Newsgroups: bit.listserv.allmusic
Date:         Fri, 28 Aug 1992 13:31:00 CDT
From:         schneider@MDCGWY.MDC.COM
Subject:      Independent/Alternative Music Reviews
X-To:         allmusic <allmusic@american.edu>

From:	NAME: Henry E. Schneider
	FUNC: J745
	TEL: (713) 280-1775                   <SCHNEIDER.HENRY@A1@SSDHOU>
To:	WINS%"<ALLMUSIC@AMERICAN.EDU>"@MDCGWY@MRGATE


Let's get this network back on track and talk music, not politics.  It is
ridiculous the amount of crap I had have to wade through to get anything
meaningful about music over the past couple of days.

Following this message is a slug of reviews I've written about various
independent releases that are worhty of your notice.  If anything strikes
your fancy, use the contact address and order the cassette, LP, or CD.
Help the Indie Pain Dance and support quality music!!!

Henry Schneider 8/27/92


Kramtones/Rotcod Zzaj - Emotional Circus
(Zzaj Productions) MC:  C-90

Emotional Circus is the trans-Pacific musical collaboration
between Kramtones (Harlan Mark Vale) in Washington
State and Rotcod Zzaj (Dick Metcalf) in Korea.  Side one
contains ValeUs basic tracks with Metcalf doing the final
mix.  Side two is the reverse.  As far as the world of mail
collaborations go, this tape does not contribute much.
There are no innovative techniques and many songs
sound the same, mostly e-piano and organ
improvisations.  While recorded on a high quality Scotch
cassette with no noise reduction, the sound quality is
below par, both muffled and tinny.  MetcalfUs voice is
somewhere between Greg Lake and John Mayall, but he
mixed them too low to understand.  MetcalfUs approach to
music is improvisation.  As can be expected from this
pseudo-random music, some experiments work and some
donUt.  Fantasia, Soundjazz I & II, and The Circus of
Emotion Parade sound like at least two different songs
played simultaneously.  Still, there are a few high points:
The Marshy Zone, John Cage, WaterUs Edge of Far Away,
and New Pacific Floor/Breaking Into Light.  John Cage is
the best, a sound collage of chopped and channelled John
Cage records with MetcalfUs keyboards and vocals.
Unfortunately, these songs cannot carry the tape.  In
general, Emotional Circus  sounds aimless, probably
because both Vale and Metcalf had different ideas about
where to go with the music.
[Zzaj Productions, c/o Dick Metcalf, P. O. Box 2879, APO
San Francisco, California 96218 USA] - Henry Schneider


Sagan/Zzaj - Unborn Baby
(Zzaj Productions) MC:  C-90

Unborn Baby is Rotcod ZzajUs (Dick MetcalfUs) vocal and
musical interpretations of Miriam SaganUs poetry.  Dick
had the opportunity to meet and work with Miriam after
collaborating with her husband Robert Winson on an
early Zzaj release, Fractured Fairy Tales.  Miriam is an
outstanding poet.  After reading her poetry, Dick decided
to read and record Unborn Baby accompanied by his
trademarked improvisations.  There are no titles on the
tape for SaganUs poetry, and there are about eight or nine
poems per side.  This poetry could comprise a long suite
called Unborn Baby, but I doubt it.  The themes of New
Mexico and Indians weave throughout the tape, yet each
poem stands on its own.  MiriamUs language rapidly grabs
your attention and Metcalf does a wonderful job reading.
On some tracks his flanged voice gives an eery quality to
the pervasive mood.  MetcalfUs bass, drum machine, and
e-piano and organ improvisations greatly enhance SaganUs
poetry.  There is so much activity on Unborn Baby, both
musical and verbal, that it can only be taken in small
doses.  Unborn Baby would be a great tape if the tape
levels werenUt so low and the sound quality so muffled.
[Zzaj Productions, c/o Dick Metcalf, P. O. Box 2879, APO
San Francisco, California 96218 USA] - Henry Schneider


