ETHER

On one hand it's remarkable that a 'symphonic prog expert' is publishing the first review of the progressive electronic formation Redshift. But on the other hand, since I bought the live 2-LP Encore by the pivotal progressive electronic band Tangerine Dream in the late Seventies, I have turned into a huge fan of Seventies bands like Tangerine Dream, Klaus Schulze, Neuronium and Synergy (Larry Fast). And since the early Nineties I enjoy an eruption of 'retro-sounding bands' that are inspired by Seventies Tangerine Dream and Klaus Schulze like Rogue Element, Radio Massacre International, Free System Project, Rudy Adrian, Airsculpture, Gert Emmens & Ruud Heij, Navigator and .... Red Shift, I would like to thank Ricochet for their addition! This CD contains two live tracks (1 and 4) from 1996 and two studio songs (2 and 3) from 1997.

1. A Midnight Clear (23:59) : The start of this long composition in typically mellow electronic music delivering lots of spacey sounds (as if a spaceship is landing on earth), wonderfully blended with awesome choir-Mellotron waves. Then slow but fat Moog synthesizer drops join, followed by tasteful sequencing, a lush violin- Mellotron sound and exciting synthesizer flights in the vein of 74-77 Tangerine Dream, the interplay is great. In the second part the moods shift from mellow with majestic violin-Mellotron waves to catchy accellarations with bombastic sequencers. This is Electronic Prog Heaven!

2. Bombers In The Desert (8:23) : First an ominous atmosphere, then a slow build-up with sequencers and synthesizers and a strong, quite compelling Arabian undertone. We can enjoy lots of changing climates, from mellow and hypnotizing to bombastic featuring howling electric guitar runs and beautiful strings layers.

3. Static (5:13) : This short piece contains lots of synthesizer sounds and pleasant work on the Fender Rhodes piano.

4. Ether (27:29) : Another strongly build-up composition, from spacey to gradually more bombastic with fat synthesizer drops, howling electric guitar and lush keyboards. The final part is very compelling: a dreamy climate with a sensitive Gilmourian guitar solo, accompanied by wonderful strings and choir-Mellotron, goose bumps!

One of the best electronic prog albums I have heard in the last 15 years!