When Aliens Meet A Drop of Water (2008)
A short-term member of Tangerine Dream who was with the band in 1988. For some reason his name is spelled as W.A.dePHUL on his debut release. I think the music will appeal to fans of contemporary TD.
See also: Tangerine Dream
Distances Between Us (1974)
The
Electronic Light Orchestra (1975)
The Last Inca
(1977)
Instincts (1977)
Karming the Elements (1988)
Merak (1988)
Ambient Collection Vol.1 (1992)
Holy Spirit And the Holy Grail (1993)
Sought And Found (1994)
Genesis of the Grail Kings (1999)
Realm of the Ring Lords (2001)
Ambient Collection Vol.2 (2002)
British synthesist. He is the grandson of Richard Wagner, if I'm not mistaken. The Electronic Light Orchestra is a library LP.
Time Actor (1979)
Tonwelle (1981)
Megatone
(1984)
Miditation (1986)
Trancelation (1994)
Trance Appeal (1996)
Drums 'n' Balls
(1997)
This is basically Klaus Schulze doing music with other musicians (a group of changing members). If you've read my article about Klaus Schulze, you already guess that all of the above albums are highly recommended. On (Richard) Wahnfried releases, Schulze doesn't tell other musicians what to play, it is true collaboration, where Schulze does his own thing and other musicians do their own thing. Because there are always new musicians for each Wahnfried album, stylistically these works are very diverse. Time Actor has Arthur Brown doing ehm.. vocals and Vincent Crane (of Atomic Rooster fame) playing keyboards. Tonwelle features Manuel Goettsching and another famous guitar player whose name is kept in secret for contractual reasons. Miditation is a very peaceful atmospheric work featuring Steve Jolliffe. Trancelation and Trance Appeal are both very upbeat, often venturing into Techno territories. The first one is done with Georg Stettner and U.W. Uberschall and the second is a duo of Klaus and Jorg Schaaf.
See also: Schulze, Klaus, Brown, Arthur, Goettsching, Manuel, Ash Ra Tempel / Ashra, Shrieve, Michael, Jolliffe, Steve, Schaaf, Jorg.
Piano Vibrations (1971)
The Six Wives of
Henry VIII (1973)
Journey To the Centre of the Earth (1974)
Lisztomania (1975)
The
Myths & Legends of King Arthur & the Knights of the Round Table (1975)
No Earthly
Connection (1976)
Criminal Record (1977)
White Rock (1977)
Animal Showdown (1979)
Rhapsodies (1979)
I'm So Straight I'm A Weirdo (1980)
BBC Radioplay Music (1980)
1984 (1981)
The Burning (1981)
(soundtrack)
Rock 'n Roll Prophet (1982)
Cost of Living (1983)
G'ole! (1983)
Crimes of
Passion (1984)
Live At Hammersmith (1985)
Lytton's Diary (1985)
Silent Nights (1985)
Country Airs (1986)
The Family Album (1987)
The Gospels (1987)
20th Anniversary Limited
Edition (1988)
A Suite of Gods (1988)
Custer's Last Stand (1988)
Time Machine (1988)
Zodiaque (1988)
Black Knights At the Court of Ferdinand IV (1989)
Sea Airs (1989)
In
the Beginning (1990)
Night Airs (1990)
Phantom Power (1990)
2000AD Into the Future
(1991)
African Bach (1991)
Aspirant Sunrise (1991)
Aspirant Sunset (1991)
Aspirant
Sunshadows (1991)
Don't Fly Away / After Prayers (1991)
Rock 'n Roll Prophet Plus
(1991)
Softsword (1991)
The Classical Connection (1991)
Classic Tracks (1993)
No
Expense Spared (1993)
Prayers (1993)
The Classical Connection II (1993)
Heritage Suite
(1993)
Unleashing the Tethered One - The 1974 North American Tour (1993)
Wakeman With
Wakeman (1993)
Light Up the Sky (1994)
Live On the Test (1994)
Lure of the Wild (1994)
Wakeman With Wakeman Live (1994)
Almost Live In Europe (1995)
Cirque Surreal (1995)
Rick Wakeman In Concert (1995)
Romance of the Victorian Age (1995)
The Piano Album
(1995)
The Private Collection (1995)
The Seven Wonders of the World (1995)
Visions
(1995)
Can You Hear Me (1996)
Fields of Green (1996)
Orisons (1996)
Tapestries (1996)
The New Gospels (1996)
The Word And Music (1996)
Vignettes (1996)
Voyage (1996)
Welcome A Star (1996)
Simply Acoustic (1997)
Themes (1998)
Return To the Centre of the
Earth (1999)
Stella Bianca Alla Corte De Re Ferdinando (1999)
The Art In Music Trilogy
(1999)
The Natural World Trilogy (1999)
White Rock II (1999)
Christmas Variations
(2000)
Chronicles of Man (2000)
Morning Has Broken (2000)
Preludes To A Century (2000)
Rick Wakeman Live In Concert 2000 (2000)
The Caped Collection (2000)
Classical
Variations (2001)
Frost In Space (2001)
Out of the Blue (2001)
Two Sides of Yes (2001)
The Yes Piano
Variations (2002)
Treasure Chest (2002)
Two Sides of Yes Volume 2 (2002)
Hummingbird
(2002) (with Cousins)
Oscar Concert (2003)
Out There (2003)
The Wizard And
the Forest of All Dreams (2004)
Live At Lincoln Cathedral (2006)
Famous Yes keyboardist and a legend in its own right. One of the most virtuoso keyboard players of all times. Although he did some interesting electronic experiments in some of his works, there are still a lot of drawbacks to his music for an EM listener's ears. And here we have the biggest problem with this great musician: his older albums often sound dated and he tends to use quite a few half-decent vocals that usually spoil the picture. The obligatory pomp is there, but it's not a big problem if we're talking Progressive Rock. His newer stuff, on the contrary, tends to fall into sappy New-Age territory, sometimes terribly sweet and unengaging. Stick to his early works, like The Six Wives of Henry VIII.
