Spielerei & Mantacoup - wichman and other pieces

The Wichman Concert recorded live on March 13 2004 at Theatre Graff Wichman in Huizen, Holland, as part of the Alfa Centauri EM Festival series.
Last 4 tracks are studio works.

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"Please forgive me if I sound like a broken record as I rave about yet another strong release from the Databloem label. This time kudos goes to label founder Dennis Knopper (Spielerei) and Jeroen Vermeent (Mantacoup). Separately they have had some solid releases; together they are phenomenal. The first seven tracks are The Wichman Concert, and “Part 1” is exceptional. Try to imagine a cross between 1970s Tangerine Dream and current day Biosphere. The pulsating quality is like Ricochet or Encore, but there is a chill factor as well, firmly rooted in modern ambient electronica. The combination is intoxicating. After a subdued “Part 2,” the elixir continues in “Part 3,” as shades of Risky Business blend with Substrata. The result is fresh and exciting. A funky bass line dances along in “Part 4,” a cool unexpected twist. “Part 5” is fully contemporary electronics, with punchy bass that will give your subwoofer a workout. “Part 6” is a bubbly steaming brew of ambient sounds. “Part 7” is a fitting conclusion, the best of the bunch, with a thoroughly infectious rhythm and great sequencing. This is followed by the quietest and most abstract piece, “Followind.” “Sfunato” shucks and jives and shuffles from one cool backbeat and synth sound to another. “Dens” fires a slow steady pulse as fluty synths and other bright sounds float alongside. “Running out of eiszeit” is a slightly quirky but satisfying close to a great CD. "
(Phil Derby)