Bock, Wolfgang: Cycles

German electron synthesist Wolfgang Bock is a stalwart of the Berlin scene. His first solo album titled Cycles was released in 1980 and one in which MIG Music felt deserved a rerelease, now on CD with an added bonus track. The album was produced by nonother than electronic pioneer Klaus Schulze and if you are familiar and dig his ‘70s work, you will certainly appreciate what Cycles is all about �" some of the finest spacey electronic music you are likely to hear.

If you are a fan of sequencers and Mellotron you need to listen to the album opening title track. Swishing waves of synths and Mellotron choirs will ensure your cosmic journey will be suitably trippy. The pulsating sequencers add more layers in a rich tapestry of otherworldly sounds and the drumming of Brad Howel propels it all along rather nicely. It’s eighteen minutes of electronic space prog bliss. “Robsai (Parts 1 & 2)� begins with a dramatic church organ emitting a gothic vibe, very grandiose in scope, then sequencers and Mellotron choirs add that characteristic spaciness. The second part is dark, moody, and mysterious, before sequencers are used to accent the groove. Super trippy stuff. “Stop The World� ebbs and flows as the sequencers and effects twist and swirl making for a spellbinding listen, especially with headphones. The bonus track, found at the end of the disc, features Conrad Seltmann (spoken word vocals), Hans Hardt (guitar), and Harald Grosskopf (drums). Along with the shimmering electronics and synths, the cosmic-like guitar adds another layer of sonic goodness, ensuring the tune fits nicely alongside the main album tracks. The wonderful cover art is courtesy of Urs Amann, known for some of Klaus Schulze’s classic ‘70s covers.

Majestic and cosmic, Cycles is a revelatory listening experience that I consider essential for any space rock/electronic collection. Simply outstanding!

Track Listing:
1. Cycles (18:51)
2. Robsai Part 1 (2:26)
3. Robsai Part 2 (2:42)
4. Changes (2:03)
5. Stop The World (10:45)
Bonus track:
6. Wir fliegen ins All (4:11)

Added: September 24th 2024
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Label's Official Site
Hits: 130
Language: english

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