Logos (1970)
Docteur Faust (1971)
Hathor (1973)
Les Fous D'Or (1975)
Nagual (1977)
Let's Start (1979)
Aspiration (1982)
The music of Igor Wakhevitch is pretty hard to describe. On early albums he combined sound collages ala Pierre Henry with some orchestral chamber music elements and electronics, later he developed a more cosmic approach with synthesizers, concrete sounds, Neo-Classical touches and studio wizardry. He has been called the French Ralph Lundsten and, in fact, some of his work is quite close to what Ralph was doing at around the same time. There are even traces of Schulze's style. So, if a Pierre Henry / Chamber / Neo-Classical / Lundsten / Schulze hybrid sounds ok to you, then you probably get the picture.
Electrical Bonding (2005)
Danish duo of two brothers Lars and Dennis Hansen formed in 1999. They mostly play various types of Noise but this release is Dark Ambient.
Phillomancy (??)
Deep sounds from Scotland.
Wander (2001) (S)
Wander (2002)
Wander (2004)
Wander (2005)
Wander (2007) (S)
Wander (2009) (S)
Wander (2009)
Static Drone Ambient from members of Beequeen. All of their releases are titled simply "Wander".
See also: Beequeen
Symposion (1990)
Fractals (1995) (recorded in 1990 - 1995)
Haunting Melodies (1998)
Jo Wang is a trained musician, organ player and electronic composer who studied Electroacoustic music and classical guitar. He has worked on several soundtracks and TV productions. On his solo albums he uses mainly keyboards and samplers.
For A Knave (1991)
The Fear of Make-Believe
(1994)
Synthesist with a 'traditional EM' style.
See also: Quiet Point
The Fourth Circle (1983)
Out of Bounds (1996)
Synthesist from Nebraska who released at least one album of Electronic Music in German style.
See also: Binary Race
Calcutta Gas Chamber (1993)
Babel #1 (1993)
As you can guess from the title this is pure Isolationism, and a very busy and disturbing one. Not for the weak. John Watermann (born in 1935 in Berlin and passed away in 2002 in Brisbane, Australia) was a very prolific Electro-Acoustic / Experimental composer. He has quite a few albums but the above two will sure appeal to Dark Ambient freaks.
Labyrinth (1980)
Frames of Mind (1982)
In
Time (1985) (with Coco Roussel)
Azure (1989)
Sunstruck (1990)
Thought Tones Vol. 1
(1990)
A Different View (1991)
Thought Tones Vol. 2 (1992)
Wet Dark And Low (1992)
Circle (1993)
Kinetic Vapors (1993)
Holographic Tapestries (1995)
Beauty Drifting
(1996)
Rolling Curve (2000)
The Unseen (2000)
The Gathering Set 1 (2001)
The Gathering Set 2 (2001)
Music For the End (2001)
This Time And Space (2003)
Unraveled (2003)
Flying Petals (2004)
World Fiction (2005)
SkyZone (2006)
Ex-Happy the Man keyboardist (born in 1953 in Harrisonburg, VA) who also was in Camel for a short spell. His solo music is in different EM styles. The Thought Tones releases are Ambient, A Different View is adaptations of Classical works, the first side of Frames of Mind features vocals, while side two is pure sequency Electronic Music.
See also: Tone Ghost Ether
Assembly (1985)
The Twinkle Factor (1999)
A Little Chin Music (2000)
Basically a Fusion artist, although his 1985 album, Asembly, features a completely electronic track and a lot of keys on others. Don't know about his later works, though.
Pacific Paradise (1991)
This album was produced by Gandalf who lends a hand on guitar for three tracks. A delicate type of music that, apart from synthesizer, features piano, bass and percussion. There are also two guest players who contribute flute and violin.
Species (1999)
Structures (2000)
Dimensions
(2001)
Another Strange Day On Gonxa (2002)
Cloudseeder (2002)
The Winds of
Laax (2005)
Wave World is a trio of Gert van Santen, Harry Kessels and Rolf van Slooten. They got together in the 1990's to play some music set to computer-generated visuals by Rolf. Over the years, their live shows have developed into something quite worthy of seeing, with cosmic music, many light effects, costumes and so on. Their musical style is basically excellent Space Music / Berlin School / Ambient hybrid. Another Strange Day On Gonxa is more rhythmic and upbeat.
See also: Solipsist Paradise
Making Waves (1991)
Virtual World (1995)
A project of Steve Blenkisopp. Very melodic synth music that has been compared to Jarre, Oldfield and Vangelis.
V. 1.0 - V. 1.9 (1996)
Dark sounds from a duo that includes Roderick Julian Modell.
See also: Modell, Roderick Julian
Where Are We Captain (1976)
New Atlantis
(1977)
British synth duo of John Lewis and Brian Hodgson.
See also: Electrophon
Airland (2004)
Mostly cosmic Electronic and Space Music by this enigmatic musician. Max Waves was born in 1969 in Treviso (Italy). He took piano lessons and studied Classical music but during the 1980's, he decided to dedicate himself to EM. He initially worked with computers only, starting with an old Amiga and moving to Macintosh during the 1990's. Gradually, he expanded his setup and recorded several of his works. Max Waves also made music as part of Ars Electronica (a Tangerine Dream style band) that hasn't released any music officially yet.
Wellenformen (1992)
Sigma (1993)
Polychrom (1994)
Zyklus
(1995)
Live 96/97 (1997)
Vestige - The Next Steps (1999)
Berlin School electronics. Waveshape was a duo of Michael Neihs and Volker Juengerich. In 1999, the project was discontinued.
