D3U@PSUVM.BITNET (01/09/85)
Cyborg is 100 minutes of sonic torture? Timewind and Dune are maybe OK?
Tsktsk!
Well, Cyborg isn't exactly the kind of thing one should throw at someone who
isn't into space, new age, or meditative music, but I find it torturous that
someone would call it 100 minutes of sonic torture. There is a static quality
to the music, and it may not be obvious that the music does go somewhere (even
if mostly in circles). But the music is at the same time flowing. It is also
like having four lp sides of OMMMMM music. Maybe listening to Cyborg does
require patience, discipline, setting aside of the desire to hear normative or
gutgripping or percussive or dramatic, but it is an excellent lp for those who
can be "quiet" and let the music flow and concentrate on the subtle effect of
the music. This is not mind blowing but it is STATE OF MIND music that can be
just as effective for those who know. Stockhausen fans, or Pauline Oliveros
fans, or matbe even fans of the pre-commercial Laurie Anderson, might enjoy
this (in fact fans of "Flying"(Oliveros) or "Stimmung"(Stockhausen) should
give a listen). Cyborg IS effective as space music and is an excellent vehicle
for altered states of conciousness.
Dune (the less repetitive side) and Timewind are excellent, also. Both are
more interesting for the uninitiated to listen to than Cyborg, but are not as
dramatic as Trancefer. These are more "pure" electronic music in that they are
more abstract and are more obviously synthesized sounding. The music sounds
like the lp titles. If you can't put up with 50 mins of windy sounds with some
sequencing, go back to Pink Floyd and listen to Saucerful, portions of Echoes,
and Several Species ... grooving with a Pict some more. Better yet, try from
the 2001 soundtrack the excerpts from Gyorgi Ligeti, esp the music that comes
when the monolith appears (Requiem for .. and Mixed choirs) this may help you
get into Cyborg, too. Timewind and Dune are dramatic, but not as obviously as
Trancefer.
Actually, for fans of Pink Floyd or hard rock or metal (like Gypsy or Rainbow
Demon by Uriah Heep or the heavy ELP material that doesn't use a bit of flash)
I suggest Schulze's lp Moondawn. The one side, about halfway through?, his
typical sound suddenly gives way to hard heavy organ and drums. This is a mind
blowing sort of burned out totality.
Schulze's Live lp has one very abstrct piece for hardcore electronic and
experimental fans, called Bellistique,that is excellent. The side called
"Heart" begins inaudibly and builds slowly for several minutes before
introducing floating keyboards and electronic percussives hinting toward
Trancefer. The side called "Sense" is a jam between Schulze and drummer Harald
Grosskopf of Ash Ra Tempel (German space band Schulze was with early in the
Seventies). The side called "Dymagic" is like some kind of space opera with
ceremonial electronic rhythms and Authur Brown (remember "Fire", hit song from
1968? His band left him to become Atomic Rooster featuring Vincent Crane)
chanting. Thes four sides of Live show different styles Schulze uses and were
released two or three years before Transfer. comes with poster
Another lp which shows different styles but isn't as avante garde is X, as in
ten. A booklet showing some Schulze history is included.
from the Cosmic Archives of the Cosmic One