“As the US retire each of their space going shuttles it appears that exiting the stratosphere is more difficult than ever. Yet there is one pilot who still makes aural excursions into the cosmos, Roland Sebastian Faber. Since the beginning of Aube Records RSF has been serving up his brand of analogue astronomy, creating lush interplanetary sounds and otherworldly vistas. The French voyager, across three 12”s, has introduced listeners to his astral world; one of deep electronic tones, cosmic undercurrents and 70s electro disco passion. Once more this Moog veteran is setting off on a journey into the synthesizer stars, this time with the three tracker e.p. ‘Gegen den Strom‘.
“Society” opens the 12” with a rumbling galaxy of analogue sounds. The track sees RSF pooling together a catalogue of synthesizer arpeggios and arrangements to create a cascading work. The beats are friendly to the turntable zealot, a perfect accompaniment to other space disco gems from Automan all the way to Xenon. Flip over for the gradual building arches of “Gegenstrom.” The mood is classic RSF, cerebral and celestial. The track has a good tempo but it is the swirling nebula of guitar strings that capture the listener in this heady piece, taking them ever further into the beyond. The finale comes in the form of “Renaissance.” RSF opens the bay doors to give a full and awesome view of his synthesizer cosmos. A wonderful track that echoes with orchestral grandeur and soundtrack memories. Sitting proud beside Vangelis or Tangerine Dream any day. An epic and mesmerising piece.
To round off the whole experience is the breathtaking artwork of Emil Schult, a perfect finish to this breathtaking record. Sit back, strap on your headphones and let Roland Sebastian Faber take you through the corridors of gaseous giants, solar flares and into his own analogue astral plain.”
Cover Design by the excellent DESIGNER’S KONFEKT. Thank you Anna & Holger.
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Gegenstrom
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Renaissance
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Released by: aube records
Release/catalogue number: aube012
Aube Records are looking back to their first steps as a label. After a gap of ten excellent releases the Düsseldorf imprint is back with the Don of Italo, Fred Ventura, to add his unmistakable voice to ‘Without You’ by Alba.
Modern italo synth is the aim of the game. Using vintage machines Alba create a contemporary twist to Rimini disco, with deep analogue bars and catchy beats swirling around the irrepressible vocals of Fred Ventura. Described by Mr Ventura as “germanitalodisco”. It merges elements of the two sounds into something new. Italo with a German accent, as Fred calls it.”. In true italo form the b-side is dedicated to a dub version of the original, with scaled back vocals and more focus on those pioneering synthesizers. The release goes retrospective full circle with cult 80s artist Syd Brak. Thank you Syd!
“It is rare to see such retrospective production today. Alba use the original analogue machines, stay true to the original sound, and, have the original voice to make something that is both sensitive to the past and new to the ear.” Italy meets Germany. 2011 meets 1984. And, Fred Ventura reunited with Aube.
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Dub Version
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G. e. M. DE ANGELIS – The Destruction Of New York (Kangaroo Team 1983)
WHIZZ!! – Do You Hear Me (Pye records 1978)
ALBA – Philomena Part 1 (AUBE 2010)
OCEAN GHERY – Gulliver (Man Records – 1987)
INIFINITY NIGHT – Valerie (UNRELEASED)
BRYAN DALMINI – Can You Tell Me (Sensation records 1984)
WHIZZ – We Are Not Alone (CBS 1979)
CASIONOVA – Shoreham Harbour Blues (ALI RENAULT REMIX) 2008
STEVE EDEN & PAUL JAMES – Memories Emotions (Crash 1985)
SALENTINO – You’ll Be In Paradise (REAL SOUND 1985)
ALDEN TYRELL feat. FRED VENTURA – tba (UNRELEASED)
DEAN AND DANIELLE – Victoria (Famous Music 1985)
MIRKO HIRSCH – Best Of Friends (Delivery Records 2010)
DUE – Come On Rap (Patto records 1987)
GABE CATANZARO feat Tobias B. – Monster In The Dark (Sauroid 2010)
MASSIMO VITA – Jenny (C & C Productions 1985)
STEFANIA ROTOLO – Spaccotutto (Italian RCA 1978)
Is the world ready for germanitalodisco? Alba feat. the unstoppable Fred Ventura. Art by Mr. Syd Brak. thank you Syd! Out soon.
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Up until now, Alba have been skirting the edges of Aube. With their remix of The Fascination Movement’s “Down Again” the triumvirate of Roland Sebastian Faber, Keen K and Label Owner Michael Künzer cut their Alba teeth. Such a team, ranging from labels like Clone, Das Drehmoment and Viewlexx, can only be described as formidable. Finally, Alba have managed to bridge the gap of their various European bases and produce an EP, ‘Philomena.’
The 12”, titled after Künzer’s one year old daughter, contains three tracks; Philomena 1-3. Each track has a different twist to it, showcasing what the able electronic Alba are capable of. “Philomena 1” is a cosmic synth fuelled work. The track has the energy of Explorer alongside a warbling analogue line with some vocoder additions to boot. Another element is added to the mix when some Faber style space lands in the latter stage of the track. “Philomena 2” sees a change in tone. This time the beats are lowered as a downtempo air arrives. Embedded in the analogue swirl and soft beats are gentle rising vocals. There is a electro boogie within the bars of this piece, but it is the electronic depth that rings true. The final instalment, “Philomena 3” keeps the heavy synthesizer sound going. The track is a keyboard day dream, a medley of notes rising and falling with an epic Vangelis undertone running throughout. Warm female vocals cascade into the frame, with notes shifting within the synthesizer sphere of sound.
‘Philomena’ sees Aube undertake a project of diverse styles. Cosmic synth, laid back electronics and a analogue soundtrack piece. Three highly talented artists coming together for three tracks. If that isn’t exciting for the world of electronics what is?
Limited Vinyl edition, high quality 180 gram vinyl. Artwork by the legendary Charles Bals.
philomena-part-I
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philomena-part-II
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philomena-part-III
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February 2010 and Roland Sebastian Faber is back at last with another slice of his trademark expansive and filmic kosmische musik on the Gropiusstadt EP (aube009).
As usual RSF brings his unique blend of the mechanical woven in perfect unison with the psychedelic as drum machines and sequencers intertwine into space along side guitars and soulful vocals.
The whole 3 track EP is sounding like a lost TATORT gem from the late 70s. A soundtrack of the early hours in a lonely grey concrete Berlin.
Comes in premium packaging with cover illustration from Emil Schult (Kraftwerk) and 180 gram vinyl pressed with the highest analog perfection.