See also: Radium
Mind Journey (1984)
Zenith (1985)
Moonwind
(1987)
Out of Time (1997) (recorded in 1986 - 1988)
Legendary synth project of the 80's, a duo of John Dyson and Dave Ward-Hunt. Before trying his hand as an electronic musician, John played guitar ala The Shadows (one of his influences). The keyboard contributions were limited to auxiliary string parts for his Rock compositions. However, after meeting with the late Dave Wart-Hunt, John made a complete u-turn towards the electronic side of things. Dave was an analogue / modular enthusiast, and hearing the sequencer playing, John immediately had lots of ideas about how the final result of their collaboration could sound. Thus, the Wavestar duo was born in the early 1980's. Their third official release Moonwind got rave reviews from the EM press back when it was released. The music sounds like a cross of 80's Tangerine Dream, Pink Floyd and Kitaro. Although I must admit that it's a bit too saccharine for my tastes, if melody is your thing, you could do much worse than add some of their CD's to your collection.
See also: Dyson, John
La Psychosomnie, Methode Contre
l'Insomnie (1970)
Hypnose (1972) (S)
Hypnose features a collaboration of Jean-Michel Jarre with this infamous magician. The first album is more obscure, although it also features Electronic Music, on top of which Webb layers a spoken voice, trying to hypnotize you! Not much known about this work, overall.
Tarot (1973)
On the Kosmische Musik label with many members of bands that were signed to that label, including Klaus Schulze.
Fur den Anfang (1998)
Weidorje (1978)
A group of ex-Magma musicians doing Jazzy synth Fusion. Hints of Heldon and, naturally, Magma. Some wordless vocals.
See also: Magma, Gauthier, Patrick.
Acoustic Landscapes (1995)
From
Jungle To Galaxy (2004)
Despite the title of Acoustic Landscapes this is atmospheric Electronic Music. Prior to releasing his own albums, Joe Weineck worked mainly as a film producer and studio engineer.
Submergings (1981) (with Gale Ormiston and
Phil Neon)
Windfalls (1983) (with Gale Ormiston)
Living In the Distant Present (1985)
Laughing At Paradise (1988)
Primitive Earth (1989) (with Walter Whitney)
Critical Path
(1991) (with Joe Venegoni)
Pandora's Garage (1992)
Slide of Hand (1992)
Court
Musicians: At the Court of the Chera King (1993)
Redwood Melodies (1995)
The Acoustic
Shadow (1995)
Silent Night (1998) (with Kavi Alexander)
Blue Faith (2000)
Escapesilence (2002)
Local Journeys (2005)
Invisibility (2006) (with Forrest Fang)
Somewhat frippoid electronic musician / guitarist.
See also: Delay Tactics
A Different Kind of Normal (1999)
WEirD were Andy Bloyce from the UK and Jens Peschke from Germany with Marcel Engels and Ruud Heij as guest musicians. The project is discontinued.
See also: Kubusschnitt
I Tamsa... (1994)
Saulei Tekant (1994)
Dykra (1995)
Without Sleep (1995)
Wejdas (1997)
Zemes Alsavimas (2004)
Ritual Ambient by Donatas Bielkauskas and Darius Gerulaitis.
See also: Donis
Wel, Frank van der (Netherlands)
Analogic (1994)
Domidion (1995)
Highways
(1997)
Eruptions
(2001)
Berlin School electronics. Frank van der Wel began writing Electronic Music in 1981, inspired by Klaus Schulze, Tangerine Dream, Michael Hoenig and Ashra. Together with musician Ton Haring (Par Example) he built his own synth and started to release his music on cassettes.
Fairytales (1998)
Skywatching (2009)
Relaxing and dreamy Electronic Music from this synthesist.
Cosmic Waves (2004)
Fusion (2005)
Trip To Illusion (2006)
Sunshine (2008)
A duo of Detlef Dominiczak and Andreas Braun doing pure cosmic / rhythmic Berlin School music. Analogue pulsations, atmospheres, effects and leads.
Op.3 (2004) (S)
Drone Works #9 (2005) (S)
Op.2 (2006)
Efegin (2007) (S)
Drone Ambient in the realms of Oophoi from this Scottish musician.
The Last Survivors (1978)
Klangwelt (1980)
Weg von Europa
(1981)
ZX81 In Concert (1982)
Gasteig Munich Opening Live (1986)
Palmenhaus
Blackbox (1988)
Zeitreif (1995)
Bable (2000)
Trolls (2002)
Electronic duo of Richard Aicher and Andreas Merz (initially supposed to be called "Rubicon"), formed in Munich in 1978. From the very beginning it was intended as a live show and the band immediately started giving open air concerts around Munich. Several live tours and subsequent releases followed. They also participated in a lot of computer fairs, supporting Commodore. In 1984, Tom Hackl joined Weltklang. Noted performances from this period include the concerts at the Munich Botanic Garden (Palmenhaus) and performing as the main act at the Perry Rhodan Festival (Frankfurt). In 1986, Hackl leaves Weltklang. The 1995 album (Zeitreif), apart from new material, features some tracks from Klangwelt, Weg von Europa and Palmenhaus Blackbox. Starting from 1994, Aicher released several solo works.
See also: Aicher, Richard, Hackl, Tom.
Cultus Island (2004)
Organic, analogue soundscapes from Danny Wolfers.
See also: Smackos, Falckenhaus, Franz, Phalangius.
Wendigo (??)
