SAND

Ragnar Grippe has a huge career, surfing on different musical expressions for apublics. "Sand" remains a particular contribution that defines (in part) what vintage progressive electronic is: a gorgeous synthesis between sound experimentations, organic keyboards sequences / suspensful electronic patterns, pulses. The two epic pieces deliver really evocative, moonlight soundscapes with an insistent hypnotic trance like purpose. The atmospheres is always dynamic, delivering micro changes into long electronic textures. The first composition begins in a very minimalist style to open on an organised electronic symphony, with a technical / emotional dialogue between different echoing / concrete percussions, surreal hypno electronic punctuations and discreet e-guitar chords. After ten minutes of fascinating, continuously imaginative electronic simplicity we enter to a musical world closer to Kraftwerk's proper clinical electro pop (I'm notably refering to the album "Ralf and Florian" in that case). The second electronic epic is in the same vein, a slow moving, spacious piece with minimal tones and a pretty pop inspiration. A little classic, optimistic album, remaining accessible for neophyts. I can't give 5 starts because the two compositions deliver almost the same musical ideas. "Sand" is a very pleasant effort but it contains very limited variations in sound and instrumentation. Recommended for fans of Roedelius & Moebius and late 70's kraut-electronics.