Zolotarev was born and grew up in Russia but now resides in Auckland, New Zealand. He composes Space Music.
Le Voyage (2001)
April 14th 1984 (2003)
Leonard (2005) (with Sergio Koval)
Sam Vitoulis is the artistic name of composer Carles Mateu who was born in Barcelona, 1968. He makes music with sequential, melodic and orchestral electronic styles.
Biomechanical Structure (2005)
Female artist doing Space Disco music in the style of Koto and Laserdance with some Jarre touches in there as well.
Oscillations (1972)
Oscillations 2 (1973)
Four Notes In Search of A Tune (1974)
Oscillations 3 (1974)
Oscillations 4 (1975)
Instant Production Music: Theme With Production Variations (1975)
Instant Production Music Vol.5:
Classical Beds (1976)
Oscillations 5 (1977)
Instant Production Music Vol.10: Shorties (1978)
Instant Production Music Vol.15: Shorties II (1979)
Untitled (1979)
Instant Production Music Vol. 18
(??)
Considerations On the Musical Theme From NPR's All Things Considered (1980)
Fine (1980)
Music designed as background accompaniment for radio shows played on synthesizers by Don Voegeli.
Isolation (1990)
Voice of Eye (1991)
Resonant Fields / Hot Gypsy Fink (1992)
Mariner Sonique (1992)
Sprocket (1994) (S)
Vespers (1994)
The Hungry Void Vol. 1 (1995) (with Life Garden)
The Hungry Void Vol. 2 (1995) (with Life Garden)
The Nature of Sand (1995) (with Illusion of Safety and Life Garden)
Live (1995)
Transmigration (1995)
Immersion (2007)
Seven Directions Divergent (2009)
Invivo (2009) (with Nux Vomica)
Substantia Innominata (2009) (S)
Texan duo of Bonnie McNaim and Jim Wilson. They mainly use processed samples and various home-made instruments and are more or less within the realm of artists like Vidna Obmana, Paul Schutze and such, which means dreamy, hazy and sometimes dark ambience. Some of their works approach the territory of Steve Roach in his Tribal Ambient mode.
See also: Asianova
Void (1997)
Danyo Romijn aka Void started creating his own compositions influenced by Jarre and TD during the early 1990's.
Syngle Works Vol.1 (1998)
Syngle Works Vol.2
(1999)
My Part of Coral Cave (1999)
Syngle Works Vol.3 (2000)
The Wave
Sequences (2005) (recorded in 1998 - 2005)
Life + Death (2006)
Analogos (2006)
Space Music (2007)
Member of Coral Cave. Same style?
See also: Coral Cave, Mikado 85.
Psychedelic, mysterious music. Sometimes like Fripp & Eno. Voldaperet are Marco Antonio Godinez, Arturo Meza, Juan Wolfgang Cruz and Victor Soto.
See also: Meza, Arturo
The Far Canal (2003)
Star Compass
(2004)
Through the Rings (2005)
Nucleosynthesis (2007)
HjVi (2008)
VoLt are Michael Shipway and Steve Smith. They play sequencer-based improvised Electronic Music. One of the best examples of their style is the album HjVi released on Dutch EM label Groove Unlimited. The music was recorded during "Hampshire Jam 6" Electronic Music festival, so what we get here is an unaltered live recording. "Primaeval" gets to a quick start with an intense siren-like sound. After a few seconds, an urgent sequence starts. Another sequence joins in, as melodic pads provide a comfortable blanket that wraps up the ubiquitous pulsations. A mournful solo cries on top. The backgrounds disappear, leaving us with sequences only. A reflective melody is heard, supported by gentle synthesized choir. Excellent experimental sounds provide that special bite, as the sequences become almost marimba-like. Bowed notes reminiscent of Robert Rich's lap steel guitar playing are heard. A rapid bass sequence emerges, accompanied by a blistering solo, taking the track to its conclusion on an energetic and upbeat note. Atmospheric effects serve as the transition to the next piece, titled "Atavistic". Soft pads soon take over, as gentle piano notes hang like a mirage in thin air. A bass sequence starts, joined by yet another one, all supported by melodic pads. A piercing solo is heard. The track has got great melodic content and a somewhat melancholic mood. A strange experimental rhythm starts and a reflective electric guitar weeps in the mists full of sequencer webs. Little by little the track becomes more relaxed and serene, while still retaining its rhythmic elements. The guitar sounds very much inspired by Edgar Froese's solos on Tangerine Dream's live albums from the 1970's and 1980's. The track ends with warm analogue pads and lonely sequences echoing into the distance. Another transition and we enter "Signals". Synth atmospheres give way for a growling synth sound and wind effects. Mysterious pads are greeted by a morse code sound. A rapid sequence starts, supported by yet another one, as twittering effects fill the jagged spaces left by the pulsations. Melodic pads remind on Gert Emmens' style. A steady bass pulse starts, as warm analogue pads are heard. The sequences mutate, as an excellent pad / choir combination appears, accompanied by an electric guitar solo. This is some exciting EM. The pads return for a brief spell, before the sequences end this upbeat piece in the most energetic mode possible. "Extinction" (the encore) begins with dark sounds and symphonic synthesizers. A very exciting sequence starts, arranged in cyclical patterns and supported by melodic phrases from synthesizers. A piano melody is heard. More sequences are added, greeted by the audience's applause. And yet another super-rapid sequence appears, and another one. How many of them are there already? Five? Six? It doesn't matter. What's important is that it's one hell of an EM piece, with multiple pulsations and a great melodic synth solo. A steady rhythm starts as the adrenaline levels go up with a melodic improvisation on a synthesizer. HjVi is a very enjoyable album and a worthy addition to any EM collection.