With the Earth In Its Coils (2006)
(S)
A Dream Half Remembered (2007)
The Dreams Our Stuff Is Made of (2007)
Thirtyfour Years of Decay (2007)
Through the Depths of Unknowing
(2007)
A Demon-Haunted World (2008)
Between Nowhere And Goodbye (2008)
Edging Towards Oblivion (2008)
Lost And Far From Home (2008)
Monument (2008)
The End of Everything (2008)
The Gyres (2008)
Dream / Death (2008)
The Abyss (2008)
The Way of the Cross (2008)
The Light of Life Undone (2008)
A Strange Dark Place (2008)
Under the Receding Wave (2008)
When the Heart Shows Through (2008)
Fingerprints (2009)
Outside In (2009)
Footprints (2009)
Six Feet Away From the World (2009) (S)
Singularity (2009) (with Nils Helstrom)
Fairytale Ending (2009)
Dark Ambient from Cathal Rodgers.
Skagerrak (1987)
Aquis Submersus (1989)
Rungholt (1989)
Haithabu (1992)
Stahlhof (2000)
Weit Draussen (2006)
Industrial soundscapes / Martial Ambient.
Electronics (1996)
Discovery
(1998)
Weihnacht (1998)
Klassik Und Klassisches (1998)
Filmmusik - Der
Soundtrack (1999)
Michael Wermke was born in 1952 in Rostock. During the 1960's he studied music, playing keyboards mainly. In the next decade he became a musician, playing in various bands. By the start of the next decade Michael became interested in Electronic Music and started experimenting in this field.
Phases And Other Pieces (1971)
Not exactly a Proghead, Phillip Werren is a Canadian (USA-born) Avant-Garde composer who experimented with the early Buchla and Moog synthesizers back in the late 1960's and early 1970's. Although the bulk of Werren's output will appeal to fans of Academic EM and Electroacoustic music, found here are some neat drones, sequenced patterns and synthesizer sketches that are a bit reminiscent of early Prog EM like Conrad Schnitzler, for instance. The initial edition of Phases was on a 4-LP set released in just 100 copies. However, this album has been re-released as a double CD. It contains pieces composed between 1967 and 1971.
Der Angriff (2000)
The Bunker (2002)
La Vent Divin (2004)
Tourmente I (2004)
Tourmente II (2004)
Martial Ambient that features dark military atmospheres. Westwind is Christophe Gales from Brest, Bretagne. I am not really sure if this project belongs here.
Hypnotic Circles (??)
Headphone Listening Music Vol. 1 (1999)
Headphone Listening Music Vol. 2 (1999)
Headphone Listening Music Vol. 3 (1999)
Headphone Listening Music Vol. 4 (1999)
Nightscenes (1996)
Like Rain Through My Hands (2004)
Michael Whalen is a New York-based soundtrack composer and electronic musician who produces Space Music and Ambient, influenced by Brian Eno, Harold Budd and Mark Isham. Some of his albums contain solo piano music.
When Joy Becomes Saddness (USA)
End of Primitive Thought (2001)
If
the Dead Could Breathe (2001)
The Time Between Reason And Reality (2002)
Providence=Hollow (2003) (S)
Dark Ambient from Clint Listing (ex-As All Die)
The Creatures of the Wind (1999)
Whereat (2006)
Deep Ambient. If you like Amon, then this dark work is for you.
See also: Olhon
Trojka (2002)
Heaven (2003)
Memories From Tragedies From Factories (2004)
Electricity (2004)
Sailing Through Unknown Waters (2005)
Diverse EM from ambient floaters and New-Agey stuff to orchestral and rhythmic / berlinesque. White consisted of Rene Montfoort (Romerium) and Michel Bekkering. The group has now transformed into ModularWhite, adding a couple of musicians to its lineup.
See also: ModularWhite, Romerium, Bekkering, Michel.
An Electric Storm (1969)
II (1974)
Re-Entry
(1980)
IV - Inferno (1988)
V - Sound Mind (2000)
White Label (2002)
Eindhoven Set 2006 (2006)
An Electric Storm Over Paris (2008)
One of the classics of British electronic scene. White Noise is David Vorhaus, a synthesist and sound innovator. The group was formed in 1968 in London and ivolved some people from the BBC Radiophonic Workshop (including Brian Hodgson and Delia Derbyshire) but since 1974 it's a solo project of David. Lately, he's been collaborating with Mark Jenkins on several projects.
See also: Ceremony of Innocence
The Opposite Way (2003)
Melodic compositions from this synthesist.
Map Reference (1994)
Inertial Moments (1996)
K2Project (1998)
Triangulation (2009)
Stephan Whitlan appeared on the EM scene in the 1980's, heavily influenced by the electronic composers of the previous decade and Progressive Rock movement. Eventually he got in touch with the "Sheffield circle" of electronic musicians where John Dyson was probably the dominant figure. With John's encouragement, Stephan released his first CD called Map Reference. By the end of the decade he moved to Ireland where he collaborated on K2Project with Keith Corbett. After that a period of relative silence followed, with Stephan eventually returning to the scene in the New Millennium, playing live together with John Dyson and as a solo artist. His style is characterized by driving sequences, good melodies and excellent solos. I suppose he can be labeled more or less a Berlin School artist.
See also: Narcosis
Composer X (1983)
Primitive Earth
(1989) (with Carl Weingarten)
Synthesist who participated in Delay Tactics and worked with Carl Weingarten on his solo albums. He is a respected synthesizer programmer whose sounds were used by many artists.
See also: Delay Tactics
Within the Matrix (1999)
Energetic and melodic, sometimes like Mark Shreeve. Apart from his solo work, Phil also plays keyboards in a band called Pesky.
Stress! (1977)
Tsunami (1979)
3
(1984)
Former member of Heldon and Magma. Not surprisingly, his music sounds like a mix of the said groups, based on synthesizers.
Transfer (1987)
Electronic Music in the style of Johannes Schmoelling from former keyboard player of Eloy, Jane and Firehorse.
See also: Eloy
777 (2007)
This one is curious. Harm Wierda is an organist in Groningen Mormon community. On this album he uses electronic organs only to create droning and whimsical tracks that will be enjoyed by fans of eary Klaus Schulze (Irrlicht, Cyborg).
