terje winther - electronic regions



		terje winther - electronic regions

[Norwegian version further down / Norsk versjon lenger ned på denne siden]

"More than 100 minutes of Berlin School music, flavored by several worldwide essences which strikes, collides and stripes the paint out of your walls." - Sylvain Lupari
"Winther’s music has a certain barely-controlled quality about it giving it more sense of adventure than some of his contemporaries, sometimes over-the-top but at other times finding that the risks pay off." - Phil Derby / Electroambient Space

Electronic Regions is the new solo record from Terje Winther, a highly respected synthesizer musician from Norway. This CD is an auditorial walk through electronic forests of strange, exploring forgotten paths, otherwordly thoughts, nature and bricks of concrete.

The double CD moves through a multitude of auditory landscapes made with old and new analogue synthesizers. A combination of improvisation and sequencers develop a broad range of sounds and emotions, drawing inspiration from the time when music was visionary, grand and made for the future.

Electronic Regions is Terje Winther´s second solo release with electronic music. In addition he has contributed to many electronic albums in Norway, Sweden and England. Winther has been rewarded with positive critique for his concerts and recordings, and performed some of the music from this CD at a solo concert in the «Awakenings» concert series during fall of 2009.

all music composed, arranged, performed, recorded, mixed, produced and mastered by terje winther

An interview with Terje Winther on Planet Origo - check it out!

DThe CD can be bought from Groove Unlimited in Holland - they ship worldwide.

Distribution: Musikkoperatørene AS, tel: +47 23 31 01 20, e-mail: info@musikkoperatorene.no

Press release in PDF-format

terje winther: electronic regions

Bajkal Records 222019, released November 2009.

The second solo synthesizer CD by Terje Winther.

CD1: entering regions suite (60:50)
1. time (11:12)
2. and again (4:09)
3. i feel my life (20:59)
4. repeating (itself) (14:31)
5. over and over (again) (9:58)

CD2:
1. electronic rendezvous (3:52)
2. where the water leaves the road (51:53)
3. evermore (23:26)

Performed and produced by Terje Winther

TA review by Phil Derby, Electroambient Space:

Terje Winther from Norway has an affinity for the Berlin school sound with his own unique take on it. He makes a personal musical statement on Electronic Regions, a 2-CD set covering a wide swath of sonic terrain. Disc one is the 5-part “Entering Regions Suite”, beginning with “Time”, an 11-minute experimental piece reminiscent of very early Klaus Schulze or Tangerine Dream, a stark, barren landscape of minimal sounds. At first, long sustained tones are shrill and disturbing, but once it calms down there is a cool, early krautrock feel to it as warbling electronics and vintage organ combine in a simple yet effective manner. “And Again” is just buzzing abstract noise mostly, thankfully short. Winther hits his stride on the last three tracks, “I Feel My Life”, “Repeating (Itself)”, “Over (Again)”. Together they form 45 minutes of solid retro space music, from cool floating sections to energetic sequencer fests, all using fat vintage synth sounds. “Electronic Rendezvous” starts disc two in synth pop mode with a short quirky playful piece before launching into two epic space journeys, clocking in at over 51 and 23 minutes, respectively. Each has sequencers as the backbone driving them along through Teutonic territory. Winther’s music has a certain barely-controlled quality about it giving it more sense of adventure than some of his contemporaries, sometimes over-the-top but at other times finding that the risks pay off.

© 2010 Phil Derby / Electroambient Space

A review by Artemi Pugachov at the Encyclopedia of electronic music:

"Electronic Regions" is a brand-new two-disc set from Norwegian synth musician Terje Winther. All music was done mostly on analogue synthesizers, including beautiful modular beasts. It would be a daunting task to try to describe each long track in detail, so I'll just concentrate on the general aspects of sound and the feel each one of them conjures. The first disc is taken up by "Entering Regions Suite" which, in turn, is divided into 5 parts. The first one is called "Time" and the basic feeling it conjures is that of anticipation. The track mostly consists of siren-like wails, drones and effects. Sounds simple but works perfectly. The track ends with prolonged organ chords. The whole reminds a bit on Klaus Schulze's early works that were also heavy on the electronic organ. "And Again" disturbs the flow a bit with its almost jarring analogue sounds. This is some form of mutant Berlin School. The sound gets even weirder and more out-there towards the end. "I Feel My Life" is the longest part on the first disc. The sound and general concept on this one is very 1970's, very KS-like: long analogue pads, soft leads, Mellotron choirs - you get the picture. For the next part, entitled "Repeating (itself)", the epic soundscape gives way for a sequencer attack that gradually gains momentum, shooting off into stratosphere for the last few minutes. The sound is still profoundly cosmic and dreamy, and the spirit of the golden age of EM dwells in each second of it. There are nice analogue solos throughout and the whole moves towards the Tangerine Dream (circa "Ricochet") territory. The final part, entitled "Over And Over (again)" speeds up the tempo a bit, while still relying very much on the sequences. There are also nice Mellotron flutes and melodic synthesizer soloing. More experimental sounds and wonderful cosmic arpeggios make this track something special and arguably the main attraction of this disc. The second CD opens with a strange danceable number entitled "Electronic Rendezvous". If you like the synthetic repetitive structures of Kraftwerk with a good dose of electronic voices, you might find this to your liking. A total surprise and not quite something I was expecting from Terje and yet this is interesting music that works quite well even if it's a bit out of context here. A really massive (51 minutes) track called "Where the Water Leaves the Road" follows and it's a return to the atmospheric style displayed on the first disc. An intro totally in the tradition of mid-1970's Schulze (Mellotron, wind effects, melancholic chords) is heard. A long sequencer / solo section follows, still very much in classic KS tradition, with key changes, endless noodlings and a long stretch where sequences are distorting themselves beyond recognition. I thought the music was nice but too predictable. The drums sound authentic but no drums are listed in the instrument list so I suppose they are sampled. "Evermore", the last track, opens with heavy analogue effects that last for a few minutes. A sequencer section follows, with more melodic and driving pulsations. The melodic content is more lyrical and grandiose this time, conjuring up images of the vastness of space. An atmospheric part gives way for a sequencer-based final where the pulsations become really infectious and hypnotic. This album will be enjoyed by those who are after that 1970's electronic sound, especially the music of Klaus Schulze and Tangerine Dream circa 1975 - 1976. With two CD's, 60+ minutes in length each, there's a lot of analogue goodness to savour.