Zzaj/Kissinger - Critical Mass
(Zzaj Productions) MC:  C-90

Critical Mass is the second Zzaj - Kissinger mail
collaboration.  As with ZzajUs other collaborations, this
one was done through the mail with Zzaj in Korea
providing keyboards, percussion, words, and vocals and
Mark Kissinger in Pennsylvania adding guitars and
percussion.  Critical Mass consists of 15 songs, 7 on side
One and 8 on Side Two.  Kissinger and Zzaj combination
is magic.  KissingerUs guitar enhances ZzajUs keyboard
improvisations and compositions.  I think they had fun
with this tape.  Zzaj plays around with the effects box on
his vocals and produces some interesting results.  And
there is enough of ZzajUs trademarked jazzy jamming to
keep you happy.  Unfortunately, like other Zzaj releases,
Critical Mass is marred by a substandard recording.
[Zzaj Productions, c/o Dick Metcalf, P. O. Box 2879, APO
San Francisco, California 96218 USA] - Henry Schneider


Zzaj/Kissinger - L
(Zzaj Productions) MC:  C-90

L is the latest Zzaj - Kissinger collaboration.  The
following quote from the J-card explains the title:  RThe
pattern underlying both stories is the perceiving of a
situation or idea, L, in two self-consistent but habitually
incompatible frames of reference, M1 and M2.  The event L,
in which the two intersect, is made to vibrate simultaneously
on two different wavelengths, as it were.  While this unusual
situation lasts, L is not merely linked to one associative
context, but bisociated with two.S  This text encapsulates
the essence of the Zzaj - Kissinger collaborative efforts.
Rocking and bopping keyboards, flanged vocals, and great
guitar jamming create another excellent collection of 16
RsongsS from this dynamic duo.  It is a joy to listen to this
tape.  The only drawback is the poor sound quality
characterisitic of all Zzaj releases.
[Zzaj Productions, c/o Dick Metcalf, P. O. Box 2879, APO
San Francisco, California 96218 USA] - Henry Schneider


Henry Schneider 8/27/92


Various Artists - FACETS
(Synkronos SYNK 018) MC:  C-80

Facets, the new Synkronos cassette sampler, offers six
electronic "realizations" from the New Jersey -
Pennsylvania Space Music community.  Side A presents
music by established Synkronos musicians Peter D. Gulch
- Premonition, Chuck van Zyl - The Relic, and D. Andrew
Rath - Electrum.  While Side B features unknown
musicians Bill Forcier - Ayer's Rock, Mike Metlay - Band
of Fire, and Art Cohen - Space Vibrations.  Each piece
explores a different "facet" of Space Music from abstract
atmospheres through Tangerine Dream to New Age.  The
two strongest tracks The Relic (stellar guitar ostinatos
reminiscent of Edgar Froese) and Space Vibrations
(swirling guitar work ala Manuel Gottsching and Richard
Pinhas) carry the tape.  Despite the tendency toward
hackneyed New Age themes (last half of Rath's Electrum
and Forcier's Ayer's Rock), Facets is a wonderful journey
through time and space.  Contact Synkronos and broaden
your listening experience.
[Synkronos Music, P. O. Box 22, Upper Darby,
Pennsylvania 19082 USA] - Henry Schneider


Amenophis - Amenophis
(Musea FGBG 4052.AR) CD:  59:07

Amenophis, an obscure German progressive band from
the early eighties, was the trio of Stefan Rossmann
(drums, keyboards, synthesizers, acoustic guitar), Michael
Rossmann (electric and acoustic guitars, keyboards), and
Wolfgang Vollmuth (bass, acoustic guitars, keyboards,
vocals).  Recorded in France in 1983, Amenophis features
energetic and stimulating melodies, beautiful acoustic and
electric guitar work, and elaborate arrangements.  To test
their equipment and the studio, Amenophis recorded five
short "acoustic" tracks (2 to 4 minutes in length)
composed by Stefan about Paris and French culture.
Musea included these excellent extra tracks as a bonus, as
well as the original cover art work and an extensive 12
page booklet with band history and lyrics.  Listening to
Amenophis' music is like watching the play of colors in a
soap bubble.  The continuous shifting of moods and tone
colors is brilliant, seamless, and a pleasure to experience.
Kudos are due to Musea for discovering and bringing this
unappreciated and captivating progressive band to
worldwide attention.
[Musea, 68 La Tinchotte, 57117 Retonfey, FRANCE] -
Henry Schneider