Desolate (1996)
Plague... Life, Command... Destroy (1996)
Earth Termination (1999)
Black Space from Przemyslaw Sowinski.
Baraka (1981)
Maraccaba (1982)
Sabiha Sabiya (1982)
Qumra I (1983)
Qumra II (1983)
Alhambra (1984)
Mahakala Puja (1984)
Secret Doctrine (1985)
Tushita (1985)
Geisha (1985)
Trance (1986)
Cosmic Glue (1986)
Kalengra (1987)
Samarkand (1987)
Uranus (1988)
The Healing Touch of Tamboura (1989)
Thanatos (1989)
Neptun (1989)
Space (1990)
Creation (1990)
Tibetische Klangschalen I (1990)
El-Hadra (1990) (with Mathias Grassow and Ted
de Jong)
Mystic Landscapes (1991)
Tibetische Klangschalen II (1992)
Tibetische Klangschalen III Moksha (1992)
Klangschalen Meditation (1992)
Vision (1994)
Tariqa (1994)
Ceremony (1995)
Monsoon (1995)
Koan (1996)
Breaking Through the Eggshell
(1997)
Turandot (1998)
Live In Italy 1998 (1998)
Wouivre (1998) (with Oophoi)
Dunya (1999)
Qalandaar (1999) (with Saam Schlamminger)
Black Rose (1999)
Soma (2000)
Mercurius (2000) (with Mathias
Grassow)
Ming Noir (2001)
Mudra (2001)
Zen (2002)
Holy Domain (2003) (with Mathias
Grassow)
Al Lahut (2004)
Camouflage (2004)
Canyon (2004)
Cocoon (2004)
Cosmic Glue
II (2004)
Crane (2004)
Creation II (2004)
Death of A Samurai (2004)
Ghost Works (2004)
Gnosis (2004)
Infinitum (2004)
Logos (2004)
Live At Due Acque 1998 (2004) (recorded in 1998)
Maquam (2004)
Musica Invisibile (2004)
Omega (2004)
Ommayads (2004)
Pulse (2004)
The Rosenberg Tapes (2004)
Ruh (2004)
Touareg (2004)
White Coulds (2004)
Arcana (2004)
Dharma (2005)
Gandharfa (2005)
KW (2005)
Yoga (2005)
As We Sleep Away To Dream (2005) (S) (with Oophoi) (recorded in 1998)
The Light Sweeps All the Mist Away (2005) (S) (with Oophoi)
Touch of Silence (2005)
A Call, An Echo (2005) (S) (with Oophoi)
Deva Mela (2006) (S) (with Oophoi)
Cherua (2006) (with Oophoi)
Plejades (2006) (recorded in 1990 - 2004) (with Jim Cole)
The Alchemy of Happiness (2006)
Perfume (2006)
Divine Orbit (2006) (recorded in 1987)
Akhira (2008)
Klaus Wiese was botn in 1942. In his early years, he played tamboura in an ensemble called Popol Vuh (he is credited on Hosianna Mantra). After that, he made a name composing meditative World Music and Drone Ambient. Some of his works are supposed to be entirely acoustic (done with Tibetian singing bowls). Klaus Wiese died on the night of January 26th, 2009.
See also: Nebula, Nono Orchestra, Popol Vuh.
Musique Pour Un Musee (2005)
Ambient artist somewhat influenced by both Musique Concrete and "cosmic" music. He is also known as "Ambient Field" and has released some download albums under that pseudonym.
The Electric V (1984)
This is a strange double-LP set that includes electronic interpretations of Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" (hence the "V" - for Vivaldi). Apparently an album had been issued some time earlier that had the same tracks but done in a conventional (i.e. non-electronic) way. The Electric V can be considered a continuation of that album. There are some string parts mixed smoothly with (at times really weird) electronic creations.
Amorphous Worlds (2007)
Early Works (2009) (recorded in 2005 - 2007)
Phillip calls his style "amorphous ambience". I think it will appeal to fans of Brian Eno, Steve Roach and other Ambient masters.
Orbits And Collisions (2005)
Live (2009)
Described as "one-man Kraftwerk", Adam Willett's music sounds raw and archaic, with modulated sequences, organ-esque melodies and simplistic effects.
Elysian Fields (1996)
Shadow of the Wind
(1997)
Edge of Human (2001)
Innersense (2005)
Everybody says that the music of this artist is similar to John Kerr, albeit more rhythmic. Bekki Williams was born in 1972 in Nottingham. She is a classically trained saxophonist and pianist.
Kenneth J. Williams (2006)
Krystal Stars (2006)
Over Your Head (2006)
Star Wave X (2006)
A Cosmic Starlight (2007)
Oblivion Dimension (2008)
Diverse Ambient and Space Music, from light to dark.
Wilson, Andrew Thomas (Australia)
The Chain Reaction (1980)
(soundtrack)
Carnarvon (1984)
Expo '85 (1985)
Tales From
the Blue Ship (1992)
Classic style synthesist.
Entropy & Free Associations (1999)
Blackholebutterfly (2000)
Obscure Geometries (2000)
The Back Box Aesthetic: Zeitgeist 1 (2000)
Amidst A Spacious Fabric (2001)
Wither (2001)
Radio 1940 (2002)
White Chrysalis In Blue (2002)
Blackenvelope (2003)
As Giants Watch Over Us (2004)
Human As Disease (2004)
Graveflowers (2004) (with Monstrare)
When Spiders Learn To Fly (2005)
Recycled Music (2005)
Esoteric Studies (2006)
Textures (2007)
Cemetery Road / Dead Electroniks (2009)
Cemetery Road Vol. 2 (2009)
Noise Ambient from James P. Keeler. The above discography is a selected one and doesn't include his more harsh / Noise recordings.
