ROEDELIUS - Aquarello - ( All Saints Records | 1998 )
This album seems to sum up many elements of the genre; sparse instrumentation comparable to the work of Harold Budd, simple but strangely effecting synthetic washes similar to Vangelis and the mesmerising textures and composition style of Brian Eno himself (once a collaborator of Roedelius, and head honcho of the All Saints label). Although very long, weighing in at 72 minutes, Aquarello is the perfect music with which to drift into a deep sleep: dreamlike, fragile and enticing.
Hans-Joachim Roedelius is a German musician who came to international attention in the mid 70's via his electronic group Cluster and their occasional affiliation with Brian Eno. Since that time, Roedelius has produced dozens of solo albums and participated in numerous collaborative efforts. On this venture, Roedelius enlists the aid of saxophonist Nicola Alesini and guitarist Fabio Capanni for an album of contemplative beauty and contented meditation. While Alesini's saxophone playing indulges a neo new-age aesthetic, Roedelius masterful contributions keep things from becoming bland. His keyboard playing is stately and direct, giving these performances plenty of structure while the lush electronic embellishments provide a heavenly backdrop. No beats, no drum programs, just winsome melodies and suspended elaborations on 14 delicate musical themes.
- Written by Mitch Myer -
Hans-Joachim Roedelius is a German musician who came to international attention in the mid 70's via his electronic group Cluster and their occasional affiliation with Brian Eno. Since that time, Roedelius has produced dozens of solo albums and participated in numerous collaborative efforts. On this venture, Roedelius enlists the aid of saxophonist Nicola Alesini and guitarist Fabio Capanni for an album of contemplative beauty and contented meditation. While Alesini's saxophone playing indulges a neo new-age aesthetic, Roedelius masterful contributions keep things from becoming bland. His keyboard playing is stately and direct, giving these performances plenty of structure while the lush electronic embellishments provide a heavenly backdrop. No beats, no drum programs, just winsome melodies and suspended elaborations on 14 delicate musical themes.
- Written by Mitch Myer -
