Qluster - Echzeit

by Keith How

published: 21 / 2 / 2016

Label: Bureau B
Format: CD

Magical new set of material on sixth album from pioneering electronic masters, Qluster

Review

We have all grown older with the legendary Kluster then Cluster and now, since 2010, Qluster who continue under the guiding hands of Hans-Joachim Roedelius and Dieter Moebius, whose names are engraved into the history of electronic music. There is no resting on their laurels for these pioneers of electronica though. This is the sixth release in the form that now takes the name Qluster. Anyone expecting a departure from their tried and tested formula need to look elsewhere. 2015's 'Tasten' was piano based and, while the piano is featured heavily here, this new ten track offering finds us back in electronic territory. What we have here is an elegant, mature and restrained offering. The old hands move in a contemplative manner. 'Beste Freunde' has a minimal piano enhanced by graceful synthesizers that easily evokes an emotional response, and 'Glasperlenspiel' is a delicate thing not a million miles away from Icelandic experimentalists Ammina’s shimmering soundscapes. Just occasionally there is a glance over the shoulder to those pulses and beats that typify the brooding Berlin soundscapes of old ('Das Seltsame Tier aus dem Norden'), but on the whole this is an atmospheric and restful album. There is, however, plenty here to keep the listener curious. 'Glasperlenspiel' echoes 'Films'-era Eno with drifting synthesizers and the deftest of electronic touches to enhance the ambience, so there is plenty of time to allow the music to beguile and intrigue you. 'Echzeit' is a fine record evoking memories of the classic 'Cluster and Eno' while having two feet firmly planted in 2016.

Track Listing:-

1 Stein auf Stein
2 Beste Freunde
3 Verweile doch
4 Von weiter Ferne ganz nah
5 Glasperlenspiel
6 Zweites Kapitel
7 Das seltsame Tier aus dem Norden
8 Auf der Lichtung
9 Weg am Hang
10 In deinen Händen