This double compilation CD is the last release of Aikaze's music by SynGate. The label decided to focus on one style. The uptempo track Freewheeler features some new instruments, such as the famous Minimoog.

INSTRUMENTATION

Alesis A-6, Korg Triton HD, Minimoog, Solina String-Ensemble, Waldorf MicroWave XTk-30, Yamaha CS-6x.

The tenth album was inspired by happy (blue sky) events after I was forced to leave the prosperous business I had built up with blood, sweat and tears. 'Twist of fate’ was co-composed by Lambert Ringlage. All tracks were recorded at home in Utrecht from 29 October 2013 to 23 November 2014. ‘Twist of fate’ was partly recorded at home in high places in Amsterdam in 1994. The strings, bass and effects on ‘Heart to heart’ were recorded in 2004 and the guitar parts in 2008 after my second cat died in my arms with a pounding heartbeat.

INSTRUMENTATION

New instruments: Dave Smith Prophet 12; Korg Kronos X; Kurzweil PC-3 K6 (harp glissandi); Moog Dual VCO (percussion on 'Laep of faith'); PPG Wave 2.3; Synton Fénix 2 (first sound effect on 'Rebound'); Korg Kronos X, Korg Wavedrum Global Edition (snare and conga); Alhambra 3-C CW E-1 nylon string guitar and Ibanez Gio GSR-180 bass guitar.

All tracks were recorded, edited and mastered at home in high places in Utrecht, The Netherlands from 1 April 2018 to 20 April 2019. ´Echolalia´ was inspired by the story of Echo, retold by Stephen Fry in his book ´Mythos´. It was the last piece I recorded for this album and I dedicate it to everyone who helped me survive to record it.

INSTRUMENTATION

Mixed and engineered by Pepijn Courant on Tascam SX-1 and DM-3200 digital mixers and a Soundcraft EFX-12 analogue mixer. Synthesizers: Alesis Andromeda A-6; Analogue Systems Integrator RS-8500, Apprentice; Arturia MatrixBrute; Dave Smith OB-6, Prophet 12; Ensoniq
SQ-80; Eurorack 8000; Korg Arp Odyssey, Kronos X, MS-10, T-3 EX;
Moog Minimoog, Taurus 3; Roland System 500; Synton Fénix 2; The Human Comparator 2600 Mini Meanie; Theis Modular Synthesizer System
Keyboards: Generalmusic Promega 3; Korg Sigma, VC-10; Roland VP-03; Solina String-Ensemble Samplers: Akai MPC-4000; E-mu E-4 XT Ultra Electronic drums: Cyclone Analogic TT-78; Intellijel Plonk; Korg KR-55 Sequencers: Akai MPC-2500, 4000; Analogue Systems RS-200;
Anyware Inseqt; MatrixBrute; OB-6; E-4 XT Ultra; SQ-80; Kronos X, T-3 EX; Fénix 2; SX-1; Winter Modular Eloquencer Acoustic percussion: riq,
bar chimes, sleigh bells; bongos; dumbek, tambourine, jingle stick
Electric guitar: Line 6 Variax 700 Mandolin: Harley Benton MA-50E
Sitar: G. Rosul Voices: Synthesis Technology E-95, Eric Persing;
Pepijn Courant

This music was inspired by the events that took place in the twentieth century, in particular in Eastern Europe, where communism had collapsed at the end of the eighties. The visionary poems by William Blake had a significant influence on this cassette, which showed an optimistic view on the world. This cassette was well received on BRT 2 radio show “Maneuvers in het donker”, presented by Flor Berkenbosch.

The prestigious project “Fantasmagora”, using many of his oldest compositions. The music had a classical, symphonic rather than cosmic touch. Musical inspirers were, among others, Pink Floyd and Mike Oldfield and the music was based on acoustic instrument samples with a leading part for Pepijn’s first instrument, the piano.

The title refers to Hoogoord, the name of the building in south-east Amsterdam were Pepijn Courant then lived. This CD, as all music by Akikaze, was recorded at home and was mainly inspired by mankind’s great achievements such as the conquest of the moon and the climb of the Mount Everest. The guitar parts were performed by guitarist Dirk Zeeman, a blues musician, who appeared on a CD for the first time. 'In high places' sold well, certainly by today’s standards.

Aquarius - 4 copies left
In high places - in stock
Fantasmagora - in stock
The Collective Vol. 2 - 1 copy
Land, Sea end Sky - 1 copy
Conflicting emotions - 1 Quantum Productions copy
Blue Sky Events - 1 Criminal records copy

Disorders - unlimited stock at major online stores and directly from me as digital 24 bit audio files. Please contact me to order.

In the studio version the Voder (Voice Operated Demonstrator), an effect algorithm developed for the Ensoniq ASR-10 sampler by the American Bill Mauchly, simulating speech sounds in a simple and flexible way, is commercially used for the first time. The piece was released on the CDR “Conflicting emotions” by Quantum Records in 1999. This CD is again based on a concept, this time spiritual balance, and voice sounds are being used predominantly.