COLIN POTTER

Colin Potter's "Rank Sonata" a compilation of new and remastered compositions, includes his very praised "A Wider Pail of Shale" (2015), which could be counted as one of his most notorious pieces (outside the walls of P.A., in other Progressive Electronic pages).

I myself, maybe blinded with expectations, do appreciate the charms of this composition, but I am far from being highly amazed. Yes, a very accomplished track but some sections work better than others. Its first ten minutes are not that interesting as its last nine. 3.5 stars.

Track 2, "And" a remastered piece from the "And Then album", 2000, a 4 minutes essay, is more focused in the experimental electronic sounds mode. A very nicely accomplished exercise, by the way. 3 stars.

Track 3, "Knit Where?" which originates from the 2006's "Brainwaves" compilation, continues with the experimental electronic environments, counterpointing them with a distant flowing melody line which is more in tune with the Progressive Electronic world as it is understood. 3 stars.

Closing track "Beyond the Pail", a shorter and mellowly remixed version of its eldest sibling, as its name implies, is the kind of composition that summarizes the original's moods, in a faster paced way. Good but, I suppose, being not that struck with the original track, its attributes do not travel beyond that. 3 scarcely reached stars.

In some way, what this release lacks in master minded music composition, is compensated with Colin Potter's display of his own musical language, which is refreshing as opposed to imitations, which are a common place in this category.

***3 PA stars.

— First review of this album —

Beware of this release's addictive side-effects.

(May cause the need to continue listening to its dream like, slow paced, cosmic, ethereal aural reality, when it stops.)

Colin Potter's quantum leap into the world of progressive electronics with his own imprint and crystal clear focus of where he wants to go, no holds barred!

"SEE", first released in 1990 with 2 tracks and re-released in a incomparable, as few, extended versions, version, adding another 24 minute composition written in 2002, as flawless and creative as its elder siblings.

There is something in this trilogy of compositions that adds up an extraordinary range of sonic electronic/drone possibilities , yet its up front attractive nature develops under-keyed, as if to entertain those patient, attentive and perceptive listeners only. Therefore its true powers rely on flawless and detailed musicality rather than electronic fireworks and above all a unique footprint in a quiet traveled road, which in this P.E. world, means GOLD.

*****5 PA stars.

— First review of this album —

Colin Potter's latest works are quiet interesting, nevertheless, I am digging in some of his first 1980's works, which so far are not that extraordinary as I at first hand assumed. They are honest but nevertheless display an artist on the making and his sum of direct influences, which is healthy, but not exactly that important in the whole Progressive Electronic universe and less in my P.E. collection.

Anyway! This is his 1982, "A Gain", track by track review (more or less).

Track 1 "On Entering York Minster' and track 3 "You Tell Me".> An unmistakable flavor of the "universal" 80's synth's sounds, blended with the sequences the Berlin School and the The Bay Area / Los Angeles school, as far as music composition goes, triggered. Some sections are interesting yet the dated touch, as with many 80's influenced musicians, is truly forgettable. Between 2 & 3 stars both. Its most palpable influences- Tangerine Dream and Heldon.

Track 2 "Rooftops"> is one of this release's full jacket highlights and a perfect mix of influences (i.e. Steve Reich) and Colin Potter's own instrumental sonwriting proposals. Attractive and delightful from start to finish. A 5 stars track.

"Mainland">, track 4, is more experimental in its composition. Closer to the The Bay Area / Los Angeles school styling, it could be comparable in mode to Mark Shreeve's "Assassin". 3 stars.

Closing track "All Reel"> is a Richard Pinhas/Heldon like tribute (to call it somehow), unimpressive if already acquainted with the french band and their "mastermind". 2 stars tops.

***3 PA stars due to track 2.