PETE NAMLOOK & K. SCHULZE: THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOOG V

To such an extent, I have been receptive to these "Moog" albums so far. Three good ones, another average piece (the fourth and preceding album): so far so good even if no masterpieces can be taken into account, the great man offered fine but no grandiose music to his fans with this series.

I was quite pleased with the initial part from this fifth opus dedicated to the dark side of the moog. Since there are no relation between the original Floyd title and its KS counterpart, I was not expecting the worse from this "Psychedelic Brunch" which of course refers to the quite disputable "Alan's Psychedelic Breakfast" from AHM.

The second part is truly memorable for its ambient and melodic atmosphere. Beautiful synthesizers, a gut feeling and splendid harmony. Such kind of moment which is reminding me of the great works KS provided in the seventies. The same feel is shared with the moving "Part IV".

As usual, this hour long musical anthem has been sliced into different sections (or parts) of which the longest one (the fifth one) do share some lines with the great "Invisible Limits" from whom you might have heard.

It borrows the basic line without sharing the immaculate beauty of the original which I consider as one of the highest point in the huge TD discography. This one is not playing in the same division but is still enjoyable although less inspired. But I compare this song with a masterpiece, so?

The best is sharing the average (even within the same section); but it is a feature that most of the "Moog" fans are aware of. The sixth part is the best example to point out this feeling: a weak and dance debut for a short while followed by a sublime and spacey counterpart. Did you say contradiction?

I have the deepest admiration for the wonderful and totally atmospheric "Part VII" which is the reason that I rate this work with three solid stars even if there are some ups and downs here.

"Psychedelic Brunch"

The fifth chapter in the moog series kicks off with an introduction from mr. Robert Moog himself My name is Robert Moog ... and I would like to present to you the Dark Side of the Moog, it 's followed by a wonderful moog improvisation from Schulze, whose presence is felt much more prominently then on the previous album. On Part III both artist are equally involved, Schulze with his rhythmic synth pulse and Namlook with fitting dub/jungle beats that will serve as a recurring theme through the album. Also Bill Laswell helps out a hand.

So far the album has taken an excellent start and Part IV continues the momentum with a gorgeous mellotron piece, throwing us right back to the out worldly beauty of Tangerine Dream's Phaedra album. Especially Sequent C and Mysterious Semblance come to mind. Beautiful contribution.

Namlook is a huge Tangerine Dream fan and - as already pointed out here - the basic pulse from Part V is a clear nod to their masterpiece Invisible Limits, which always makes me feel like I'm 12 years old as this used to be the tune for the weekly Lottery draw on Flemish TV back in the 80's. Namlook's ambient improvisation around the theme is very adequate. Of course, at 16.20 minutes it may be a bit too much for some.

Part VI starts as a continuation of the ambient dub of Part III, but after 2 minutes, the rhythm is dropped and Schulze reaches stellar heights with very melodious waves of orchestral synths. Part VII stays in the same cosmic territories with uncanny tube sounds. My best guess is that it is a Namlook contribution, as it reminds me a lot of some of the music on his Air I & II albums.

Part VIII is entirely different but equally gorgeous. It carries on the dub rhythm that was introduced in Part III and adds washes synths and mellotron on top, with a catchy melodious moog lead rounding it off at the end.

Psychedellic Brunch is a very rich and diverse album, the first entirely consistent high point in this series for me. 3.5 stars, strong progressive electronic release.

Klaus Schulze called it "psychedelic brunch", but this is quite a proper dinner. The fifth episode of the "Dark Side Of The Moog" series is opened by Robert Moog, the inventor of the first commercial synth who introduces the album with a short speech of 14 seconds, then we are projected back to the Virgin period of Tangerine Dream.

Strange to say, as Klaus Schulze left the band just after the debut album, but this is how most of the tracks sound to these ears. It's not Phaedra nor Ricochet, but that's the mood, and its pleasant enough. I think the main difference with TD is in the absence of squared waves, thtat were a sort of trademark for Edgar Froese.

But there are also two exceptions:

Part 5 lasts 16 minutes and is based on a repeated sequence of tuned toms. I don't know if real toms or made by a sequencer. I like thinking that Klaus Schulze has remebered to be a drummer. The soundscape is quiet and the sounds comning and going compose mainly major chords. Some layers are added, other disappear but the track remains fluid and mesmerizing.

The other exception is Part 7. About 8 minutes of good space Rock in the vein of Zeit (to remain in the TD zone). I still have to approach the following volumes of this serie, but up to now this is the one I've liked the most. About 1 hour of relaxing soundscapes.

Disclaimer: the relation with Pink Floyd is just German humour.