Hildenbeutel* – Looking Beyond

HILDENBEUTEL:Looking Beyond CD
Six tracks and 55 minutes of sheer quality. The 11 min track one opens with bongo rhythms and to this is added a percussive line, clipped and echoed synth rhythms and a flying backdrop of soaring string synths. The chunky rhythms of an etheral tribal nature are palced at the front of the mix with the synths wandering around them in an all-enveloping cosmic manner, intensifying on occasion, but largely just flowing along maintaining the spirit of the piece. Track 2 begins with ahaunting synthsae and tinkling synth backdrop setting up a pattern of glorious space music which constitutes the whole of the 7 min track as gorgeous synth layers are added to the undercurrent, creating one of the most briliant pieces of string-synth-meets-atmospheric space music compositions that you'll hear. This is sheer class. The near 10 min track 3 starts with layers of synth rumblings as an electric piano-like cascading motif emerges , ed by swooshing synths and a high- synth lead line soaring over the top in relaxed and spellbinding fashion. Eventually ed by a booming synth bass undercurrent rather than rhythms, the piece becomes louder but no less hypnotic as it drifts solidly yet effortlessly on towards its spacey finale. Track 4 begins in almost classical fashion with a beautiful el-piano melody line and twittering space synths and this combination continues in fine fashion to the slow fade at just over 5 mins. The 10+ min track 5 starts with a breathatking string synth style backdrop, distant synth sounds and hautning synth wind-effects shortly giving rise to a percussive shuffling rhythm over which some fantastic distant synth choirs are heard unti suddenly the piece erupts into life with the multi-layered percussive rhythms, synths and choir-like effects making you believe you're in some kind of ;lost outtake from Mike Oldfield's 'Ommadawn' project and the result is simply amazing with the drums and synths working in perfect harmony, eventually ending on a cosmic synths finale to incredible effect. Finally the 11+ min track 6 starts with an immaculate melody line from phased acoustic guitars and synths which will warm you to your very soul as the sound pattern is layered with further synths and a sprinkling of cascading synth rhythms all ing to create one of the most breathtaking pieces on the album and a thing of sheer beauty as it all unfolds, similar to the best parts from the Mali Rain 'Sea' album. Overall, another 100% guranteed slice of excellent music from start to finish.

The best of ROD in my opinion. Super cool ambient, ambient techno and modern classical. Clearly influenced by Vangelis, German electronic music, and the Irresistible Force. Perhaps one for re: discovery if Tim has not already considered it as a vinyl reissue. However, it's also worth every penny in current CD offerings in December 24 and that may be enough.

Thankful that I was able to hear the song "Coming back'[ track 5] before this life ends. Beauty and the beat. Vangelis would be proud. So would Peter Gabriel. If you ever wondered what exaltation sounds like, listen to this track. What a gift!! Ralf Hildenbeutal........Thank you!!!