Tiemko - Parade
(Musea FGBG 4057.AR) CD:  41:48

Parade is the third album by the superb French trio of
Remy Chauvidan (electric guitars, keyboards), Jean Jacques
Toussaint (synthesizers), and Eric Delaunay (drums,
vibraphone, xylophone).  Chauvidan, Toussaint, and
Delaunay each contributed three tracks to Parade.  Tiemko
creates an amalgam of rock, jazz fusion, and progressive
music (e.g., King Crimson, Ptose, Sensations Fixe, and Pat
Metheny).  Their music ranges from the excellent pseudo-
Mellotron of Delaunay's Good Bye Mister Prog, through
Chauvidan's oriental piece Taille One, to the breath taking
acoustic guitar of Delaunay's Hymne.  While on this
musical journey I encountered Toussaint's Spirale with a
lead guitar line that sounds like the melody from Sergio
Mendez' 60s hit The Look of Love.  Not at all what I
expected from Eric Delaunay's medieval influenced cover
art!  I guess you can't tell a CD by its cover.  Buy this CD
and join Tiemko on a Parade through their unique blend
of music.
[Musea, 68 La Tinchotte, 57117 Retonfey, FRANCE] -
Henry Schneider


Egoband - Trip in the Light of the World
(Musea FGBG 4053.AR) CD:  59:13

Trip in the Light of the World is the debut CD by the
Italian neo-progressive quartet Egoband (how
pretentious!):  Alessandro Accordino (voices &
keyboards),  Fabio Cioni (drums), Massimo Fava (guitars),
and Alfonso Capasso (bass).  When I first listened to Trip
in the Light of the World I was a tad surprised.  Egoband is
a progressive band, yet the opening two minutes of music
is pure "New Age electronics".  Don't be fooled, when the
drums roll in, the music kicks into high gear!  What we
have here is high energy progressive rock that almost
crosses over to main stream rock (Van Halen?).  This high
energy alternates between rockers like In the Air and
ballads like The Man, The Rain, The Door.  Accordino's
vocals sound like Marillion, but the English lyrics make
little sense.  Unfortunately the CD booklet is not much
help either.  It is full of typos and misspellings, I guess
written by someone unfamiliar with English.  Musea take
note, run a spell checker before the final printing.  Luckily
the lyrics are secondary and Accordino's voice dovetails
smoothly with the music.  Trip in the Light of the World
is sure to please those mainstream listeners that are afraid
to experiment with the more progressive bands.
[Musea, 68 La Tinchotte, 57117 Retonfey, FRANCE] -
Henry Schneider


Various Artists - Enchantement
(Musea FGBG 4006) CD:  70:48

Enchantement is a CD reissue of Musea's vinyl sampler of
12 French progressive bands:  Edhels, Raison de Plus,
Elohim, Pulsar, Atoll, Jean-Pascal Boffo, Minimum Vital,
Ange, Atmosphere, Anoxie, Sombre Reptile, and
Halloween.  Each band either specifically composed music
for this compilation or included a track from a current
release.  Musea put a lot of effort into this CD package:
crystal clear recording and production; beautiful cover
artwork; a picture CD; and a 28 page booklet with band
photos, complete discographies, and extensive histories in
both French and English.  The music is excellent and
ranges from "pop" influenced progressive through Camel
to King Crimson.  My favorite songs are Edhels' Elfin
Dance and Anoxie's The Quest.  Enchantement is an
excellent introduction to the new crop of French
progressive bands.
[Musea, 68 La Tinchotte, 57117 Retonfey, FRANCE] -
Henry Schneider


Tale Cue Voices - Beyond My Curtain
(Musea FGBG 4030.AR) CD:  63:32

Phew!  What an album!  Tale Cue is not just another of
those new Italian progressive bands.  If I didn't know
better, I could swear Voices Beyond My Curtain was a lost
progressive masterpiece of the 70s!  This band evokes
Pulsar and the German progressive bands such as Jane.
Tale Cue's debut CD has six wonderfully crafted songs and
they maintain complete control of their musical journey.
The music is outstanding!  Much thought went into these
compositions.  Tale Cue is a band that knows how to
control the use of Laura Basla's soaring voice and Silvio
Masanotti's fiery guitar to release the tension that builds
during Tale Cue's quiet passages.  At times Ms. Basla goes
through vocal gymnastics similar to Siouxie Sioux or
Lenya Lovich.  And on Choices Basla and Masanotti have
an inspiring voice - electric guitar duet.  Laura Basla's
wide vocal range and incredible treatment of Tale Cue's
surreal lyrics greatly enhance the six songs. Voices Beyond
My Curtain is an excellent suite of progressive music
guaranteed to please the most discriminating music lover.
[Musea, 68 La Tinchotte, 57117 Retonfey, FRANCE] -
Henry Schneider


