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12"
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ORKL 011EP
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Die Orakel presents two Edward reinterpretations of new age-ambient excursions by German composer Rolf Trostel, originally recorded in 1982.
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CD
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BB 231CD
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Bureau B present a reissue of Rolf Trostel's second album Two Faces, originally released in 1982. While Inselmusik (BB 230CD/LP), released the previous year, was intended as a basis for live performance, Trostel composed and produced the five instrumental tracks on Two Faces exclusively for this album. The music is clearly a product of the Berlin School, yet it is more sophisticated and varied than its predecessor. Some new additions to Trostel's instrument collection are audible. While on its predecessor the still novel strains of the PPG Wave Computer 360 A and its associated sequencer were augmented only by a Roland CR-78 CompuRhythm drum machine, resulting in a fairly puristic sound, the sonic pallet on Two Faces is enhanced by the Minimoog solo synthesizer and a string synth. The CR-78 is considered the first programmable drum machine and can be heard clearly, for example, on Phil Collins's hit "In the Air Tonight" or during the intro of the album version of Blondie's "Heart of Glass". But on Two Faces Trostel uses its potentially assertive sounds relatively modestly and often in the background - surely so as not to steal the show from the wavetable sounds. As with Inselmusik, Two Faces uses numerous synth runs that harness the possibilities of PPG 350 Computer Sequencer, which are layered to complement each other and often also define the chord progressions and song structure. The digital PPG sequencer offered some innovative features for this: The musician could invert the notes of a sequence with the press of a button or use the keyboard to transpose the sequence either at the end of each note or each loop. Of course, in addition to the PPG 360 Wave Computer A, it could also be used to control analog synthesizers. Synchronizing with tape machines was also not a problem. In comparison to Inselmusik, Rolf Trostel himself felt that Two Faces was more versatile and aggressive and "away from the idea of meditation, but without entirely abandoning contemplative structures." The first edition of this self-produced long player amounted to 2000 copies, which Trostel distributed himself.
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Artist |
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LP
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BB 231LP
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LP version. Bureau B present a reissue of Rolf Trostel's second album Two Faces, originally released in 1982. While Inselmusik (BB 230CD/LP), released the previous year, was intended as a basis for live performance, Trostel composed and produced the five instrumental tracks on Two Faces exclusively for this album. The music is clearly a product of the Berlin School, yet it is more sophisticated and varied than its predecessor. Some new additions to Trostel's instrument collection are audible. While on its predecessor the still novel strains of the PPG Wave Computer 360 A and its associated sequencer were augmented only by a Roland CR-78 CompuRhythm drum machine, resulting in a fairly puristic sound, the sonic pallet on Two Faces is enhanced by the Minimoog solo synthesizer and a string synth. The CR-78 is considered the first programmable drum machine and can be heard clearly, for example, on Phil Collins's hit "In the Air Tonight" or during the intro of the album version of Blondie's "Heart of Glass". But on Two Faces Trostel uses its potentially assertive sounds relatively modestly and often in the background - surely so as not to steal the show from the wavetable sounds. As with Inselmusik, Two Faces uses numerous synth runs that harness the possibilities of PPG 350 Computer Sequencer, which are layered to complement each other and often also define the chord progressions and song structure. The digital PPG sequencer offered some innovative features for this: The musician could invert the notes of a sequence with the press of a button or use the keyboard to transpose the sequence either at the end of each note or each loop. Of course, in addition to the PPG 360 Wave Computer A, it could also be used to control analog synthesizers. Synchronizing with tape machines was also not a problem. In comparison to Inselmusik, Rolf Trostel himself felt that Two Faces was more versatile and aggressive and "away from the idea of meditation, but without entirely abandoning contemplative structures." The first edition of this self-produced long player amounted to 2000 copies, which Trostel distributed himself.
