1. Over the Edge [4:52]
  2. Velvet Earth [4:51]
  3. Destination: Moon [12:37]
  4. Tranquillity base [3:26]
  5. The gate [6:34]
  6. Fountains of force [5:58]
  7. Dreamtime [3:46]
  8. Stardance [2:58]
  9. Departure [4:01]
  10. Visionary [6:59]



product
info		 Remastered 2005 by Gerd Wienekamp
Composed and played 1995 by Frank Specht & Gerd Wienekamp

This was our first concert, performed in our hometown of Oldenburg. During the two-hour concert, which was held on the 2nd December 1995, projections of heavenly bodies were used to accompany the music.

2001. Cover Info



review		 What we have here are selected tracks from their first concert in 1995. The running order is not as in the concert but the tracks are beautifully placed next to and float into each other. It comes over sounding much more like a studio album, its hard to believe that such complex music was actually played live. Its also hard to believe that it has remained unreleased for so long.

Its straight into fast sequence territory with the opener 'Over the Edge'. The first melody is slow and drifting contrasting nicely with the urgent pace of the rest of the track. Things then quieten down nicely as another sequence develops. Melodic whooshes of sound add to the excitement still further as the sequences continue to blast forward.
Things quieten down just enough for us to drift into 'Velvet Earth'. Melodic floating pads set a tranquil mood. The rhythm and sequences are all very Schulzian but so much happens in the nine minute duration both with the pianoish lead line, sequences and high hat accompaniment that it is hard to pin it down to a particular period. The lead line is particularly impressive but really you can't fault anything about this track, never has nine minutes flown by so quickly. 'Destination Moon' is a lovely atmospheric number. Soft pads are dismissed by dark crashes of sound. We move into deep space and NASA samples can just be heard in the background. I'm no great fan of such samples but they are so faint here that they add to the atmosphere without really being noticed. Then a lovely slow bass sequence rumbles forwards creating a very ominous setting. Deep pads are then placed over the top as if some vast hand is enveloping everything. They then disappear and things become much lighter again. They return however and the track is snuffed out.
'Tranquility Base' takes over and the NASA samples can be heard again. Its all very cosmic, gently shimmering. Flutey synths abound. 'The Gate' immediately returns us to sequencer territory. One sequence is of the conventional bubbling variety then we get a more rhythmic one. The lead line is of the tubular bell type but wow what a fantastic melody! We continue straight into 'Fountains of Force' which builds slowly and is another number which sounds heavily inspired by Klaus Schulze, particularly in the rhythm programming. By the five minute mark all the sequences are in full flow. Its very hard to write as the music takes over my head, mesmerizing and hypnotizing. A laser sharp lead line then comes in and, well, just string five or six superlatives together of your own choice- its awesome! 'Dreamtime' is a rather dark number, punctuated by strange animal noises. A slow beat starts up sounding rather funereal. At two minutes a sequence can be heard but it keeps within the disturbed sleep type feel of the rest of the track, adding a little structure rather than forcing things forward. 'Stardance' initially uses some female vocal effects (not singing) over a 'tinkling' sequence. They only last a few seconds but in this setting are very effective. A deeper sequence moves into position beside the first and the obvious comparison is again with KS, this time in his 'Body Love' period. This is another stunning track that both excites and mesmerizes at the same time. Some people are given just too much talent. It isn't fair! 'Departure' immediately takes over and now we bounce along on a rather jaunty sequence. Its like a cross between Jean Michel Jarre and Space (Magic Fly). Trying to keep your body still to this one is close to impossible. Its a very happy track which should leave a big smile on your face. 'Visionary' is in a similar style to the previous number in that it is another real body mover but with sequences being more dominant that the rhythms - again, great fun.
Finally 'Space Sweep' is another upbeat number with a good driving bass rhythm and more sequences coming and going that you can count. Its a great way to end the CD and should have you dancing to your CD rack in order to get all your other Rainbow Serpent CDs out to play one after the other.

This CD shows that not only are they one of the most talented bands around today but even in 1995 they were one of the very best.

2001. (DL)



review		 I've heard several Rainbow Serpent releases, and this is my favorite of the lot so far. This is a bit ironic, since this “new” CD is actually a recording of their first concert, from December 1995. Forget the strange cover that looks like worms or intestines (or a rainbow serpent,perhaps?) - this is first-rate electronic music.

Over the Edge launches things energetically. Velvet Earth is indeed silky, with light tinkling sounds and soft sequences. Destination: Earth has cool space talk in the background, with textured sounds surrounding a simple but effective bass line that holds it all together. The space lingo continues in Tranquillity Base, along with great Mellotron flutes and low synth pads. After these two mellower tracks, The Gate livens things up again. Lush strings dominate this crisp succinct composition. Dreamtime has tribal influences, owing to its Aboriginal theme.Stardance is a great midtempo sequencer piece with the coolest intertwining of layers. Hmm, maybe the cover art is appropriate, after all. There are eleven tracks in all, almost all of it good.The cheese factor is a little much in Departure, but it is brief. Space Sweep has a thumping dance beat that wears out its welcome well before the closing seven minutes are up.

But these are temporary diversions in a very strong Teutonic outing. Recommended.

2001. Phil Derby / Exposé Magazine



review		 Here we have a real treat! From 1995-1999 comes three Rainbow Serpent album, previously available only on a very limited basis.
COSMO VISION contains previously tracks recorded before their first concert in ’95. These have been sequenced and re-mixed into a non stop floating tapestry of electronic sequences and strongly melodic movements.
The result is stunning.

Archie Patterson