It seemed Bernd Kistenmacher had retired from electronic music after 2001, having previously comprised most of his privately released music in the 8 CD box-set "My Little Universe".

In 2008 however, rumours said he was working on a possible new album. It eventually ended up in a live concert in October 2009 in Paris (which should be out on DVD soon), followed by the release of "Celestial Movements" CD.

The music fuses rich elements from symphonic music with those of the Berliner School, even containing those expansive trumpet synth pads which Bernd used on his later albums. Things start out highly atmospheric and mysterious on "The Beginning". Next are some experimental edges found at the beginning and end of the second piece "In Face of Saturn", but in between the music is smoothly set in motion with distinct sequencing and expansive pads.

A personal favourite is the 17 minute "Colliding Stars". It nicely moves on in almost free form style, with only a deep bass sequence on the background in the first ten minutes, after which vintage choirs and a repetitive sequence set lead things into a grand design with a few outbursts.

"Eternal Lights" is an emotional track with heavenly choir pads, strings and piano reaching for higher spheres as the pronounced solo voice sets in.

The 19 minute "Living Between Asteroids", sets out with grand organ sounds, but soon shifts into a dance-like track with a string of repetitive sequences and melodic pads plus accompanying beats over which Bernd’s improvises on piano. It sounds like an encore of a concert, but also a bit too much. It starts dragging on as all content is already presented in the first 6 minutes or so. After a short, more pleasant and quiet interlude, the string of music heads towards the end with beats, heavy bass sequences and hovering synth pads known from his latest studio albums,
The finale,"A Celestial Move", comfortably slows things down as it comes as a 3-minute piano exercise topped nicely by beautiful light synth notes.

All in all, the outcome is a contemporary work of electronic music in which Kistenmacher’s signature from the past at times shines through evidently.

Recommended.

"Concerto Pour La Mort D'Un Clown" was the second album (the first was "Cristal" from 1979) from the almost unknown French synthesist, Philippe Guerre. Released on vinyl by a private label in 1981, it will appeal to fans of progressive electronic music.

The music is floating and cosmic, with fluctuating sequences, somewhat comparable to Klaus Schulze and Richard Vimal.

(This is a vinyl rip from my very own collection. The album was never issued on CD and after searching on the net for many years I was unable to get it. It's a very rare electronic gem).

Highly Recommended!

"Bajo Una Tormenta" features spacey and instrumental music. More modern and accessible than the rest of Carlos Guirao's output.

Carlos Guirao is an ex-member and co-founder of the Spanish electronic duo Neuronium. In 1982 he left the project after 5 albums, leaving it on the hands of the other half of the duo, Michel Huygen. That same year, Guirao releases "Revelation", his only solo album until 2008. It sounds a lot like anything Neuronium were doing up to that point. The album has never been released on CD.

In the mid 80's, Guirao gives shape to Programa, another duo that released two albums. Little is known about his recording activities since then; however, in 2008 he returned to activity with the album "Pesadillas De Un Ser Viviente" (which Guirao did not give any promotion to, and distributed through internet for free). For what I could read on internet back then, Guirao was suffering of some kind of disease and was under chemotherapy treatment. Shortly after that, I found a very interesting thread (in spanish) of which the own Carlos takes part of, and unfortunately the rumours are true. Luckily, he's getting better.

During his convalescence, Guirao worked on his third solo album (released just one year after "Pesadillas De Un Ser Viviente"), and its title is an allusion to the conditions under which he had to make it ("Bajo Una Tormenta" means "Under A Storm"). In spite of this, the sound of this album differs from its predecessors.

Thanks to Carlos Guirao for bringing his music unselfishly.

Carlos Guirao is an ex-member and co-founder of the electronic duo Neuronium. In 1982 he left the project after 5 albums, leaving it on the hands of the other half of the duo, Michel Huygen. That same year, Guirao releases "Revelation", his only solo album until 2008. It sounds a lot like anything Neuronium were doing up to that point. The album has never been released on CD.

In the mid 80's, Guirao gives shape to Programa, another duo that released only one album, "Síntesis Digital" (unreleased on CD as well). Little is known about his recording activities since then; however, recently a visitor let me know of his return to activity, and this album is a proof of it. Apparently, Guirao has not given it any publicity, but he's distributing it through internet for free. The picture is not the actual album cover (it does not even have one), but an early 80's Neuronium promo shot. Other (sad) news about him is, for what I could read in some electronic music forums so far, he suffers of some kind of illness and is under chemotherapy treatment.