Now - Children of a Dying World b/w Lost
(Musea FGBG 1001.AR) 7":  4:41/5:20

Now is a Belgian band and this  45 rpm single contains
two songs from their CD Spheres.  Now is a new band to
me and this single is the first time I've heard their music.
If these two songs are typical of the band, I am amazed that
Musea signed Now and released their music.  Now's
music is neither interesting, unique, nor innovative.  All
the qualities we've come to expect from Musea releases.
Children of a Dying World is particularly mediocre with
some silly backing female vocals.  It reminded me of the
worst "progressive" band - Styx.  The only thing going for
Now is the outstanding Art Deco style cover artwork.
Musea can be forgiven for this one indiscretion.  Let us
hope that Now is not a harbinger of a new trend in
Musea's catalog.
[Musea, 68 La Tinchotte, 57117 Retonfey, FRANCE] -
Henry Schneider


Klaus Schulze - 2001
(Brain 511 295-2) CD:  77:06

2001 is a sampling of Schulze's unique electronic music
spanning his career from 1972 to 1990.  It is not a greatest
hits album, but a collection of 4 to 7 minute excerpts from
15 classic Schulze works:  Gewitter, Voices of Syn, Totem,
Mindphaser, Blanche, Crystal Lake, Ludwig II. von
Bayern, Weird Caravan, Amourage, Silent Running, Pain,
En=Trance, The Beat Planante, Miditerranean Pads, and
Percussion Planante.  This amount of music stretches the
CD format to its limit.  Spanning almost 20 years of music
from his earliest analog efforts to his present digital
compositions, Schulze expertly selected and combined
these extracts to produce a CD that sounds like one long
continuous composition.  The only piece missing is Klaus'
explanation of why he chose these particular passages.  A
bit of rationale and historical perspective would go a long
way in making 2001 a perfect package.  2001 is a great way
to experience this music without suffering through those
overlong compositions that have plagued his recent
releases.  While this unique approach to sampling a
musicians work is intended for completists, 2001 is a tasty
appetizer sure to whet the newcomer's Schulze appetite.
[2001, Postbox 61037, 6000 Frankfurt 60, Germany] - Henry
Schneider


Fred Becker - INNER, STELLAR
(Mach 25 Music M25M 001) CD:  69:53

Fred Becker drew his inspiration for the music on Inner,
Stellar from his work on both the Space Shuttle and Space
Station programs.  His debut CD is a digital remixing and
rerecording of his 1989 cassette release of the stme name
plus additional music.  FredUs use of his Synergy and
analog synths imbues his music with a late seventies
ambience.  After a few listenings I found the music
growing on me.  The only drawback, albeit minor, is that
Fred does not substantially vary his sound colors from
piece to piece.  His beautiful floating music and pulsating
ostinatos take you on a gentle journey through dark starlit
skies.  Just sit back, relax, and close your eyes, you can be a
space captain.
[Mach 25 Music, P. O. Box 26331, Indianapolis, Indiana
46226, USA] - Henry Schneider
Peter Frohmader - 3rd Millenium's Choice - Vol. 2
(Nekropolis NCD 004) CD:  60:12

