Alfred’s 2016 album is the first since 2012’s ‘Overnight Sensation’ not to feature any old recordings from his time before he worked with Rachel’s Birthday, and with no guests involved this time we are down to just Alfred and his trusty keyboards (including of course programmed drums). I have said previously that Alfred’s playing reminds me of Rick Wakeman combined with Vangelis and Jean Michel Jarre, and this album is again on very similar lines. There are times when the music is progressive, others when it is more New Age, but never really moves into pure electronic territory. It would be interesting to hear “Ayers Rock” with a strong proper rhythm section behind it, as I think that additional vitality would make an already interesting song even more so. Working in a band framework with live instruments would make this album even more appealing, if Alfred maintains full control and keeps doing what he is already. Yet another interesting album from Germany’s Alfred Mueller, and worth investigating from Bandcamp where it is possible to download this free.
Soniq Theater - Globaliced
, Kev Rowland