See also: Shipway, Michael
Sabbat 33 (2004)
Nightmare (2006)
Lucifer Over Ptz (2007)
Mysterious project from Karelia. Sort of Dark Space music. Sort of...
Higher Power (1999)
Oscillation Over-Thruster (2001)
Industrial-tinged electronics. A project of Nebulous, Rod C. Dornian and Russ Magee.
See also: Nebulous
New Worlds (1990)
Transient (1999)
Electronic Music. Von Daniken is the project of Chris McMahon, with Warren Jacques providing guitar, percussion and vocals.
Sternzeit (1978)
Nordborg (1979)
Atmosphere
(1980)
Eclipse (1981)
Planetary (1982)
Inventions (1983) (with Dieter Schutz)
Live
(1984)
Impressions (1985)
Dreamdancer (1987)
Painted Black (2006)
Roseg@rden (2007)
Born in Lübeck, Adelbert (Kraak) Von Deyen started in the 70's, going parallel route to Klaus Schulze, playing classic-style sequencer Electronic Music, but focusing on a bit shorter pieces. There was a bit of a controversy about Adelbert's work, as he not only played music in Schulze style, but even the covers of his albums looked similar to the surrealist covers by Urs Amann used by Schulze for his early releases. However, Adelbert never really hid his admiration for the Master. He played several concerts, some of them in unlikely locations.
Selvmord (1993)
The Dark River
(1996)
Green Eyed Demon (1998)
Dark Ambient by Mortiis.
See also: Mortiis, Fata Morgana, Cintecele Diavolui.
Look Beyond Today (1987)
One of Rainbow Generator offshoots.
See also: Mojo, Rainbow Generator, Generator, The.
Sky (1989)
Mare Liberum (1992)
Wonderland (1993)
Pearls (1999)
Melodic EM.
Transmuting Currents (2006)
Tribal / atmospheric soundworlds. Co-produced by Steve Roach and very much influenced by his Tribal works.
Veil of Secrecy (2001)
All Is One (2001) (S)
Deadtech (2001)
V.O.S. is short for Veil of Secrecy. Dark, ominous soundscapes. It's a side project of Yen Pox (Steve Hall).
Introduction a la Theorie de la
Subjectivite Relative (1982)
Ectoplasmies (1983) (S)
La Cathedrale Morte (1985)
Myscitismes (1985)
Sucre de Pasteque (1986)
Half Dead Ganja Music (1987)
Aither (1989)
Soft Entrance To Nature's Camino De Luz (2007) (S)
Aramesh (2009) (with Pacific 231)
Industrial-like Ambient music by this French project (basically an artist named Gnouf Tap with help from other musicians). Has some similarities to Brian Eno.
Contact (??)
Horizon of Hope (??)
Sound Dreams (1987)
Arizona-based duo of Charles Thaxton (Char-El) and Tom Moore (The guy of Crystal fame, I guess) whose music was featured on the Hearts of Space radio show. The group also did a few live gigs, including some planetarium shows, playing music influenced by classic Tangerine Dream.
See also: Char-El
Landscape 80 (1980)
Ex-Eden floating electronics in Vangelis vein.
See also: Eden
Duin' Tha Whitehouse (1981)
Azazel Eblis (1982)
Third (1983)
4 (1983)
Transmission (1983)
Six, Retrospection I (1983)
Contaminate (1983)
New Life (1983)
Blitzkrieg (1983)
Gravamina For Uxoricide (1983)
Alchemy (1983)
Diabolik Trepidation (1984)
Terminus, Retrospection 2 (1984) (recorded in 1983)
Old Wounds, Vol. 1 (1985)
Early incarnation of Alto Stratus.
See also: Alto Stratus, Freeman, Alan, Biomechanoid, Endgame, Region 5, Adhara, Electric Junk.
Inside (1995)
It's basically Dark Ambient, albeit influenced by Vangelis. Vulse is the project of Martin Lee Stephenson.
See also: Bluewater School, Sundew.