3rd Millenium's Choice - Vol. 2 is an unusual
Frohmader release.  His fans will no doubt be
surprised by the quiet introspective nature of the
music.  Taken as a whole, this music represents a
new musical direction for Herr Frohmader.  The
three pieces, Alaska (1984 - 1985), Seashore (1988
- 1989), and Deep Space (1991), recorded during
the same period that produced 3rd Millenium's
Choice - Vol. 1, Armorika, Homonculus I & II,
Macrocosm, Miniatures, Ritual, Spheres, The
Forgotten Enemy, Through Time and Mystery, and
Wintermusic, are vastly different.  What you hear on
this CD is another facet of his genius.
Frohmader's Alaska is not a frozen wasteland.  The
combination of Anke Gerkens' classical guitar,
Richard nder's harp, Stephan Manus' ethereal
violin, Birgit Metzger's voice, and Peter Frohmader's
floating electronics creates an Alaska of breath-
taking verdant forests and murmuring streams.
There is no struggle for survival against the
elements.  His Seashore is an enjoyable romp at the
beach with surging surf and sampled harp.  Closing
out the CD is Deep Space, the first Frohmader
composition that does not draw on the earth or
death for its inspiration.  It opens with lovely slow
moving washes of sound that eventually change to
the percussive music we've all come to expect.
Though this CD may come as a surprise to the die
hard Frohmader fan, it is excellent music and is sure
to gather him a new audience.
[Nekropolis Records, Kriegerstra'e 7, 8000
Mnchen 90, Germany] - Henry Schneider


NOH TV - I Want My - Noh TV
(No label info) C-90

I Want My - Noh TV is one long session recorded live
at the Caf Amsterdam in June 1991.  Noh TV is
Boyd Nutting - Casio and tapes, Debi Sellers - vocals
and percussion, and Walter Wright - drums and
percussion.  Random spoken word passages,
sampled voices, percussion, and electronics
interweave in a ritual type of music that is at times
dreamlike, just at the edge of consciousness.  "But in
his dreams, his mind made up for the
motionlessness."  "I rather than anything specific
I"  "I describe that later I"  "I then also the
discovery of the reason I"  "Discovery could be, uh,
half spelled out."  "These are the dreams I
remember as a child."  Forever changing and
evolving, this performance explores new directions
and at one point mutates into an annoying passage of
electronic whining.  And for you biology majors,
there is even some rambling about pig hemoglobin.  I
Want My - Noh TV is an interesting, but weird tape
that I'm sure any Laurie Anderson fan would love.
[Walter Wright, 911 Main Street, Indianapolis,
Indiana 46220-1714] - Henry Schneider


Klaus Schulze - Beyond Recall
(Venture CDVE 906) CD:  77:07

Klaus Schulze's 23rd solo album, Beyond Recall,
marks his rescue from the musical doldrums of
recent years (En=Trance, Babel, Miditerranean Pads,
etc.).  I believe Klaus lost his musical focus about the
time of his double LP Audentity.  Now with the new
decade, we are seeing a rebirth in his music.  Each
track on Beyond Recall creates a different mood with
enough transitions to keep things interesting
throughout the 77 minutes.  The music still features
Klaus' minimalist approach to sequences and
rhythms, but he is moving away from endless
repetitions and over long tracks.  The opening cut,
Gringo Negro, is a "Spaghetti Western" composition
based around some provocative sampled acoustic
guitar.  Another track, Brave Old Sequence, evokes
images of a wintry twilight in the frozen north, but it
gets a bit tedious.  Album highlights are Trancess,
his best since the Angst soundtrack, and Airlights.
Beyond Recall is a welcome addition to the Schulze
catalog.  As long as Klaus continues in this new
direction, there is hope for us all.
[Venture Records, c/o Virgin Records, Kensal House,
553/579 Harrow Road, London, W10, England] -
Henry Schneider


Kevin Leonard - On the Edge
(Space Monster CS-0190-3) C-45

Kevin Leonard is the keyboardist for the
Pennsylvanian neo-progressive band North Star.
This 1990 solo cassette is different from Kevin's
earlier work with North Star, its focus is more jazz
fusion than progressive music.  Ascent to Tomorrow
and On the Edge, the two best songs on the tape, are
marvelous progressive/fusion hybrids that could have
been recorded by Keith Emerson.  By contrast,
Dreamscape and One With the Light are tranquil
moments in this sea of fast complex music.  Clean
crisp production, tight arrangements, and
descriptive titles make for a superb solo effort.  All in
all, a noteworthy tape soon to be re-released on CD by
Space Monster.
[Kevin Leonard, P. O. Box 43, Glen Mills,
Pennsylvania 19342] - Henry Schneider

