One of the finest keyboard extravaganza's of the late 1990's was the debut solo album from Rocket Scientist virtuoso Erk Norlander titled Threshold. Now, 7 years later, this rocket fueled album of instrumental brilliance has been remastered, expanded, and repackaged, so the music fan can enjoy it all over again.
Not since the days of ELP has a three piece ensemble created such a huge wall of sound like Mr. Norlander, bassist Don Schiff, and drummer Greg Ellis created here on Threshold. From the ominous sounds of "Neurosaur", to the funky fusion of "No Cross to Carry", to the classic prog of "Neuro Boogie", this is a real tour-de-force. Plus, let's not forget the ripping "Critical Mass", a song that surely cemented Norlander's place among the keyboard greats. Erik uses nothing but synthesizers on this album, and the wide assortment of sounds and textures he is able to muster up is simply amazing. Oh, and did I mention that the remaster job really sounds great? The bass has more groove to it, the drums better clarity, and the keyboards sound crisper. This is a keyboard lovers wet dream folks!
The extras that are included on this 2 CD set are the previously unreleased songs "The Long Ion Train", a very ELP-influenced tune, "Solace", "Return to the Ruins of Trantor"( a real precussion workout for Ellis), plus the Japanese bonus track "Hyperspace." Disc 2 contains 32 minutes of live and aternate versions of songs from the original album, plus a video of "Trantor Station" from ProgWest 2001. The booklet is chock full of commentary from various musicians (including Keith Emerson) and friends of Norlander, and make for an intriguing read.
This is a highly recommended classic from one of progressive rocks great talents, and a must have for fans of keyboard based instrumental music.
Track Listing
Disc One
1) Arrival (1:54)
2) Neurosaur (5:25)
3) No Cross to Carry (5:47)
4) Threshold (8:12)
5) Neuro Boogie (5:45)
6) Trantor Station (5:28)
7) Waltz of the Biots, Parts I-III (11:17)
8) Critical Mass, Parts I-V (7:41)
9) The Long Ion Train-previously unreleased (3:33)
10) Hyperspace-bonus track to 1997 Japanese pressing (5:56)
11) Solace-previously unreleased (6:02)
12) Return to the Ruins of Trantor-previously unreleased (5:25)
Disc Two
13) Threshold Medley 1999-Live at the Cadillac Room (7:02)
14) Trantor Station 2001-Live at ProgWest (7:12)
15) No Cross to Carry-QCard Version (4:47)
15) Neuro Boogie-QCard Version (2:00)
16) Walts of the Biots-Machine Mix (5:25)
17) Neurosaur-Machine Mix (5:26)
Quicktime video: Trantor Station Live at ProgWest 2001
Total Running Time (104:35)
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