TRESPASSER

Nobody can deny Norway's Terje Winther's abilities to construct enticing electronic melodies and their respective well threaded arrangements.

"Trespasser", 2004, has many extraordinary sections and some conscious use of his direct influences. Take as an example its first track "The City Of Cruithne" an implosion of diverse routes in constant mutation, yet somewhere along the way he blends in J.M. Jarre's super famous Oxygene riff, and plays along with it for a while and then moves to some other more personal stuff and then again invites an Edgar Froese like simulation or Schulze's, yet returning to his classicaly trained musical language. In some way these brushes with alien electronic languages in this piece sound more like hommages than rip-offs. 4 stars.

Track 2 ,"Wishful Drone Around Midnight" is experimental, obscure and in the sacred music tone. It holds some surprises yet it does not grow outside itself, thus not that memorable but truly enjoyable almost all way through. 3 stars.

"Waiting for the Next Wave", track 3, makes its way through, sequenced counterpointings. Although it is fairly impossible not to be reminded of T.D. it at the same time shows how to handle these Berlin School's canons without resembling T.D., which reminds me a lot of Mother Mallard's Portable Masterpiece Company's ability to do the same. A very good track with some great sections although it runs out of original "creative" gas somewhere along its way. 3.5 stars.

Anyway talking about running, "Running Through The Edge", track 4 and the longest one, arises in the symphonic electronics mode like overture to pay another kindly hommage to Jarre's musical idiom. I guess he made quiet an impression on Terje Winther's personal soundtrack. It takes a while for the piece to become more personal, it does eventually, in the form of, first time appearance of electronic/box/drums and some Jazz like crying moog soloing, they add something, yet the awaited highlight just never really shows. 3 stars.

"Essinc" track 6. As soon as this composition starts you will be reminded, again, of the highly intoxicating and addictive TANGERINE DREAM's fumes. The track offers, in the middle of these aromas, some very personal touches which could have been exploited in favour of personal expression, yet the comfort zone, is just too comfortable. 3.5 stars.

This release closes with "Jumpgate Shore". Stripped down electronics, suggesting an inconclusive and nostalgic melody line among some synth-laser shot gun's sounds and detached noises. By far the most Terje Winther's signed only piece in this release, yet overlooked probably in the delirious T.D. fever. 3.5 stars.

Promising due to his somehow self-overshadowed, but very good ideas and as to see if he overcomes the common flu.

***3.5 PA stars.