The White Peak (2008)
Rather mainstream Electronic Music with sequences, melodies and atmospheres.
Pacer 3 (1987)
Pacer 5 (1987)
Rocks And Trees (1988)
Chris Wind is a diverse artist to say the least. He has done Neo-Classical, Electroacoustic, Sound-Poetry, social commentary, collage pieces and more. On the above mentioned albums he finds himself in the electronic mode, providing a series of soundscapes or rhythmic / melodic synthesizer tracks.
Glimpses (1985) (with B. Wahlen)
Series (1986)
Tjugofyra (1995)
Experimental analog music.
La Fredde Ali Dell'Inverno (2009)
Cold, melancholic soundscapes.
Finsternis (2006)
Helwegr (2007)
Fy Fan For Livet (2008)
Melancholic atmospheres from Sweden.
Winterhouse, The (Canada / USA)
Slow Promises (2007)
Lost (2008)
Droning soundscapes from Anthony Paul Kerby and Robert Davies.
See also: Circular Ruins, The, Lammergeyer, Davies, Robert.
Trespasser (2004)
Electronic Regions (2009)
Berlin School-influenced artist from Norway. Trespasser features six improvised tracks, done predominantly on analogue synthesizers. Subsequently, the sound is very rich and warm. "The City of Cruithne" starts with an abstract intro with various noises and hums. This long track then settles into a sequencer-based groove - very exciting. Got my head nodding to this one. It's a bit Tangerine Dream-y, but only slightly so. Some melodic motifs in the second part also reminded me on Jean-Michel Jarre. The solos are top-notch throughout. "Wishful Drone Around Midnight" is very dramatic and strong. Totally atmospheric and the way Terje uses pitch bend and LFO modulation makes the lead line sound very Middle Eastern, something like electronic duduk even! I think Djivan Gasparyan would enjoy it. Excellent track. How about a track based exclusively on one sequence? If the idea appeals to you I think you will enjoy the next track, called "Waiting For the Next Wave". I was stunned by the richness of its sound. I mean it's only one sequence, but it's so fat, and always changing, mutating, keeping you on your toes. By the end of the track it turns into a real mayhem. There are only several examples of EM tracks consisting of one sequence and this one makes you wish there were more. "Running Through the Edge" is Terje's own interpretation of a long schulzean epic. Do I like it? I sure do! Although it could be just a bit too derivative for my taste, Terje's own signature becomes more prominent in the second part and overall it's a very very enjoyable trip and delivers the goods throughout its 23-minute length. If you like Moondawn / Body Love / Mirage era Schulze and don't really mind another cosmic trip in that style, you will like this, I predict. "Essinc" is upbeat and sequencer-based, with tasty analogue solos. Finally, the album ends with "Jumpgate Shores" (great title!) which is very evocative and cosmic - my favourite track. Trespasser is an excellent album of very 70's sounding Neo-Prog EM, often cosmic and in most cases sequencer-heavy. The fact that all music is improvised is a plus in my view as well. Give me a CD player with this album and send me to the desert island - you will find me lying on the beach every night, watching the stars & the sea, waiting for the next wave...
See also: Wintherstormer
Woodwork (2007)
Live 2007 (2007) (recorded in 2006)
Electric Fairytales (2008)
A duo of Terje Winther and Erik Stormer. Woodwork has also participations from Pakusch Gundersen and Geir Marthin Helland. The album contains four long tracks of the darker variety. "Pure Analogue Forever" starts with massive bass and wind effects. This is some dark and abstract EM with acoustic cymbals and other subtle percussion sounds. A bass sequence can be heard underneath, while the sounds constantly morph and change. It is useless to describe every change in sound really, as it would take too much space, and even then it would not make the music justice. As is the case with any good EM, only a listen with own ears is advisable. The sequences get bolder, while warm analogue pads add that extra "classic EM" feeling. This is terrific stuff and should go down in history as one of the staples of Neo-Prog EM. Later we hear mournful solos, distorted guitar and crazy synth effects. The sound then breaks up and goes totally berserk, with lots of harsh sounds, noise and distorted sequences. This is the end of it. "Musical Equitation Extracted From Firelogs" continues with subtle chimes and siren-like sounds. A broken vocoded speech can be heard. Fascinating stuff. So EM and so experimental! Just the way I like it! Throughout the track various spooky effects and siren-like sounds (and, yes, a Mellotron choir!) come and go. This is utterly atmospheric and totally out-there stuff. A bleeping sequence-like structure accompanies the flow of what seems to be a very experimental and unusual track. It finishes with growling bass synth, for the last minute replaced by the same bleeping "pseudo-sequence". "Engraved", the shortest track of the album (even this one lasts for 8+ minutes), starts with an upbeat sequence, before going for the massed Rock guitars and heavy drums. The transition was so abrupt, it made me startle. The Rock elements then depart to give us one more glimpse of the sequencer beauty. However, the Rock guitars do return after a few seconds, this time accompanied by an aggressive synth solo. Tangerine Dream doing the Heavy Metal thing anyone? We are then treated to several more contrasting sections of subtle sequencers and full-on electronic Rock. "Monochrome", the last (and longest) track begins with low Mellotron flute, before a calimba-like sequence is introduced. More sequences are added, now galloping at quite a pace, although remaining rather sparse. It's built basically on multiple sequences and acoustic cymbal backing. But where would we be without Terje's wonderful solos? Right, he serves one right in the middle of the track. Guitar is also quite prominent, mostly providing low, growling basslines. That's how a Progrock act would sound like, if they decided to go electronic, hired an additional synthesist (named Klaus Schulze of course!), but kept their Rock instrumentation intact. I especially liked the final part where the drums become more prominent and a synth solo cries on top. After a while guitar comes into prominence, as the track gradually comes to a close, ending with beautiful synthesizer strings. "Woodwork" is a strong work that represents a fusion of Electronic Music and some aspects of Rock.
