Keller & Schönwälder - Sakrale Töne (1997) [Reissue 2008]

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Keller & Schönwälder - Sakrale Töne (1997) [Reissue 2008]

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One thing that must be said right from the beginning is that, for most of the tracks, it's very different to their previous collaboration 'Loops & Beats'. It is a live album, except the last piece, the tracks being taken from two performances and sound rather improvised. One of these performances was in a church and great use was made of the organ! The first track opens with chord after chord layered on top of one another but before long a sequence can be heard low in the mix. This gradually forces its way to the surface and mutates slowly throughout the piece, reminiscent of Klaus Schulze at times.
The second starts with synthesized choir effects over which occasional deep space sounds shimmer. This must have sounded awesome and somewhat spiritual in the church. The organ makes an entrance at the five minute mark, meandering around the synth and choral backing, well over the top but to these ears superb. More choir effects introduce the third track and over this is layered a simple sequence which fades away at the half way mark to be replaced by a piano lead line, again rather meandering and lazy sounding but creating a very laid back atmosphere.
Great organ effects open the twenty minute 'Zugabe Mit Orgel…'. It is even more OTT than before, mixing the organ with deep bass synth backing creating an awesome slab of Gothic atmospherics. A sequence joins in at the thirteen minute mark which is a good job as virtually solo organ has begun to be a bit too much even for these ears. Be warned this is heavy stuff.
'… Und Ein Ende Mit Sequenzen' provides a lighter contrast as a playful sequence creates a backing for various synth effects and layered chords. At the half way mark the organ comes in again and stays with the track to the end.
The final track 'Far From India Part Two' will be recognizable to anyone who has 'Loops and Beats' as it is really a continuation of the first track on the second disc.