C'EST MAGIQUE

German composer and musician Robert SCHROEDER has been a feature in the electronic music scene since the late 1970's, and he has created music ranging from Berlin School electronic progressive music to EDM and ambient / new age oriented escapades over the years. He has been a productive artist as well, with several dozen albums to his name. In fact, "C'est Magique", released through the label Spheric Music earlier this year, is his 41st studio album.

Those aware of Robert Schroeder's works will probably know what they can expect on any new album he releases at this point, and as I am unaccustomed to his previous 40 albums I cannot honestly make any comparisons towards the past here. For those who do not know the catalogue of Schroeder, I'd describe this most recent album as one residing inside an ambient cosmic music tradition, with recurring details reminding of more universally known artists such as Tangerine Dream and Vangelis, and with a very occasional nod in the direction of 80's techno.

*FIRST REVIEW OF THIS ALBUM*

Last year German electronic musician Robert Schroeder celebrated his 40th year in music, since his debut album entitled Harmonic Ascendant (on Klaus Schulze his famous IC label) from 1979. In 2019 the label Spheric Music also released his 40th album entitled Fata Morgana, in 40 years, incredible! And more to celebrate, that Fata Morgana album gained a second spot on the annual German electronic music awards at the Schalwelle for Album Of The Year, well done.

On his new album C'est Magique, #41, Schroeder presents lots of dreamy electronic landscapes featuring the usual spacy beeps and bleeps, soaring strings, slow synthesizer flights, blended with subtle percussion, like in the long title track that opens this CD. Magnetic Stream delivers fine work on the sequencer, the music reminds me of Tangerine Dream and JM Jarre. Sprititual Spice and Misterious Science contain laidback Mellotron choirs. I am very pleased with Black Magic its fat and spacy synthesizer flights and the bombastic orchestrations, fueled by a hypnotizing beat. Mystic Dawn is another example of Robert and his ambient musical landscapes, with the spacy sounds, soaring strings and dreamy synthesizer runs. The track Glowing Energy is the most dynamic one on this CD featuring a mid-tempo with a fat and catchy sequencer, blended with spacy synthesizer runs and soaring strings, very compelling electronic music. The album ends with the special trademarks of Robert Schroeder in Secret Elements: a slow tight beat, beeps and bleeps, then soaring strings join, again beeps and bleeps, a hypnotizing atmosphere and finally slow synthesizer flights.

To me this successor of Fata Morgana sounds more elaborate and captivating, if you like cosmic electronic music this is a fine one.

My rating: 3,5 star.

This review was previously published on the website of Background Magazine, the oldest Dutch progrock source.