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Artist |
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CD
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BB 232CD
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Bureau B reissue Rolf Trostel's Der Prophet (1982). Electronic pop was the musical goal of the Berlin School musician Rolf Trostel on Der Prophet, which was released in the same year as its predecessor Two Faces. Der Prophet is the culmination of this phase of Trostel's oeuvre, which was tightly coupled to the PPG Wave Computer. As on his previous releases, the sonic peculiarities and clanking sounds of wavetable synthesis are emphasized. Yet here they are obviously more interlinked with the rhythm computer, the Minimoog solo synthesizer and the analog string synth. Additionally, Trostel spatially layered the sounds with different amounts of reverb, which gives the sound the necessary depth for electronic pop and especially emphasizes dry effect sounds. Compared to the previous albums, simpler sequencer lines with less layering provide for a more airy sound. The reason for this was the fact that Trostel had now replaced his PPG 350 Computer Sequencer and Roland CR-78 drum machine with the Roland TB-303 bass synth and step sequencer and the TR-808 drum machine. This at-the-time brand new equipment formed a dream team for electronic pop - the machines are now highly coveted and sought-after cult objects among musicians. "With this production, the rhythmic element is at the foreground, specifically the variable programming of drum computer. Der Prophet was my most commercial production," explains Trostel. The album also benefits from the assertive sound of the TB-303/TR-808 combination and their sync-able sequencers. By 1981, Trostel was no longer using the PPG Wave Computer 360 A as a spearhead to explore new soundscapes. It had been replaced by more modern developments. Wolfgang Palm, the developer of this synthesizer and inventor of wavetable synthesis, presented the PPG Wave 2 with integrated analog filters, which quickly became a best seller and was further developed until 1984 with the PPG Wave 2.3. It was a mainstay in every professional keyboardist's setup during the 1980s. In parallel, the functions of sampling, phase and frequency modulation became increasingly important for sound tinkerers. In retrospect, one gets the impression that Trostel's enormously productive creative period, during which he released three albums within two years, was triggered by the PPG 360 A Wave Computer and the PPG 350 Computer Sequencer and concluded when they became obsolete. To a certain extent, these instruments channeled and conveyed Trostel's classical piano training.
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Artist |
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Catalog # |
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LP
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BB 232LP
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LP version. Bureau B reissue Rolf Trostel's Der Prophet (1982). Electronic pop was the musical goal of the Berlin School musician Rolf Trostel on Der Prophet, which was released in the same year as its predecessor Two Faces. Der Prophet is the culmination of this phase of Trostel's oeuvre, which was tightly coupled to the PPG Wave Computer. As on his previous releases, the sonic peculiarities and clanking sounds of wavetable synthesis are emphasized. Yet here they are obviously more interlinked with the rhythm computer, the Minimoog solo synthesizer and the analog string synth. Additionally, Trostel spatially layered the sounds with different amounts of reverb, which gives the sound the necessary depth for electronic pop and especially emphasizes dry effect sounds. Compared to the previous albums, simpler sequencer lines with less layering provide for a more airy sound. The reason for this was the fact that Trostel had now replaced his PPG 350 Computer Sequencer and Roland CR-78 drum machine with the Roland TB-303 bass synth and step sequencer and the TR-808 drum machine. This at-the-time brand new equipment formed a dream team for electronic pop - the machines are now highly coveted and sought-after cult objects among musicians. "With this production, the rhythmic element is at the foreground, specifically the variable programming of drum computer. Der Prophet was my most commercial production," explains Trostel. The album also benefits from the assertive sound of the TB-303/TR-808 combination and their sync-able sequencers. By 1981, Trostel was no longer using the PPG Wave Computer 360 A as a spearhead to explore new soundscapes. It had been replaced by more modern developments. Wolfgang Palm, the developer of this synthesizer and inventor of wavetable synthesis, presented the PPG Wave 2 with integrated analog filters, which quickly became a best seller and was further developed until 1984 with the PPG Wave 2.3. It was a mainstay in every professional keyboardist's setup during the 1980s. In parallel, the functions of sampling, phase and frequency modulation became increasingly important for sound tinkerers. In retrospect, one gets the impression that Trostel's enormously productive creative period, during which he released three albums within two years, was triggered by the PPG 360 A Wave Computer and the PPG 350 Computer Sequencer and concluded when they became obsolete. To a certain extent, these instruments channeled and conveyed Trostel's classical piano training.
