Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/5/84; site tellab1.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!ihnp4!tellab1!etan From: etan@tellab1.UUCP (Nate Stelton) Newsgroups: net.music Subject: mini reviews Message-ID: <489@tellab1.UUCP> Date: Fri, 31-May-85 14:03:22 EDT Article-I.D.: tellab1.489 Posted: Fri May 31 14:03:22 1985 Date-Received: Sat, 1-Jun-85 02:31:42 EDT Reply-To: etan@tellab3.UUCP (Nate Stelton) Organization: Tellabs, Inc., Lisle, IL Lines: 66 Mini Reviews Special emphasis on synthesists Digital Moonscapes -- Wendy Carlos Most people remember Wendy from Switched on Bach, when she was Walter (before the, uh, operation) in '69. Carlos has been a very accomplished composer for quite some time, but unfortunately, not very recognized. Moonscapes is a multi-movement impressionist-style piece in which Wendy has truly created the effect of a futuristic symphony orchestra (as opposed to just a "fat" sound). Her sound is as expressive as Tomita's, and the music approaches the level of quality of the likes of Ravel and Mussorgsky. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Oasis -- Kitaro What with all this talk on the net about Kitaro, I figured I had better check one of his pressings out. I ended up with this one, but I don't know when it was recorded; it was one of many on the shelf. The recording quality is crisp and clean, but I found the music cliche' and the sounds (patches) trite. Not bad for background music, though. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ciani -- Seven Waves Susan Ciani, who was featured in Keyboard Magazine a couple months ago, writes and performs some really nice stuff on this album. I get the feeling that she cares about the structure of her compositions, and is well aware of the concept of developement. I hate to put it this way, but Seven Waves was a welcome sound after Oasis. A note for you drum box folks -- Ciani used a Roland TR-808 occasionally, and it sounded very cheesy to me (I own a Yamaha RX-15). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Vapor Drawings -- Mark Isham I know this is an oldie (1982), but I just got it, and I gotta plug this guy. Isham, formerly the trumpeter of Art Lande's Rubisa Patrol, is now heavily into synthesizer, and has a real feel for composing on it. The music provides "nature visions" for me, as does much Windham Hill and ECM stuff, despite its very electronic nature. Isham is really getting into the soundtrack business, (Never Cry Wolf, and others) so watch those film credits when you hear some good syn music at the flicks. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sportin' Life -- Weather Report Well, actually this doesn't fit in with the all-synths, but I wanted to talk about it anyway. Yet, I'm not sure what to say. It sounds as good as any WR album, but somehow, it just doesn't quite grab me like Domino Theory did. We must all realize, however, that you have to listen to a WR album a lot before it sinks in, and I've only gotten about 10 or so plays in. Wayne Shorter (sax) seems to be in top form. I'm going to keep on listening; I think it's well worth my while. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Black Cars -- Gino Vannelli Gino is back, and has updated himself with this collection of very danceable tunes. The music reminds me more of Peter Gabriel than Vannelli, except for its jazzier chordal feelings. Joe Vannelli handles all the keyboards and puts forth some really exciting synthesizer arrangements. Quite catchy. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Coming soon... Vangelis has a new one out. When I get it, I'll review it. -etan