Lineup:
Carlos Guirao: Keyboards.
Santi Picó: Guitars.
José María Ciria: Drums, percussion, vibraphone (tracks 01, 03, 04, 05)
Manolo Torres: Drums, percussion, effects, vocals (tracks 02 to 04) .

Carlos Guirao is an ex-member and co-founder of the Spanish electronic duo Neuronium. In 1982 he left the project after 5 albums, leaving it on the hands of the other half of the duo, Michel Huygen. That same year, Guirao releases "Revelation", his only solo album until 2008 (Pesadillas De Un Ser Viviente). It sounds a lot like the works Neuronium were doing up to that point.

The album was recorded in Barcelona in March 1982 under the direction of Santi Picó. After that he formed a techno duo called Programa with José Antonio López Ibañez.

Vinyl rip, never issued on CD.

"Irawadi" is the 2nd volume of the Extreme Meditation series by Michel Huygen. A mental and dreamy journey to the ancient cities of Burma, now known as Myanmar. A really special spacey and visual music for any lover of 'mental disconnection'.

If you liked "Angkor" (Extreme Meditation Vol. 1), you will be absolutely 'frozen' by the ultra cosmic music of this CD. This is the logical continuation to Angkor, and if you already got "Angkor", "Irawadi" is a MUST .

For really deep meditation. Deeply evocative music allowing us to travel beyond the boundaries of time and space.

Michel Huygen, known for both his solo albums and as Neuronium, has tackled a new project: the creation of a series of CDs with meditative music inspired by his recent stay in several places with a high spiritual and cultural charisma in Asia, specifically the South-Eastern areas, with Myanmar (Birmania), Cambodia and Thailand as the most remarkable ones. Michel has been regularly visiting these lands for over thirty years, since the difficult days following war and repression, up to the current times, with an improved situation.

The 1st album launched by EM (Extreme Meditation) is called "Angkor" and logically Michel's inspiration stems from the legendary and mystical temple of Angkor Wat, a remarkable reminder of the symbiosis of Man and Nature.

Throughout seven tracks with different acoustic approaches, brimming with calm ambiences and dreamy melodies, the synthesist takes us to a journey into the temple of Angkor as seen through the artist's soul. The lushness of the vegetation, the durability of stone and the oneiric breath exuded by this environment are somehow expressed by the textures of sounds, while the melodies flow slowly into the perception of the audience, as if they were subtle ghosts.

Extremely relaxing music for a very deep relaxation and also mental perception of magical places.

"Mentalia" is an Internet-only release by Michel Huygen (seems to be a limited special fans gift CD). It was released in 2006 featuring 67 min. of relaxing Cosmic/Space music.

There is no other reference about this album besides the official Neuronium/Michel Huygen site.
It features the complete track "Senso" that makes the CD2 from the previous album "Sensorial".

This is an item for collectors of Michel Huygen's discography and the lovers of relaxing Cosmic/Space music.

"Sensorial", is Michel Huygen's 2 CD meditation album with more than 2 hours of music. It was released in 2004.

Recorded digital 24-bit at Studio Neuronium, Barcelona, Spain. Composed, arranged, performed and produced by Michel Huygen. It features the electric guitar by Santi Picó on the track "Senso".

Michel Huygen is a wizard of electronic music and each of his albums is a little miracle. Sometimes he performs as Neuronium, sometimes as Michel Huygen, but the essence of his music is the same. His trademark are long ambiental relaxing compositions with cosmic feelings and very juicy electronic sound. It could remind you the music by Jonn Serrie or Vangelis.

"Sensorial" is the start of a trip with your senses and perceptions. Music to perceive the reality of your being on your planet, the Earth, in relation to the endless Cosmos.

The album consists of 2 CDs and 3 long tracks: CD1 (Percepción Terrestre): 01 "Geomagnética" (31:17), 02 "Neuromagnética" (32:21) and CD2 (Percepción Cósmica): 01 "Senso" (67:06). Compositions are epic but not boring. You could listen to them as to background music or completely relax and flow with tides of cosmic currents created by Michel Huygen. My favourite track is "Senso" with beautiful long guitar solo by former Neuronium member Santi Picó. So if you want to listen to relaxing (and healing) mix of ambient space music and art-rock - this album is your choice.

No doubt that "Sensorial" will appeal to the fans of Michel Huygen's music as well as the lovers of Space Music in general. Enjoy!