North Star - Triskelion
MC, LP:  42:14
North Star - Feel the Cold
(Synphonic SYNCD2 ) CD:  45:57

North Star is a British sounding neo-progressive
band from Pennsylvania featuring Dave Johnson on
guitar; Glenn Leonard on drums; Kevin Leonard on
keyboards, acoustic guitar, and bass; and Joe
Newnam on bass and vocals ala Peter Gabriel.  The
music of North Star can be best described as a
Genesis/Styx/Marillion/Italian progressive hybrid.
Originally released on cassette in 1984 and on LP by
Synphonic in 1988, Triskelion is soon to be available
on CD from the French label Musea.  Unfortunately,
Triskelion is marred by songs of 5 minutes or less
and a heavy reliance on lyrics.  At their worst, as on
Another Road of One and Time Traveller, North Star
could be mistaken for Styx.  At their best, North Star
really cook on the Italian progressive influenced
Herman Muenster and Bullfight.  Triskelion is an
uneven album and may be of interest only to track
North Star's growth as a band.

By contrast, North Star's second album Feel the
Cold, recorded one year later, is light years beyond
Triskelion.  Akin to early Genesis and Le Orme
albums, Feel the Cold contains keyboard dominated
music.  North Star learned their lesson from their
first release and lyrics are secondary to the music on
Feel the Cold.  Originally recorded in 1985, re-
released in Japan by Belle Antique in 1987, Feel the
Cold is now available on CD from Synphonic.  North
Star has matured as a band and the music on Feel
the Cold is first rate except for the two through away
tunes Moving the Base and Time Warp.  The best
tracks are Feel the Cold, Tomorrow Never Comes,
Oceans on Venus, and Finale.  In addition, Sands of
Time sounds like an out take from Genesis' Trick of
the Tale sessions.  Feel the Cold is a stellar album
and is sure to please any progressive fan.  It is good
to know that there are still bands out there creating
this kind of music, especially a band from the USA.
[Synphonic Records, P. O. Box 2034, La Habra,
California 90631] - Henry Schneider


Arttek - The Living Truth
(Harsh Reality HR 227 ) C-60

The Living Truth is the fifth cassette release by the
duo of Guy Stauffer and Chris Cooper and the music
focuses on Martin Luther King.  Arttek usually
performs by itself, but this time around they feature
guest appearances by Joe Limbus and Alsizer.
Arttek's approach to music is to use sequenced
electronics spread like icing over chopped and
channeled cartoon, TV, movie, or documentary
soundtracks.  The Living Truth is Arttek's most
polished effort to date.  Pulsating electronics,
"mellotronic" strings, great synth riffs, a heavy beat,
and protest speechifying weave in and out of the
music.  At times Arttek creates some stellar cosmic
journeys while at others the political message is
important.  E-Racer is one of their best, the bass
arpeggios propel the music and leave you wanting
more.  If you ever wondered what would happen if
you crossed protest music with space music, Arttek
is the answer.
[Harsh Reality Music, P. O. Box 241661, Memphis,
Tennessee 38124-1161] - Henry Schneider


AVANT/EXPERIMENTAL


Peter Frohmader - ARMORIKA
(Nekropolis NCD 003) CD:  74:24

Armorica,the ancient name for Brittany, was once
occupied by the Celts and still contains many burial
mounds, dolmens, and menhirs.  The music on
Armorika is PeterUs musical impression of this region.
The enclosed beautiful black and white photographs of
Brittany taken by Peter and his artist friend Liselotte
Siegert complement the music.  Peter never ceases to
surprise the listener, even on this CD, his 15th album.
Each new release is an improvement over the last.
Armorika builds on and goes way beyond what Peter
explored on Macrocosm and 3rd Millennium's Choice.
Gone is PeterUs digital orchestra.  Instead he returns to the
bass, electronics, acoustic instruments, sampled nature
sounds, and a judicious use of silence to build the tension.
There is a constant shift of moods across the 11 tracks and
yet the music is unmistakenly Frohmader.  Beautiful
bucolic and folksy passages are followed by heavy
ritualistic sequences similar to Zoviet France.  At other
times jazz fusion leads to RcabaretS music.  And as always,
there is FrohmaderUs diabolical signature as in Tumulus,
Les Roches du Diable, Dolmen, and AberwracUh.  Truly
another excellent album from a long list of triumphs.
Play this CD, turn out the lights, and experience Brittany
through the mind of Herr Frohmader.
[Nekropolis Records, Kriegerstr. 7 - 8000 Mnchen 90,
Germany] - Henry Schneider