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Artist |
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Catalog # |
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CD
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BB 230CD
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Bureau B reissue Rolf Trostel's Inselmusik (1981). Rolf Trostel is a protagonist of the so-called Berliner Schule, or Berlin School (Tangerine Dream, Klaus Schulze). On his first album Inselmusik, he explores the sonic possibilities of the recently introduced PPG wavetable synthesizer. The music is based on live performances from the late 1970s by Trostel and Krautrock guitarist Günter Schickert. Formally speaking, Inselmusik is a demonstration of the PPG Wave Computer 360, a synthesizer. Rolf Trostel had worked briefly as a distributor for the manufacturer, affording him ample opportunity to play the instrument for presentation purposes. In terms of content, Inselmusik is minimalist, meditative and contemplative music, enriched with remarkable choral sounds, flutes and effects. Overlapping sequencer lines and dominant expanses with feel-good harmonies are carried along on calm, soothing beats. Trostel described his music at the time as "Klangfarbenkompositionen" - tonal, textural compositions. Wavetable synthesis is commonplace now - in considerably advanced form - and integrated in many soundcards or digital synthesizers. The version which featured in the PPG Wave Computer 360 was purist, to say the least. The clanging tones it created could be harsh or brittle at times. This highly distinctive sound, particularly in combination with the charming Roland CR-78 CompuRhythm drum machine amounted to a real surprise package back then. The latter's mighty kick has stood the test of time, sounding no less powerful today. Our ears have long since grown used to digital sounds and patterns crafted with wavetable technology. But the filterless, purist methodology deployed here serves to emphasize the work's unique sonic qualities. Inselmusik thus allows us to grasp just how astonishing these often raucous sounds must have seemed when first unleashed. Trostel's early releases have legitimately assumed the status of valuable contemporary documents, rarities amongst the few albums which illustrate how the sonic pioneer of wavetable synthesis played such a fundamental role in sonic development; Rolf Trostel recorded Inselmusik exclusively with this very synthesizer, a corresponding sequencer and CR-78 drum computer in his own home studio. The original pressing of 1000 LPs sold out in no time, encouraging Trostel to continue.
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Artist |
Title |
Format |
Label |
Catalog # |
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LP
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BB 230LP
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LP version. Bureau B reissue Rolf Trostel's Inselmusik (1981). Rolf Trostel is a protagonist of the so-called Berliner Schule, or Berlin School (Tangerine Dream, Klaus Schulze). On his first album Inselmusik, he explores the sonic possibilities of the recently introduced PPG wavetable synthesizer. The music is based on live performances from the late 1970s by Trostel and Krautrock guitarist Günter Schickert. Formally speaking, Inselmusik is a demonstration of the PPG Wave Computer 360, a synthesizer. Rolf Trostel had worked briefly as a distributor for the manufacturer, affording him ample opportunity to play the instrument for presentation purposes. In terms of content, Inselmusik is minimalist, meditative and contemplative music, enriched with remarkable choral sounds, flutes and effects. Overlapping sequencer lines and dominant expanses with feel-good harmonies are carried along on calm, soothing beats. Trostel described his music at the time as "Klangfarbenkompositionen" - tonal, textural compositions. Wavetable synthesis is commonplace now - in considerably advanced form - and integrated in many soundcards or digital synthesizers. The version which featured in the PPG Wave Computer 360 was purist, to say the least. The clanging tones it created could be harsh or brittle at times. This highly distinctive sound, particularly in combination with the charming Roland CR-78 CompuRhythm drum machine amounted to a real surprise package back then. The latter's mighty kick has stood the test of time, sounding no less powerful today. Our ears have long since grown used to digital sounds and patterns crafted with wavetable technology. But the filterless, purist methodology deployed here serves to emphasize the work's unique sonic qualities. Inselmusik thus allows us to grasp just how astonishing these often raucous sounds must have seemed when first unleashed. Trostel's early releases have legitimately assumed the status of valuable contemporary documents, rarities amongst the few albums which illustrate how the sonic pioneer of wavetable synthesis played such a fundamental role in sonic development; Rolf Trostel recorded Inselmusik exclusively with this very synthesizer, a corresponding sequencer and CR-78 drum computer in his own home studio. The original pressing of 1000 LPs sold out in no time, encouraging Trostel to continue.
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