A review by Sylvain Lupari from Guts of Darkness:

Terje Winther becomes little by little a dominant figure in the small, but wonderful, world of EM. His 1st opus (Tresspasser) had incurred good criticisms, while his other musical project (WintherStormer) cuts itself an enviable place among fans of PSR (Progressif Space Rock). For his 2nd solo album Terje Winther decided to play on both boards, borrowing his own passionate and harmonious style that we discovered on Tresspasser, and the progressive and very eclectic approach of WintherStormer. It results from it a complex album where a cold sonorous universe, atonic, metallic and cosmic ablaze melodious and aggressive electronic structures where Berlin School measures a world of EM to multiple international flavors. A weird ode to small green chaps.
This audacious musical adventure begins with Entering Regions Suite. A long cataplasmic title of 61 minutes, to cosmic turmoil, divided into 5 parts. First of all Time and his sirens in loops which couple to heavy reverberations. A dark title of which the oscillation rests on a disastrous organ which winds quietly an atonal musical universe where sonorous life is unfolding on the sly. The movement increases to throw itself into the depths of And Time and its electronic approach to profound terms which talk in a rather indigestible cacophony for ears. An extraterrestrial speech which spreads in the hearth of I Feel my Life’s strident keens. A strange birth which stagnates in a pond of musical antimatter, where the heterogeneous and metallic tones loosen a perfume of steel and leave an aceric inheritance in ears. Except that the first faltering tones of a sound universe to latent harmonies make themselves hear. The birth is discreet, slow and strides along dramatic elements which join the sounds of Larry (Synergy) Fast on Chords and Michael Stearns. A loud organ-ic oscillation, accompanied by apathetic choirs, winds a spherical corridor with a strange melodious approach, where voices of strange creatures abound with galactic sound effects on a very poignant mellotron, giving finally birth to the first harmonious stammerings of Electronic Regions. A pulsation bangs near the sphere-shaped space where glean outer space sound serpentines. This pulsation stirs and fidgets to switch around in a hesitating pace which clears a rhythm in a cosmic sound heap. A magnificent sequence kicks out it, watched by dark sirens to circular rotations which escape from intimidating reverberations. The imaginary world of Winther is stunning! Cherubs' murmurs of another world illuminate the structure of Repeating (Itself), which bites at big keys a sequential rhythmic heavy, clumsy and fat which waves à la TD (era Chris Franke). A sequence surrounded by a Twilight Zone synthesized sonata, in a musical setting which becomes more limpid and filled with solos of a felted synth which furrows a structure to sonorous rantings that drew his conception. A superb title which demonstrates the versatility of Winther and will please Mark Shreeve and Redshift fans. Ingenious electronic cosmic music, with beautiful synthesized steams which join the striations of Tangerine Dream on Wavelenght and which throw itself into the heavy oscillations of Over and Over (Again); another weighty track which navigates on heavy bass line and a fluty mellotron. A blend of electronic and Space rock filled by juicy and well chiseled solos, having its impact from a sonorous imprint to turnarounds as suave as industrialized. A perfect symbiosis of Entering Regions Suite's first 4 tracks.
The CD 2 is also stuffed with surprises. Electronic Rendezvous is a very short full of life title that looks like Kraftwerk, / Music Non stop. Attractive, effective and very lively. A catchy preamble before the complex and long Where the Water Leaves the Road, which introduces his musical serenade with cosmic waves of which the backwashes mold synthesized that float in a sweet ethereal cloudiness. At around the 13th minute mark, a discreet sequence operates with magic, increasing its musical line of a clear and incisive pace. Where the Water Leaves the Road livens up of a hiccupping rhythm, with fine oscillatory subtleties that cross a sphere filled with cosmic tones under strikings of scattered percussions. Great Berlin School there, which quivers on fine hard-hitting births à la Jarre, giving the best of both worlds of EM. The track evolves with heaviness, borrowing the paths of a furious progressive Space rock which spins under multiple aggressive solos to reach his in middle-course and strike the sound-barrier at around the 31th minute point. Afterward we enter an automated heterogeneous world which embraces the crazy steams of the first verses of the CD1, except that musical dynamic is persisting. A beautiful sequence emerges out of this brief tetanized din to forged a serpentine rhythmic which is devoured by solos as complex as melodious. Some great electronic and cosmic art which spreads out on a 52 minutes well packed, extending its sequential roots to the structures of Evermore. Another track which boils on varied rhythms, aggressive synths and musical opening on a cosmos star-studded of opaline tints. Aggressive and neurotic Berlin School which is legion on this 2nd opus from this Norwegian synthesist.
Entering Regions Suite is another small marvel. Without the first 3 tracks, it would be real masterpiece. A surprising, hard-hitting and puzzling album which is certainly in 2009 top 10. Breathtaking I’m telling you! Particularly with musical pieces like Repeating ( Itself), Over and Over ( Again), Where the Water Leaves the Road and Evermore. More than 100 minutes of Berlin School music, flavored by several worldwide essences which strikes, collides and stripes the paint out of your walls.

