Redshift - Redshift -Remastered- (c) 2006 Distant Sun
Artist....: Redshift
Album.....: Redshift
Type......: Album
Source....: CDDA
Tracks....: 04
Genre.....: Ambient
Label.....: Distant Sun
Catalogue#: DS 008
Encoder...: LAME 3.97
Quality...: VBR kbps / 44.1KHz / Joint-Stereo
URL.......: http://www.discogs.com/release/829270
Tracklist:
----------
01 Redshift 18:44
02 Spin 08:25
03 Shine 04:01
04 Blueshift 33:05
Total:89,6 MB / 64:15 min
Release Notes:
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Remastered by Mark Shreeve in 2006
Original Recording at Distant Sun Studio 1996.
Long awaited by many fans that had missed it first time round, here is
the magnificent first Redshift album reissued in identical artwork
(including the CD graphics) and featuring remastered sound.
Newcomers who know and love Redshift's powerhouse, mesmeric, sequential
style will certainly not be disappointed by this album. What may
surprise them is how much the eponymous opener delves into the sonic
pallete of 'Rubycon'. It's as if Mark Shreeve, delighted my his
recently acquired Moog IIIC, had to get this one out of his system.
There's only one machine that can create this sort of sound, and in
skilled hands it creates EM of unparalleled majesty. This is a great
track in every sense, a true 'Rubycon Part 3'. Sequences pulverise the
soundstage, atmospherics take you to the depths of imagery, and the
awesome choral ending is a sensational summit.
If the first track acknowledges TDs influence on Mark's music, 'Spin'
perhaps is a similar nod in the direction of Node. Node's infamous EMMA
appearance in 1994 did much to galvanise the re-emerging "retro
movement" and the sheer purity of seeing guys grappling with massive
modular beasts again may well be part of the catalyst for Redshift
being born in the first place. Certainly 'Spin' displays an edginess
and restrained purity which is a trademark of much of Ed Buller's
sequence work. At only 4 mins long 'Shine' wastes no time in presenting
a bass sequence which will challenge even the most capable subwoofers.
This track really is a "pocket battleship" laying waste to all which
challenge its diminutive stature. The melodic refrains add lustre to an
amazing piece.
Arguably the jewel in the crown, and the pointer to the magnificent
crop of albums Redshift were to subsequently release, comes with the
epic final piece 'Blueshift'. This could have been released 10 years or
10 mins ago. It would sit comfortably on any Redshift album, and
displays the very essence of what the band strive for - energy, power,
raw emotion really. The sequences provide the sonic framework,
atmospherics toy with the ear, and synth lines cut through the
soundstage portraying a range of emotions from spiteful to whimsical.
The "sting in the tail" of this album was, and perhaps still is, rather
strange and a bit controversial. Though 'Blueshift' clocks in at over
30 minutes, the main meat of the track is only 20 minutes. What follows
is just over 10 minutes of a throbbing heart-beat type sound, followed
by a short "wake up" ending. On the reissue this ending is indexed as a
separate track, hence why there are 5 tracks not 4. This rather strange
ending has been the topic of some debate, and some people even returned
the CD first time round thinking it was a mispress! Anyway, just in
case you don't know, it's designed to mimic a situation perhaps
familiar to many. Falling asleep while listening to something at "full
tilt" volume, then being jolted awake some time later as (for example)
the tape rewound to the beginning again hitting you with a fulsome
crescendo!
In terms of the remastered aspect, other than the extra index point,
the most notable difference is the volume has been normalised higher
for the reissue. I suspect there has been some digital noise removal
employed too. Either way it sounds fantastic, as did the original. If
you haven't got it, buy it. Simple as that.
Will there be other reissues? I would have thought the clamour for
'Ether' would be even greater, yet strangely the band say that
enquiries about Redshift II are too few in number to justify a reissue.
If you are surprised by this, I suggest you do a bit of googling and
email the band! (GG)
-Review by SMD (www.synthmusicdirect.com)
Founded in 1996 by Mark Shreeve, the band's lineup currently consists
of Mark Shreeve, Julian Shreeve, and James Goddard. Rob Jenkins, a band
member for most of the group's existence, left prior to their seventh
album Redshift VII - Oblivion. The band's style ranges from Berlin
School to dark ambient. Their sound is largely dependent upon older
synthesiser technology, notably instruments such as the Moog 3C, which
they combine with more recent digital technology.
Electronic music (or the "EM factor"), which bases its major structure
from the Berlin-school high classic achievement and, mostly, from the
typical grandly considered artists of the genre, such as TANGERINE
DREAM, SCHULZE and ASHRA, continues a long way into the modern and
contemporary phase (and distractions), with a lot of particular changes
and new-waves, but mostly with a good definition of synthesizing and
ambientizing spiriting up the electronic art and also with solid
attitudes of music and composition, that resemble the most evolved,
persistant or popular adapted such electronic definitions. REDSHIFT can
be considered, with all its Berlin-synthasy, neo-sound and dark
ambiance, a band of modern sound and high common groove, having,
nevertheless, a deep dish of influences and music arrangements, within
the classic or modified electronic ideas and movements.