Two reissues by the krautrock legend Rolf Trostel
Rolf Trostel is a protagonist of the so-called Berliner Schule / Berlin School (Tangerine Dream, Klaus Schulze). On his first album “Inselmusik” (1981) 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. “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 a soundcard or digital synthesizer. The version which featured in the PPG Wave Computer 360 was puristic, to say the least.
On his second album, “Der Prophet”, 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 syncable sequencers.
Resease Dates:
Inselmusik. Reissue from 1981. CD, vinyl, digital. Out August 5, 2016
Der Prophet. Reissue from 1982. CD, vinyl, digital. Out August 5, 2016
Source: Bureau B
