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ELECTRONIC-UNIVERSE PART I

Software

Progressive Electronic


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Software Electronic-Universe Part I album cover
3.36 | 10 ratings | 3 reviews | 20% 5 stars

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Studio Album, released in 1985

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Fluting Electronic Universe (19:57)
2. Surfing Saturn (20:32)
3. Dancing Venus (19:37)
4. Cosmic Calimba (2:21)
5. Add-Space-To-Time (5:33)
6. Psychomellow-Planet (6:12)

Total Time: 74:12

Line-up / Musicians

- Peter Mergener / keyboards
- Michael Weisser / keyboards

Releases information

Innovative Communication IC 710.055 / 56

Thanks to PROGMAN for the addition
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SOFTWARE Electronic-Universe Part I ratings distribution


3.36
(10 ratings)
Essential: a masterpiece of progressive rock music(20%)
20%
Excellent addition to any prog rock music collection(30%)
30%
Good, but non-essential (40%)
40%
Collectors/fans only (0%)
0%
Poor. Only for completionists (10%)
10%

SOFTWARE Electronic-Universe Part I reviews


Showing all collaborators reviews and last reviews preview | Show all reviews/ratings

Collaborators/Experts Reviews

Review by colorofmoney91
PROG REVIEWER
4 stars Electronic-Universe Part I displays Software's tendency to sound like a tame Klaus Schulze at its ultimate best, and never again would their music reach this level. The cold, computerized landscape on this album isn't alone, but accompanied by flute, harp-tones, and the sound of galactic winds.

Obviously, the first track, "Fluting Electronic Universe", is where the flute is, but in addition the the flute I also hear some likeness to Yes' instrumental passages on Tales from Topographic Oceans and has very nice progressive developments in the structures of the soundscapes throughout it's 20 minute duration. "Surfing Saturn" include the sounds of galactic winds, which is something that you'd expect while surfing through the gassy atmosphere or ice-rings of Saturn, and this track also progresses nicely throughout, going to quiet and calm to slightly destructive and noisy. "Dancing Venus" is one of the most disturbingly atmospheric tracks on this album, with the first 9 minutes consisting of the screeching of spatial sirens attempting to draw the listener in, and then leading off with dissonant staccato synths that really recall the rocky and destructive landscape of Venus.

All of the tracks here are great, and there really is a good range of sonic soundscapes here to be enjoyed. Maybe not the best progressive electronic album I've ever heard, but this would be a great place to start in Software's discography.

Review by admireArt
PROG REVIEWER
3 stars Playful and meditative electronic music.

From Germany (again), a prog electronic duo named "Software", which besides its obvious name reference, the "soft" also serves to represent their musical tendency, in this their "ELECTRONIC UNIVERSE-Part 1", 1985, album.

More "baroque classical" inspired songwriting, than let's say experimental, moving closer to "friendly" , softspoken and intriguing musical figures, but also delivering long passages of very "electronic abstract ambients" , which contrast the mid-tempo and slow-tempo structures.

The most obvious comparisson will be with Klaus Schulze's non-pulse music, but the reference will be kept at a proper distance always, by their playful but intelligent compositions and approach.

An electronic trip that is surely enjoyable, although kind of short of becoming "essential".

3.5 PA stars.

Review by Modrigue
PROG REVIEWER
3 stars 3.5 stars

"Electronic-Universe Part I" is certainly one the most ambitious studio album from the German duo, as it opens with no less than three 20 minutes suites! As a consequence, the three other remaining tracks are short compositions, but as good as the long ones. Classic electronic prog lovers, get ready to take off.

"Fluting Electronic Universe" is a slow soft new-age piece, composed mostly of flute and synthesizers. It weaves cool dreamy soundscapes. The pleasant "Surfing Saturn" alternates spacey and ambient passages with strange sound effects. The ending can remind TANGERINE DREAM's "Logos Part 2" by moments, however a little less messy. The cosmic atmosphere corresponds to the track name. On the contrary, "Dancing Venus" is a rather odd title. Its first half is quite mysterious with its synthetic haunting voice calls, while the second half is smoother and contemplative. Enjoyable though.

The 2 minutes "Cosmic Calimba" is the shortest track of the record. The sound and style are very close to TANGERINE DREAM's "Undulation". "Add-Space-To-Time" is the best passage from this second half. A trippy and futuristic sequence with a nice progression. "Psychomellow-Planet" is pretty much in the vein of "Cosmic Calimba", however average.

Although not very innovative and a bit lengthy, "Electronic-Universe Part I" fulfils its promises and carries the listener for a long synthetic journey through different spatial soundscapes. The three first long suites are one the most adventurous pieces SOFTWARE ever composed. If you like 80's electronic progressive music like KLAUS SCHULZE or TANGERINE DREAM, you'll surely enjoy this album from this lesser-known band.

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