PROTOGONOS 
914397
CD
STRANGE GEOGRAPHIE

SPACE/COSMIC (SYNTH)

The third release on the DiN label has no Ian Boddy involvement!  'Strange Geographie' is the first release from this duo of space musicians based in Halifax, UK. Quoting the label: “If 16th Century renaissance man Francis Bacon was alive today, this is what he'd be playing - An alchemical blend of amorphous and swirling textures - Music from the sound houses where the maps don't go - Deep, dark and cosmic - music to float to infinity with (and back)”. I first encountered the group several years ago when they sent me a demo of their first cassette release for potential distribution. That cassette turned out to be one of the most satisfying examples of real cosmic synth music around at that time, and this set of 3 cosmic epics on their debut CD, are no less an amazing achievement. Again quoting the label: “Without a series of bright tunes or sparkling synth solos of baroque virtuosity, this can be an uncompromising collection - Dense and unforgiving, 'Strange Geographie' is not for the casual traveller or day-tripper. Anyone expecting a clean digitally brightened landscape should proceed with caution, because it has grit and buzz, with a cut and paste edge that makes it sound graphically organic”. So, there are no rhythms and there are no melodies, but it’s atmospheric qualities are second to none, giving a true representation of what space-tripping might really sound like!

Playing for just over an hour, there is not a rhythm or tune in sight - This is cosmic/space music (call it what you will) that evokes all the right atmospheres, giving you the genuine feeling that you are travelling through space to the far reaches of an uncharted galaxy. As your journey continues, the music allows you to paint your own mind-pictures, as the layers of keyboards, from haunting to richly textured, evolve in quite breathtaking fashion. You will be transfixed by the deep bass synth undercurrents and Tim Blake-esque swoops and swooshes that are on display here, and the expansive synthscapes that the band create for this brand of amorphous space music are some of the finest examples of the style that you will come across. You can't fail to fall under the celestial spell of this magical music, which is firmly UK-based in its style and construction, and far from the sweet sounding elements that inhabit a lot of the USA musicians operating in a similar sphere. Overall, it's one of the finest space synth music albums on the planet, and no arguing.

Weight: 150.00 g