Mauve Sideshow - MAUVE SIDESHOW
(Refraction Sound) CD:  46:22

The Mauve Sideshow is a duo of expatriated Texans,
Dusty Lee and Treva, now living in Seattle.  Their new
CD, Mauve Sideshow, includes remixed tracks from their
two privately released LPs Dark Flowers and Stray
Apparitions along with a new track Hide in the Rain.
There is a dream-like quality to this music.  DustyUs broad
washes of processed synthesizer, tape collage, and
Mellotron are mixed under TrevaUs wordless vocal
meanderings and psychedelic recitations.  The tripiness of
TrevaUs singing is reminiscent of Lady June and her
Linguistic Leprosy.  Mauve Sideshow is perfect listening
for those dreary, rainy afternoons or just before bed.  Just
relax and let your mind wander through the music.
Mauve Sideshow is the Psychedelic/Industrial/Avant
Garde crossover album of 1991!

[Refraction Sound, 165 Boston #4, Seattle, Washington
98109] - Henry Schneider


ADAMS, PAUL:  Various Waves CD

Various Waves is Paul AdamsU debut CD.  Paul composed,
produced, performed, and engineered this music in his
living room during 1989.  He is also a builder of expensive
handmade string instruments such as guitars and
dulcimers.  Paul uses Various Waves to showcase both his
artistry and craftsmanship.  Various Waves is a collection
of 12 songs, two with vocals, that range from pastoral
acoustic folk to electronic New Age music.  At one end of
the spectrum are the acoustic Fayethe and Dance of the
Forest Fruits that spotlight some exceptional finger
picking.  At the other end is the Mark Isham-esque
Fathers Reminiscence and the eery An Early Expedition.
The final track Goodnight is different from all the others.
Goodnight opens with a young girl, Rachel McCarty,
singing and playing guitar.  After a few bars, Paul skillfully
blends in his voice and guitar to round out this delightful
song.  Various Waves is an exceptionally well produced
first release, clear sound and tight arrangements abound.
Obviously, Paul cares as much about his music as he does
about his instruments.  (Nature Records, P. O. Box 2749,
Friday Harbor, Washington 98250) - Henry Schneider

FITZGERALD, SCOTT:  Northern Lights CD

Nature Records releases REnvironmentally consciousS
recordings, the majority composed by Scott Fitzgerald.
One of their selling features is that Nature Records uses a
portion of its profits toward the rehabilitation of the
EarthUs natural environment and endangered wildlife.  A
noble cause, but definitely not worth parting with your
hard earned dollars for Northern Lights.  The
promotional material on the CD bills Northern Lights as
FitzgeraldUs crossover Rspace musicS album.  DonUt be
fooled by this hype.  Northern Lights contains nothing but
your typical New Age pabulum.  There is NO cosmic feel
to ANY of the music.  Fitzgerald and his producer Richard
Hooper apparently have never listened to Rspace musicS
and therefore have misapplied the label.  Fitzgerald and
Hooper would do themselves a service by listening to real
Rspace musicS (Ash Ra, Hawkwind, Neuronium,
Nightcrawlers, early T. Dream, Klaus Schulze, etc.) before
they attempt another RcrossoverS album.  The closest this
CD came to Rspace musicS was when I used my CD player
to fast forward through the songs.  I tried to be fair, open
minded, and listen to the entire CD, but I couldnUt stand it.
Fitzgerald uses his arsenal of digital synthesizers to play
insipid pop melodies.  His music demands no attention
from the listener.  It is a shame, Fitzgerald has some great
song titles:  Solar Sea, Meteor Dance, Nebula, Aurora, and
Fourth Rock from the Sun (no doubt a reference to Mars).
I wish the music could have begun to approach the
promise of these titles.  (Nature Records, P. O. Box 2749,
Friday Harbor, Washington 98250) - Henry Schneider


