1.Synthetic nature [7:53]

2.In memory of humanity [15:50]

3.Initial timeline [6:11]*

4.Mysterious discovery [15:56]

5.Navigate [11:38]

6.Everglades [6:34]

7.Meadow [9:38]

..Sferen van het oude TD stromen uit je luidsprekers. Eigen composities, maar wel duidelijk hoorbaar geënt op klanken en ritmes van 20 jaar geleden. De instrumentbeheersing van Ruud en René is prima, op een klein speelfoutje her of der na. De composities zijn niet echt spectaculair, maar wel goed te volgen voor de luisteraar. De dynamiek is beschaafd: er zitten nergens echt rustige passages in, maar er is voldoende variatie. En de Sequencers? Die doen wat ze moeten doen: je hart sneller laten kloppen! ALs liefhebber van electronische muziek uit de Berliner Schule heb ik deze patchwork dan ook met veel plezier een aantal keren gedraaid, en ik kan niet anders zeggen: een zeer geslaagde CD !

Oooohhhhh yes, what a find ,what a cracker, 70 odd minutes of forceful EM - kicking off with "Synthetic Nature" (7.53) full of eastern promise with loads happening in the mix leading into an epic 15.50 minute track called "In Memory Of Humanity"  - a gorgeous slow build with thoughtful melodies reminiscent of the great "Canyon Dreams" style of EM. As the track moves on we then get sequencer, flowing Red Shift type rhythms with Oldfield thrown in. Track 3 "Initial Timeline"(6.11) slows the pace down   somewhat with unique, exotic rhythms until the pacey sequencer  build up recommences. My own personal favourite track "Mysterious  Discovery" (15.56) is another epic, dare I say it, Tangerine Dream  influenced track. It has a timeless musical quality to it with luscious string synths with plenty of melodic and rhythmic changes - a full sound. Track 5 "Navigate" is full throttle EM with beautiful melodic synth lines. In contrast "Everglades" is, as the title suggests, swampy synth - slow, mysterious and deep. The final track "Meadow"is a fitting end to the disc - a great melodic, themic sound picture augmented with the noise of a train passing by.

Whenever you see wall-to-wall modular splashed on the cover of a CD it does raise expectations. It almost pre-suggests the approach, but you never quite know the angle. Will it be wall-to-wall sequencing, analogue textures, a mixture of both perhaps?

The artists behind Patchwork are Rene Jansen and Ruud Heij and they get immediately into their stride with ‘Synthetic Nature’. Robust sequencing brings to mind Synco, and the percussive detail nods in the direction of Wavestar. The 8 minute track takes a time-out at the 5 minute mark to present tropical rainforest effects with well judges synth motifs. An grandiose and effective way to end a more than satisfactory opening.

Two tracks weigh in just under the 16 minute mark, and the first of these is ‘In Memory of Humanity’. A strange mix of voice samples, analogue textures and general electronic burbling occupy the opening salvos. Slowly a sequence begins to take shape - initially just a random set of bass notes however the entrance of percussion marshals them into shape. The synth layers are particularly well handled - not overpowering, yet so full

of variety and interest. Generally it’s slow, moody stuff however the atmospherics at the 5 minute mark are akin to light breaking through the clouds. A classic sequence then takes over, and by now fans of Synco in ‘85 to ‘89 form will be well pleased with their purchase. Plentiful helpings of Berlin School pulsations are served up to the 12 minute mark before a delightful melodic cameo is developed to bring the track to a close.

‘Initial Timeline’ starts with a tribal gathering before bass laden textures engulf the soundstage, allowing a sequence to take shape and drive the piece forward. Flutey synths add detail, and the occasional chord change reinforces that this music charts the slightly more contemporary end of sequential wall territory.

At 15:56 ‘Mysterious Discovery’ is the longest piece. Bass resonances underpin a rudimentary sequence which is soon fleshed out to form a rhythmic backbone. The sequence changes little for 5 minutes producing a hypnotic effect before atmospherics occupy the mid section. A door opens and closes, footsteps run between the speakers, then vocoder effects bridge to the start of the second sequential run. String synths provide lush accompaniment and spoken samples produce a superb mesmeric collage, complemented by expertly formed synth themes.