See also: Winther, Terje
As I Hide (1996)
Scattered Areas of
Invisibility (1999)
Somewhat Gothic-sounding laid-back electronics, melodic, ambient, with some guitars and vocoder voices. Witchcraft was a duo of John Buehler (vocals, keys, drum machines, percussion, vocoder & design) and Andrew Arbetter (guitar). The project is discontinued.
Neue Welten (1991)
Horizont (1993)
Panorama
(1994)
Millennium (1996)
Deja Vu 1 (1998)
Deja Vu 2 (1998)
Emotions 1999 (1999)
Live
(1999)
Different 9 (2000)
X (2007)
Austrian synthesist.
See also: Danger In Dream
Tormenting Without Hatred (1988)
Ten Minutes Warning (1990)
Beyond the
Galaxy (1990)
Sorcery From the Marshlands (1993)
Wizard Projects is Eric Mostert who started with music already in the 1970's, playing keyboards in various Rock bands. However, during the next decade he became a studio technician and engineer. It was at that time that he was able to start his solo career, concentrating on various synthesizers, keyboards, samplers, sequencers and processing devices. Working out of his studio in Oosthuizen, he released his first solo album in 1988. He then had at least three more albums out before disappearing from the scene. Eric's style is melodic and rhythmic, with a fair share of sequencing. On Sorcery... he incorporates some ethnic elements.
Valhalla (1979)
Consciousness Program (1980)
This synthesist later became known as Doctor Wize. Some of his works were released under the name "Dennis Weise", so there's a lot of confusion.
See also: Doctor Wize
Zelt1910er (2005)
Annihilation (2006)
Minimalistic Dark Ambient from this Italian one-man band. WOK stands for Wheel of Knowledge.
Viapori (1998)
Totarti (2001)
Wolf Larsen is an "ambient" trio (founded in 1996) from Helsinki, Finland. Their music shows strong influences from Finnish Folk music (and Greek Folk music on second release). Pekka Pohjola guests on Viapori.
Where It All Begins (1983)
Dreams of
Pyramids (1984)
Traces (1984)
Silver Beach (1986)
Images of Light (1990)
Solstice
(1992)
Fossegrimen (1992)
Transit (1996)
Dimension (1997)
Guitar Nova (1998)
Wind
Journey (2001)
Emotional Landscapes (2003)
The Polar Drones (2003)
Blue Sky
Red Guitars (2004)
Elevations (2007)
Between Worlds (2009) (with Deborah Martin)
Arcadia Borealis (2009) (with Bernhard Wöstheinrich)
Stream of Thought (2009) (with Steve Roach)
Erik Wøllo was born in 1961. He composes and records music professionally since 1980 and is considered one of the pioneers of Norwegian Electronic / synth music. Over the years, he has developed a very unique and personal style that could be described as very melodic music with emotional guitar playing. He has also composed some purely Ambient material that has that "Biosphere" touch to it. Beware that some of his albums (Guitar Nova, Blue Sky Red Guitars) do not have much to do with electronics, offering pleasant and emotional (mostly) acoustic guitar compositions.
See also: Exile
Garden of Sound (2003)
Supposedly, accessible, relaxing music.
Fjelltronen (1995)
Atmospheric, Classically-tinged synths from member of Satyricon. For fans of Mortiis.
Somnabular (1970)
Tarot (1971)
Vibrarock
(1976)
Tombac Vibe (1976)
Electronic vibraphone music.
Straylight (1992)
Ambient, but Berlin School-ish music from the artist who had previously worked on Trance projects. Released on Recycle Or Die label.
See also: Mysteries of Science
Brains (1984)
Psychophonique
(1984)
Weather Report (1984)
Moonrise (1984)
Atmosphere (1985)
Touch-Inn (1985)
Back On 1986 (1986)
Summerseasons (1987)
Convulsion of Nature (1987)
Het
Grote Wonder (1987)
EKS (1988)
Opera EKS (1988)
Back On '86 - '87 (1988)
Honourable Working (1989)
See also: Mindsearch / Mindsearch's Revenge, Phochos, Haags Timmerbedrijf.
Portal (1998)
Worlds Collide is the musical project of USA, Texas-based artist John Eargle. There are many influences felt in his work, but mostly melodic Electronic Music, Progressive Rock and Classical Music. If you like a melodic combination of electronics and guitar (or sampled alternative thereof), give Worlds Collide a try.
Wöstheinrich, Bernhard (Germany)
Down On Earth (1998)
Live In Düsseldorf (2006)
Arcadia Borealis (2009) (with Erik Wollo)
The 2006 live album by one half of the Centrozoon duo contains two lengthy sets of music. The first part is breathtakingly beautiful, with rich synth chords and ethereal pads. Very uearthly and corresponds well with the image on the cover (a futuristic city floating in the air). Little by little, more experimental sounds appear and totally substitute the synth pads. However, it's not long before we return to the atmosphere of the first part, with an added rhythm and some complimentary textures. A solo can be heard and overall you get the feeling of walking in some futuristic garden under the dome of the floating city. This music is impossible to describe, it should be experienced. How to pinpoint it? Well, I'd say a mix of Ambient and Experimental would do, but the texture and feel are totally unique. The section is followed by a few closing minutes filled with relaxed sequences and subtle pads. Great pulsating Berlin School-like music that reminds me on some Software material. Part 2 starts with strange sequenced sounds and a deep synth pad. The track then progresses to include a lengthy melodic section that's very special - simple melodic content and at the same time very effective and emotional. Great stuff! Little by little the music becomes more gentle, with only synth pads, subtle bass pulses and a few complimentary sounds remaining. Jumping melodic line is introduced, completing the picture. We finish with etheral pad section similar to that which started this live set. Overall, it's a nice (and rather soft) EM track. Good album (sometimes even excellent).
