The German Duo of Rainbow Serpent brings on this CD most of all fine sequence-like rhythms. These rhythms are very good chosen, and are an invitation for a little dance on their music.
The sequences on this disc, are surely not like most CD's with sequences. You can hear that the sequencers are not used as a support for the CD. It's more like 'sounds' and 'noise'. It's a CD, which feels good in the ears. The only thing I missed is the Solo's.
SVEN CIPIDO (www11.ewebcity.com/electron/serpentrainbow/page08.html)
Many of you missed this when it first slipped out a couple of months ago, which is a real pity, as this duo have produced some of the finest EM albums ever. The fact that they were distributed through a small German company and their availability was limited didn't help but I am delighted to tell you that they now have major distribution and this CD plus their whole back catalogue will be available to ALL dealers.
This picks up from their excellent second album "Voyager" (really worth buying if you haven't already) and is a highly enjoyable and well-crafted piece of work. No wishy-washy sections but Klaus Schulze-like power sequencing and strong bridging sections - they really haven't produced a bad album yet….what an act! Look out for their new release which will be available very soon at our price of £11.95.
MIDAS (www.midas.u-net.com/latest/reviews/rserstv.html)
I feel quite honoured to be given the chance to review this. Usually Dave snaffles Rainbow Serpent releases for himself, such is his admiration for their work. But I said to Dave "...people expect you to give RS a rave review, perhaps I can give a more considered opinion...". I was wrong. With "IV" Rainbow Serpent have come up with probably their finest release to date.
The 12 tracks are grouped into 4 sections. 'Scenes of Capturing Auras' is 19 minutes long and covers the first 5 tracks. There's some great stuff on display from the sequential lilt of 'the Visitors' to the superb symphonics of 'Scene From Within'. However, for me the album really starts to motor from track 6 where the 22 minute 'Scenes of Old Legends' spans the next 3 tracks. 'Rebuilt and Altered' is 9 minutes of completely top notch sequencing. It mutates and rasps in dramatic fashion as silken motifs provide the perfect accompaniment. 'The Magic of Ayers Rock' is suitably aboriginal and atmospheric, then follows the magnificent 'King Arthurs Quest'. Yes, the monkish touches are nothing new but it's packaged and presented with such skill, and you don't get EM style sequencing like this with Enigma!
The next 3 tracks comprise the 18 minute 'Scenes of Everyday Life' and 'Crusaders' gets it off to a lively start with neat rhythms and catchy main theme which again nods at our cloistered friends. 'The Turn of an Era' winds the clock back to Jarre's 'Equinox' era, and what a corker this track is. Understated yet so effective, and the last couple of minutes are simply incredible. 'Be Above It All' changes the mood completely, and embarks on yet another highlight. Delightfully chunky sequencing offsets some choice motifs.
Now then. The final track is 'The Huizen Performance 21.03.98'. So often these "bonus tracks" are there as filler. Here, nothing could be further from the truth. This is the best thing I've heard from RS, and it's why this album is possibly their best so far. It starts with the felling of a tree - be careful, it's so well recorded it could almost be falling through your front window. Then it builds slowly on a colossal wave of sequencing which threatens to break loose but then is pulled back to allow the most delightful arpeggiations to take over. A melody starts to form, and the jaw begins to drop. How can such a perfect melody be left undiscovered for so long? And the sequencing is just as good. EM from the Gods. 12 minutes of pure brilliance.
It's all great. But the last track - well, they don't come much better.
(GG) (www.synthmusicdirect.com/ivsequel.cfm)
Rainbow Serpent have been one of the top-selling synthesizer acts around Europe in the last couple of years, and with their seemingly effortless integration of the styles of Vangelis, Klaus Schulze and Steve Roach it's not difficult to see their appeal.
On "Sequel" though they're stretching out a little, perhaps influenced by the more experimental attitude of Gerd Wienekamp's solo project Der Laborant, but not too much - so that the four-part "Scenes Of Capturing Auras" (19.00) opens with a declamatory voice but rapidly moves into a techno dance workout and on through Vangelis-style romanticism into an incredibly Jarre/Oxygene-like sequencer piece.
"Scenes of Old Legends" (in three parts, totalling 22 minutes), covers among other subjects Ayers Rock (the inevitable didgeridoos are very distant and synthesized though) and "King Arthur's Quest", giving the subject a beaty, rolling-sequenced treatment a million miles away from Rick Wakeman's rich orchestral style (although a Gregorian choir does put in a brief appearance before the end!).
"Scenes Of Everyday Life" (another three parts and another 18 minutes long) again merges abstract synthesis with subtle techno dance/acid elements using a range of styles and tempos. And in closing, there's a 12-minute extract from 1998's performance at the Alfa Centauri Festival in Holland, concentrating on huge choral sounds, lightweight warbling sequencers and a touch of acid dance rhythm towards the end.
With "Sequel", Rainbow Serpent have turned in another immaculately produced, widely varied and epic synthesizer set. Some of the tracks (as ever) are too close for comfort to the very recognisable styles of other artists, but there's much to enjoy here, and with the usual attractive sleeve design from Ardema this is bound to become a popular title.
Rating: **** Four Stars - an excellent album of its kind
MARK JENKINS (Sequences Magazine, No. 22) (www.groove.nl/cd/2/24684.html) |
