NODE 2

NODE is considered a super group of sorts with four guys who all have very successful careers. No wonder it took some 14 years for them to get back together and create album number two. First we get Dave Bessell a classically trained composer and professor of music, Ed Buller a composer and producer, Flood a producer and so called sonic legend, and Mel Wisson who does a lot of movie soundtracks and thus a Hollywood composer working closely with Hans Zimmer, he also does video game and British TV soundtracks.

The guys met twice at Battery & Assault 2 Studios in London, England over a 1 1/2 year period. The sheer volume of vintage analogue equipment would have given Schulze an instant erection i'm sure.

"Shinkansen East" opens with a beautiful atmosphere that is quite dark, like being out in space. It sounds like mellotron at times along with various sounds that twitter and pulse. An electronic beat kicks in around 4 minutes as the mood changes. A second beat joins in. A calm before 7 1/2 minutes with lots of atmosphere as beautiful mellotron-like sounds arrive after 9 minutes to end it. "The Traveller" opens with another gorgeous atmosphere that drifts along. It picks up as electronic sounds join in. I'm reminded a lot of SENSATIONS' FIX 4 1/2 minutes in. It's building after 6 minutes with an electronic beat. "Becoming" features sounds that sound like wind chimes as a haunting atmosphere supports. The chimes stop after 2 minutes as an electronic beat takes over. Sounds like guitar too and I have to say this is amazing headphone music. Slight changes continue the rest of the way. "Doppler" has sounds that pulse with atmosphere and more. An electronic beat joins in before 2 minutes. The atmosphere and background sounds eventually leave as sounds beat and pulse.

"Marche Mecanique" has these deep sounds that pulse slowly then the drums join in and more as the tempo picks up. An electronic beat joins in as well. I like the synths after 4 minutes. It then starts to settle down as lots of intricate sounds follow. "Dark Beneath The Earth" opens with deep and dark sounds that form a slow moving rhythm. Other sounds join in including some cool sounding synths and piano-like sounds. Mellotron-like sounds late create majesty. "Shinkansen West" sounds amazing to start as we get a dark atmosphere with sparse sounds. An electronic beat comes in after 2 minutes as the tempo picks up. Full speed ahead now with so much going on. "No Signal" has such a powerful atmosphere at first. It does settle down and sounds start to echo after 3 minutes. "Thin Air" opens with deep sounds that seem to hover as pinging-like sounds and more can be heard over top. It almost sounds like strings at one point then an electronic beat comes to the fore around 4 1/2 minutes in. The beat stops around 6 1/2 minutes as various sounds twitter and pulse. They stop as it turns majestic late to end it. Nice.

This is one of the best Electronic albums I have ever heard, I have to say i'm very surprised at what these four talented men have created here.