A review by Bert Strolenberg at www.sonicimmersion.org

“Electronic Regions”, a concept album with varied expressions spread out over two discs, took Norwegian musician Terje Winther a long time to complete, almost five years to be more exact. For this release, Terje actually wanted to pay homage to all the electronic music that has inspired him, from early Tangerine Dream and Klaus Schulze, through prog rock and electronic hit songs, to long symphonic works mixed with sounds that stretch your imagination. For this purpose, he mostly used ProTools, next to main synths as the analogue modulars, the Moog and ARP synths, plus various string machines to put the icing on the cake
Musically, Terje has come up with inspired vintage electronics consisting of lots of full tonal and atonal analogue sounds, strong rhythms from sequencers, good tunes and themes, keeping in mind there’s always a rough, overtly strange and experimental edge to it all. Together, they act like “a walk through a giant landscape where you meet all these wonderful places to visit”, as Terje said it in an interview with Planet Origo. Well, the vibe and backbone of ‘70’s vintage electronics lies firmly embedded in the centre of the highly improvised music. There’s the one hour, five-part “Entering Regions Suite” on the first disc, of which the masterful middle track “I Feel Life” is one of pure and grand design, actually making retro music shine so brightly, while the sequenced, enigmatic spheres of “Repeating (itself)” send its greetings to TD’s “Ricochet”.
This also goes for the three pieces on the second cd: although the short opening piece “Electronic RendezVouz” is rather pointless and silly, the over 51-minute “Where the water leaves the road” carries on very nicely in classic Schulze in the first 20 minutes or so. After that, the music turns more melodic and a bit too freaky at times. Eventually, the vintage style works out better on the cinematic, more harmonic sounding “Evermore”, which strays along the numerous paths of “electronic forests”.
In its own right, the music re-interprets and redefines the impact of the auditory landscapes from the past, which were ahead of their time. Mr Winther has transformed them into massive and expansive new shapes and figures, even into off-the-world dimensions if you like.
Summarizing: Terje’s “Electronic Regions” is not an easy-to-chew or digest kind of retro music, but a tough one with a full-grown edge of maturity, demanding adventurous ears to experience and appreciate its full meaning.

Norwegian version / Norsk versjon:

Electronic Regions er ny soloplate fra Terje Winther, en høyt respektert synthesizermusiker, som med denne platen gjør en lydlig vandring gjennom elektroniske skogers irrganger og utforsker gjengrodde stier, bisetninger, fossefall og betongklosser.

Dobbelt-CDen beveger seg gjennom mangeklingende landskap ved hjelp av gamle og nye analoge synthesizere. Gjennom en kombinasjon av improvisasjon og fastlagte mønstre fremtrer en bred lydlig palett som henter inspirasjon fra den gang musikken var visjonær, storslagen og fremtidsrettet.

Electronic Regions er Terje Winthers andre solo-utgivelse med elektronisk musikk. Han har i tillegg deltatt på en rekke fellesalbum med elektronisk musikk i Norge, Sverige og England. Winther får gode kritikker for sine konserer, og innspillinger, og deler av denne CDen ble fremført på konserter i England og Norge høsten 2009.

CDen kan kjøpes på Platekompaniet, hos Big Dipper Records i Oslo, og på Apollon Musikk i Neumannsgaten 28 i Bergen.

Distribueres av Musikkoperatørene AS, telefon 23 31 01 20, epost info@musikkoperatorene.no

Pressemelding i PDF-format

CDen kan også kjøpes direkte fra Terje Winther. Send inn din bestilling!