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Re: Electronic Music

Posted: Sun Aug 11, 2019 11:00 pm
by Fretless
Listening to a lot of music from Gert Emmens, a Dutch EM veteran who has been recording since the 90's.
His sound is rhythmic and melodic with strong sequencer patterns and a terrific use of wide-screen spatial effects.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mfeDphKDCqQ

A new find is Rudy Adrian who comes from New Zealand. He makes delicate and harmonious music in a similar style to Paul Ellis. A sort of toughened-up New Age that can sweep you along once the sequencers kick in. Definite shades of KS here.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GbV44hkXWGs

Re: Electronic Music

Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2019 10:19 pm
by Fretless
More recently, Holland's own Gert Emmens has stretched his creativity to doing some thematic albums.

Firstly there is 'Tales of the Warlock'; a concept album of magic and romance with a slightly harder edge to the sound and some quite aggressive soloing in a couple of places. Bit of Tony Banks mellotron sound sweeping along here as well. In fact Mr. Emmens has also made a Prog-rock album called 'Memories' where he goes all Rick Wakeman.

Gert Emmens, The Confrontation Warlock Versus the Wizard of the Dark

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Another nice disc is 'An Artists's Stroke' about Russian painter Yuri Pugachov. Made with help from the artists's son Artemi Pugachov who runs an online Electronic Music encyclopedia.
The music on this album is quite dynamic and evocative with loads of Gert's trademark sequencer patterns and atmospheres.

Gert Emmens - An Artist's Stroke - trailer

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It's off to Norway next with the guitar-driven ambient sounds of Erik Wollo. :music-listening:

Re: Electronic Music

Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2019 9:33 am
by Fretless
Reminder for bargain-hunting EM fans.

Groove still have a Summer Sale on their own titles up to number GR-215 until the end of the month, 20% off list price
AND on their download shop as well - type in NEW as discount code. High-quality MP3 and FLAC.
The CD's are mostly down to about 7 pounds each.
I've been buying-up a stack of their discs this month and am enjoying them immensely. :dance:

This label has a stable of British and European EM artists and you'll be sure to find something you like if you are into Berlin School, TD, Jarre, KS, ambient and even techno!

Recommended:
Volt (UK)
Create (UK)
Gert Emmens (Hol)
Hemisphere (Ger)
Paul Ellis (USA)
Rudy Adrian (NZ)
John Lakveet (Sp)

Quite a lot of the albums have MP3 clips to listen to as well
And Groove are currently setting up shop on Bandcamp for downloads.

Link: http://www.groove.nl/index2.html

Re: Electronic Music

Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2019 10:18 am
by antonio66
Aren't you using Tidal Fretless, you may never have to buy another cd again. We're loving Tidal integrated with Roon. :grin:

Re: Electronic Music

Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2019 11:02 pm
by Fretless
I have had subscriptions to both Spotify and Qobuz. But gave them up because I wasn't really using either.

It's the old-fashioned record-collector bug (or CD-collector in my case). I need to have something physical, that I have bought and paid for, that I can look at and eventually put on a shelf with all the other albums. A collection, yes!

Also I like to rip my own discs (now to WAV because I think it sounds better). 'My' own copy on my own HardDrive. Listening to something I don't actually own doesn't feel right. I've even replaced most of the albums I have as clandestinely-downloaded MP3's with legally-bought CD's.

Then there is the 'support the struggling artist' clause. Chatting to my friend Jared over at Channel Classics, he invariably complains about dwindling CD-sales, slowly improving paid-download revenue and the pittance you get from streaming services. The streaming subscription you pay goes into one big pot, this is divided per play amongst the copyright holders for the tracks. So most of the cash goes to big-name artists who are streamed in huge volumes. Lesser-known and niche musicians hardly get anything.

Have seen a streaming service for Classical music coming by recently. Can't remember the name. Oh yes - Primephonic.

Bandcamp is changing this. I paid for a download there recently and you get a choice of download formats: MP3, FLAC, WAV and more. And you get a permanent access to stream that album from Bandcamp to any device you choose. This works better for me - don't have the feeling that I am stealing anything and that the artist gets to be paid for his hard work.

That's my rant for the day.
Got to go and rip a TD Boxset now (yes, THAT box-set).16 CD's!
Yay! :dance: :dance: :dance:

Re: Electronic Music

Posted: Sat Aug 17, 2019 8:20 am
by CN211276
When I discovered how good lossless streaming is I saw no point in keeping my CDs after ripping them. They took up a lot of space and there were domestic considerations. I also had problems reading the small print. Vinyl was a different matter as my colection was a lot smaller and I can read what is on the cover and inside.

Re: Electronic Music

Posted: Sat Aug 17, 2019 10:40 pm
by Andy-831
Agree with Fretless 100% it's about physically owning the item. Clearly we are collectors or maybe even hoarders who knows. Strangely music I own and have paid for sounds better, yes I know that's expectation bias, but it's just how it is for me. I have zero interest in listening to streamed music other than as an initial source if I am researching an artist or genre. If I like them I buy something tangible from them.

Re: Electronic Music

Posted: Sat Aug 17, 2019 11:11 pm
by Fretless
Andy-831 wrote: Sat Aug 17, 2019 10:40 pm Agree with Fretless 100% it's about physically owning the item. Clearly we are collectors or maybe even hoarders who knows. Strangely music I own and have paid for sounds better, yes I know that's expectation bias, but it's just how it is for me. I have zero interest in listening to streamed music other than as an initial source if I am researching an artist or genre. If I like them I buy something tangible from them.
Exactly how I feel, Andy. Well said. :clap: :guiness;

Re: Electronic Music

Posted: Sun Aug 18, 2019 11:28 am
by antonio66
I can understand your feelings about physical ownership, this streaming is new to us, but so far haven't missed owning cd's, after all they were always ripped and put into storage. If there is a cd you want and it's on Tidal you can add to library so it appears in your collection. Can listen to any of your recommendations, like keep, dislike ignore.

Re: Electronic Music

Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2019 9:30 am
by Fretless
It's huge. It's heavy! (seriously solid) and I haven't dared to open it yet.
Too busy here at the moment anyway - madhouse.

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Review due sometime before Xmas (if I'm lucky).

Toodlepip. :geek: