In 2005 under the title "Analogy, Volume 1", a compilation cd came out with unreleased material from a lot of interesting electronic musicians. The assignment was to create a piece only using analog equipment. This was a success, hence now a second cd is released (well, the title "Volume 1" already indicated this of course…). And again, this album is the host for a diversity of wonderful tracks. Collaborating artists are, amongst others, Ron Boots, Kees Aerts (who for the first time in years makes a -very nice- solo piece "Branch Hopping"), Stephen Parsick, Remy, Gert Emmens and Ruud Heij, EM2 (=Emmens and Embrase), Craig Padilla, Create, Remotion, and others. The cd begins with the most exiting piece: "Mellowtrothoughts" from Roque Element. It is an improvisation (on a Saturday morning) on two Mellotrons, who give this track an atmosphere like Tangerine Dream’s "Mysterious Semblance At The Stand Of Nightmares" (from "Phaedra"). But also "Velvet Sky" of Emmens/Heij (not surprisingly with strong sequences), "Reaching Out" of Create, "Expectations" of Remy (for the biggest part played on the MemoryMoog) and "Sneak Preview" of Ron Boots are fine pieces. Highlights on the cd are -next to Rogue Element- the moody "Electromagnetic" of Stephen Parsick and "Sonar Vision" of Remotion. Hopefully they will make a new album soon. "Analogy" is a very strong initiative. More may follow because there are plenty of fine musicians making plenty of fine music out there. Paul Rijkens "Mellowtronthoughts" is an extremely beautiful and gentle Mellotron piece by Rogue Element. It's like being in a magic, extraterrestrial forest. If you wondered what would the brighter version of Tangerine Dream's "Fauni-Gena" sound like - this is it. Excellent! "Tole Ondulee" from Francois-Pol Cornec follows in a more experimental and dark vein. The basic ingredient here is an echoing sequence that is then joined by heavy-handed bass lines and synthesized melodies. Very analog and very in-your-face. "Sunrise On Cyderia" by 4m33s is a sedate (but darkish) piece with some interesting effects. The synth pad sound is very dominant here while the rest of the sounds assume a secondary role. Nice piece! This track then gives way for "Velvet Sky" from Emmens & Heij. A very Jarre-like bass sequence ("Arpeggiator" anyone?) enters and is then joined by excellent synth pads. This track is in typical Emmens & Heij style and if you know (and like) these guys - you'll find plenty to enjoy here! This is pure Berlin School magnificence! One of those tracks to simply sit back and enjoy, while letting your mind wander. A mournful lead line cries on top - excellently done and very beautiful! "Cosmic Kiwi II Part 1" from Russell Storey gradually fades in with heavy analogue drones, effects and some bright synth flashes. Very good. "Black Tails" from James J. Clent came as a surprise, as it combines excellent Ashra-like guitar playing with very profound analogue synthesis and a bass rhythm. A very enjoyable number that reminds on the good old days of EM. A processed guitar-solo cries on top and we are heading straight into the stratosphere. (or is that stratosfear?) Anyway, James J. Klent is a new name for me and on this track he proved to be an expert musician. "Improbability Drive" from Craig Padilla follows with strange effects of the dark variety. After a while a super-fast sequence develops that is then joined by equally fast rhythms and we are motoring down the cosmic highway at quite a pace now. Some cosmic lead lines can be heard in the background. Words can't describe just how much I like this track. It does not have any recognizable melodies. It defies categorization. It's just one big mass of dynamic cosmic sound that sucks you in a whirlpool of dreams and nightmares. At 5+ minutes it's so short - I could listen to this stuff for ages. Kees Aerts provides us with "Branch Hopping" that starts in a peaceful manner that's in complete contrast to the previous number. However, it's not long before a heavy bass sequence enters the stage, forming the basis for yet another upbeat track. Excellent analogue sounds orchestrate this number that's as good as anything else on this fabulous compilation. Excellent lead lines take us back to the cosmos again. Wow! This sampler is quickly becoming my top album of 2006! "Creation Garden" by Zen Paradox (aka Steve Law) follows in a sequency manner with all kind of pulsations juxtaposed with mysterious pads and background effects. A TR-808 rhythm supports the flow, resulting in a gently rhythmic, smooth EM track. Steve's trademark style is very recognizable and yet this track is fairly unique. "Electromagnetic" from Stephen Parsick was another revelation, being basically an Industrial-type piece with various metallic clangs and no-nonsense echoing structures. It's amazing what this man achieved with just a Moog synthesizer and a Rhodes piano. Ever fancied waking up in an abandoned industrial complex on another planet, with ancient, rusty, gargantuan machines surrounding you? If the imagery seems familiar, then this track is for you. Me, I was pissing my pants from excitation in no time. Outstanding! "Reaching Out" by Create follows. Mellotron choirs and analogue melodies is basically what we get for the first couple of moments, but after a while a sequence appears together with rather mysterious lead lines. The tron flute really adds to the mood of this track, while the sequences are as good as ever. Altres serves us an acoustic guitar piece in the form of "Dusktreader" with just enough analogue synths to please any fan of EM. A very unusual track I must add, that sounds like a folky version of synth music (or the synth version of folk music). "Cosmic Kiwi II Part 2" from Russell Storey takes us back to the darker realms with echoing analogue textures and the drones that opened part 1. The Remotion guys give us "Sonar Vision" - a track that's as emotional as ever. Their sequencing powers are evident on this track as well as their melodic skills. Mellotron strings give this track a mournful, melancholic flair, while the rhythms are as urgent as ever. Remy gives us "Expectations" - an extremely gentle piece with contrasting (more harsh) sounds. I must add that overall this track is pretty experimental, especially in the rhythmic department, where Remy's Memorymoog provides strange, clicking arpeggios. Interesting stuff. EM2 (aka Gert Emmens and Embrase) serve us with a dessert in the form of "Where Two Worlds Meet" - a gently sequency piece with all necessary ingredients to make it a top-notch EM number. The sequences are simply stunning, as are the melodies. Basically, this track is what you'd expect from a combination of Gert's and Marc's individual styles. This is the most melodic track on the entire album. "Analogy 2" concludes with Ron Boots's "Sneak Preview". A preview it may be, but a very spirited one. Great melancholic EM track with expert sequencing. As was the case with the first volume of "Analogy", this compilation features a stunning diversity of styles and approaches, with not a single weak track on it! Two thumbs up to Ron and Kees for making this happen. Also kudos to Ron for great, smooth transitions between the tracks. Now, this is what I call a quality product! Artemi Pugachov / Encyclopedia of Electronic Music