See also: Redundant Rocker, The, Centrozoon, Show of Exaggeration.
Wouden, Rene van der (Netherlands)
Pro Sequentia (2005)
Alchemia (2006)
Recreation (2007) (recorded in 2004)
Kaleidoscopic Surrealism (2007) (recorded in 2000 - 2003)
Altostratus / Cirrostratus (2007) (recorded in 1999 - 2002)
Universal Quiet (2008)
Sequential Tourism (2008)
Numerus Fixus (2009)
Dutch synthesist. The album Pro Sequentia consists of five tracks named "Prosa 1", "Prosa 2" etc. The first part begins with serene symphonic synth pads and abstract noises. At around the 2 minute mark we get the first sequence and then another one. Shakuhachi flute can be heard that gives this track an oriental flair. A 4/4 beat then enters the stage, providing a modern age to what started like an out-and-out retro number. We then get lots of melodies so those who enjoy melodic EM should dig this. The track ends with subtle pads and soundscapes. For some reason it all reminds me on 90's Tangerine Dream, although with better arrangements and more interesting sounds. "Prosa 2" has an excellent start with subtle hummings and some out-there sounds. A wonderful soundscape that feels like being in a parallel world or in a faraway star system. This is in completely different style compared to the first track and I welcome these changes with both hands. A lone melody is playing on top of wind sounds. Mournful, even a bit tragic mood permeates this piece. A bell sound adds to the funeral-like atmosphere. A musical equivalent of a transition to another world is the only analogy I can think of at the moment. However, it suddenly erupts with a bass sequence and some melodic motifs with even a bit of Mellotron flute in there. A rhythm then kicks in and takes things closer to dance territory, with insistent melodic theme and some tight soloing. The track closes with a dramatic pad section and effective piano sequences. "Prosa 3" is the longest track of the lot. We hear some pads and a melodic theme that just wanders along. Relaxing, but very emotional stuff. Substantial changes come after 8 minutes when an Enigma-like rhythm kicks in, along with some resonating fast-paced bass pattern, while melodic meandering solo continues to cast its spell. Different themes appear towards the 12 minute mark, along with more intense backgrounds and some additional effects. All then calms down for an atmospheric interlude. Closing this track is another upbeat sequencer-based section with multiple pulsations coupled with a rhythm and some solo synth. The fourth track is dominated by major chords, therefore being much more uplifting than most of what's come before. Sequences do come in after three minutes into the track, making this another urgent rhythmic number. My only gripe are the sounds that on this particular track sound somewhat unimaginative and way too thin. The sequences are ok, but the surrounding sounds / solos I'd prefer more punchy and bold (and more wooden if you know what I mean). On "Prosa 5" Rene serves us with some synth pads playing uplifting melodies. Then a sequenced section appears with some cheesy brass & flute leads. Another atmospheric part with synth pads and barely heard effects comes next. Then, noisy sequence echoes in the distance that is joined by yet another one and another one in the bass register. Thus, we motor along on top of the most energetic section of this track that eventually closes with sea sounds and various effects. The last section is rhythmic but laid-back, with nice melodies. Overall, Pro Sequentia is a fine album that perhaps relies a bit too much on digital synthesizers for my liking. However, own preferences put aside, I'd say this album will be enjoyed by those who like melodic / sequenced Electronic Music with varied moods and a Classical influence in there as well.
Woz (1981)
A very interesting synthesist who makes sort of experimental and minimal Electronic Music. Paul Woznicki has been active on the scene since the 1970's, exposing audiences to new techniques, from unusual types of synthesis to home-built robots, galvanic skin response and computer interfaces. He is also noted for several unusual performances during the late 1970's / early 1980's, as well as his soundtrack work.
Alogon (2008)
Atmospheric Black Metal from Buffalo. Alogon features a purely ambient track - the 20-minute "Epilogue".
SolaceScape (2001)
Dreamers (2002)
FutureScape (2003)
Dreamers Two (2004)
The Ambient Sphere Project (2005)
The Time Bell (2006)
Sound Commandos (2006) (with Colin Mansfield)
EM with melodic and cosmic stylings. Christopher J. Wray has been creating music since 1987.
Reflections (1989)
Romancing the Moon
(1990)
Waiting For the Soundtrack (1991)
Marylinmba (1991)
Between Realities (1992)
Ocean Watch (1993)
Moments In Time (1994)
Dissimilar Views (1995)
Live At the London
Planetarium (1996)
Blue (1996) (with Robert Fox)
Three-Six-Zero (1998)
Dissimilar Views
2 - the Korce Project (2002)
Walking With Ghosts (2002)
Continuum (2004)
Deeper (2005)
Tenth Planet (2006)
Momentum (2008)
Dreams And Distant Moonlight (2008)
Shifting Sands (2009) (with Ian Boddy)
Sines of Life (2009)
Trinity (2010) (with Ian Boddy and Klaus Hoffmann-Hoock)
Very melodic music that reminds on the 1985-1990 period Tangerine Dream. It was David Wright who founded the AD Music label in 1989. Around the same time, he started releasing solo works, first on cassette and then switching to CD in the 1990's. David's early works were published by P.O.E.M. Musikverlag (Klaus Schulze's publisher).
See also: Code:Indigo, Callisto.
Everybody's Ethnic (1986)
Electronic Music from the duo of Dwight Loop and Arnold Bodmer.
See also: Loop, Dwight
Weapons And Hope (1987)
Presence (1989)
Higher Forces (1991)
Accidental Beauties (1998)
Notes To Future Selves (2004) (recorded in 1980 - 1996)
The Dream of "I" (2006)
Ambient soundscapes from this San-Francisco-based artist.