‘Navigate’ opens with more synth lushness before another choice sequence crashes into focus. Plenty of layers are available for perusal, and the percussion sharpens everything up to perfection. Listen out for the way the sequence is deconstructed then jump started in the closing moments. I’m sure this 11 minute gem will find it’s way into many people’s personal favourite selection. It does have plenty of competition though, not least the closing brace.

This is definitely one for sequencer fans, especially those with a penchant for the likes of Synco’s ‘85 to ‘89 album. Classic timbres and pulsations aplenty, this should be on any discerning EM fan’s shopping list.

Patchwork is the musical outing of Dutchmen René Janssen and Ruud Heij. Their piece "Flight Over Kimberley Plateau" on the "Movements"-sampler from Quantum caught my attention because of the great sequencer-pattern. Well, this complete CD-R is filled with these sequences and sometimes they are to lick you fingers off. Already the cover will attract the lovers of the Berliner Schule-type of electronic music. Tracks like "Synthetic Nature", "Navigate" and "Meadow" have superb sequencer-patterns and fine melody- and leadlines but my personal favorite is "Mysterious Discovery". This is a really fantastic track: one of the best I've heard in a long time (and believe me: I hear a lot of electronic music). It has everything: great sequencerlines, strong melodies, fine sounds (the Wavestation, my favorite synth, is featured in the second part) and nice effects. The first part could be a lost track from Klaus Schulze's "Historic Edition". Big talents

Wäre da nicht das sehr technisch gestaltete CD-Cover, der etwas einfallslose Gruppenname „Patchwork" würde eher Assoziationen an die bieder gestrickte Musik der Kelly Family wecken, und weniger ein Werk solider Elektronik erwarten lassen. Denn das vorliegende Album ist bei weitem mehr, als nur eine zusammengewürfelte Flickenarbeit, die aus bunten Elektronikstücken mit der heißen Nadel zusammengefügt wurde.

Bestehen tut diese holländische Formation aus den beiden Musikern Rene´ Jansen und Ruud Heij, die mit dem vorliegendem Album ihr eindrucksvolles Debüt vorlegen.

Stilistisch kann diese CD in die Folge früher Werke von Software, wie „Phancyful Fire", „Chip Meditation", „Electronic Universe" oder „Syn Code" eingereiht werden. Gemächlich dahinfließende, und doch ausdruckstarke Sequenzer-Passagen im 80er Jahre-Gewand, gepaart mit tiefgängig bildhaften Arrangements, die unweigerlich zum genauen Hinhören auffordern und den Hörer in ihren Bann ziehen.

Dabei hinterläßt das Album in seiner Gesamtheit einen beinahe konzeptionellen Eindruck. Als würden Jansen und Heij in einem Rahmen von ca. 70 Minuten eine musikalische Geschichte erzählen, die sich über mehrere „Kapitel" erstreckt, in dem 11-minütigen „Navigate" ihren unbestrittenen Höhepunkt findet und mit den beiden folgenden Stücken „Everglades" bzw. „Meadow" behutsam zum Ende gelangt. Nicht zuletzt durch das konsequent gleichbleibende Tempo und den ausgesuchten Stilmitteln bleibt über die gesamte Spiellänge stets ein roter Faden erkennbar. Die 7 gefühlvollen Titel ergeben ein harmonisches Ganzes und setzen mit treibender Kraft sowie spannungsreicher Tiefe intensive Bilder im Kopf des Hörers frei.

Patchwork ist mit diesem Debut zweifellos ein kleines Meisterwerk gelungen. Stimmungsvoll, in sich geschlossen und atmosphärisch dicht. Ein reifes und erlesenes Werk, dem nichts mehr hinzuzufügen ist. Bleibt zu hoffen, daß dieses Kleinod elektronischer Kreationen keine Eintagsfliege war und uns dieses besondere Duo eine würdige Nachfolge-CD bescheren wird