MUHS, ERIC:  Truth & Lies C-45

This marvelous tape is a hoot!  You never know what
will happen next.  On one song you might hear snatches
from a John Wayne western while on another pure
electronics or RHercule PoirotS.  Truth & Lies is a veritable
cornucopia of musical styles.  Muhs and his guest
contributors make musical references to artists such as:
Bill Nelson, Brian Eno, David Byrne, Ash Ra, Thomas
Dolby, and Dome.  There are 18 songs on Truth & Lies, yet
the track listing ranges from #21  to #36.  It's hopeless to
find a one-to-one correspondence between this listing and
the music.  From all I can surmise, the Truth is the music
and the Lies are the liner notes.  Truth & Lies serves up
some ingenious and fun music.  Support the indie pain
dance and give it a listen!  (Eric Muhs, 118 Mattison Lane,
Aptos, California 95003) - Henry Schneider


KOLAB:  A Dark Hour for History C-30

A Dark Hour for History is the new cassette by Kolab, a
collaboration between Pete Gulch (Nightcrawlers) and the
Canadian synthesist Steve Brenner.  This mixture of
talents is magical and should appeal to any fan of teutonic
space music.  A Dark Hour for History is two 14 minute
cosmic journeys into the nether reaches of your mind,
Time Traveler and A Dark Hour for History.  Sequenced
electronics, piano, and found sounds make for a highly
enjoyable half hour of music.  I wish there were more
music on this tape!  A Dark Hour for History is easily the
best release IUve heard on the Synkronos label.  Check it
out for yourself.  (Steve Brenner, P. O. Box 114 Station C,
Kitchener, Ontario N2G 3W9, CANADA) - Henry
Schneider


MACLEOD, BRUCE:  The Heart of the Machine C-45

Macleod sequenced and pre-mixed The Heart of the
Machine on his Mac and then recorded it direct to a DAT,
hence the title.  Clear, clean, crisp sound and the lack of a
mechanical feel to the music is a tribute both to
technology and MacleodUs musicianship.  However, it is
not clear from the liner notes if he used the Mac as a
synthesizer as well as a sequencer.  Since the music is
primarily jazz fusion, I can only guess that I am reviewing
this tape because of MacleodUs use of the Mac.  The Heart
of the Machine  sounds as if a group is playing, not a
multi-tracked Macleod.  Unfortunately, I feel that there is
too much happening in his music.  Macleod could use
some judicious editing to leave more RspaceS between his
drums, bass, and vibes.  Nothing exciting happens with
the music, itUs just some good background tunes.
(Watchful Eye Recordings, 73 Orchard Way, Novato,
California 94947) - Henry Schneider


DOLDEN, PAUL:  The Threshold of Deafening Silence CD

Paul Dolden is a freelance Canadian composer who has
won more than fifteen awards and competitions in
Europe, Canada, and the USA.  The Threshold of
Deafening Silence is the premier release on the new
Canadian label Tronia Disc.  This excellent CD contains
four of DoldenUs compositions recorded between 1983 and
1989, a total of 68 minutes of highly structured and often
difficult music.  The Threshold of Deafening Silence
ranges from quiet interludes to cacophonic barrages of
sound.  There are no electronic effects or processing of the
digital acoustic recordings on three of the four pieces.  But
you wouldnUt know it to listen to the music.  DoldenUs
compositional approach involves combining multiple
layers of digitally recorded woodwinds, brass, voices,
percussion, guitars, and strings to create new and unique
sound textures.  The opening bars of Below the Walls of
Jericho immediately evoke LigetiUs Atmospheres.  The 400
tracks of acoustic instruments and sounds on this piece
build to a volley of sound guaranteed to topple any wall!
Each unparalleled and skillfully constructed composition
explores a different facet of sound structure.  Forget those
industrialists who only dabble in this area.  Buy this CD
and listen to true avant-garde music.  CAVEAT EMPTOR:
This music is not for the weak of heart.  (Tronia Disc, 160
Beaconsfield Ave., Toronto, Ontario M6J 3J6, CANADA) -
Henry Schneider


NOW ADMIT IT, ISN'T THIS ORDERS OF MAGNITUDE BETTER THAN ALL THAT CRAP
ABOUT MICHAEL JACKSON, BOB SEGER, TED NUGENT, ETC.????????
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU