Dream Weaver The Mystery [13:39] The Machine [11:08] Aragon [10:57] The Dream [10:43] Walking in the Sand [7:12] The Running * [8:30] Linear Waves * [9:19]

New Dream Coldfields [11:15] New Dream [10:40] Desert [11:37] Alpha [8:37] Nosferatu [7:08] Snow Mountain [7:19] Raining Bells [17:06]

Wind in the Trees Snowhedges, Winter Coldness [14:02] Snowplaines, Frozen Leaves [7:50] April Breeze [4:45] Blossom awakes [7:23] Spring Birds [6:24] Thunderstorm, Lightning [8:55] Summerwind [6:32] Northwind, Leaves fall - and days grow short [14:20]

Moments Only with you [14:05] Cosmos [5:32] Clearmind [11:03] Rivers [7:56] Once never [11:18] Final [6:21] Bonus tracks: Himalaya [7:03] Thomaskerk [5:34]

Bookworks The Stand [15:53] Goodbye [6:13] The Amber Sage [8:26] Khazad Dum [8:37] Morannon [5:53] Paths of Death [14:32] Bonus track: Mojave [11:34]

Odds & Ends The Seedling [5:54] Original extract from the CD "The Seed". RadioDance [6:56] From the CD sampler "Radiowellen". The Run [7:07] From the CD "Sequences 20". With the first 0,5 second included. Andromeda [9:16] Remaining track from the "New Dream" cassette. Flightlog [7:07] From the CD sampler "Mysterious Neighbour". Swallows Passing [11:22] Remaining track from the "Wind in the Trees" cassette. Among the Stars [7:58] Alternate version of the track on the Hypnos CD sampler "The Other World". Hypnos used the slower, darker version. Twisted Stories [8:35] From the CD sampler "New Instrumental Music II". Sonic Scream [8:38] Alternate version of "Sonic Senery part II". It's the live version that was played in Huizen, the Netherlands on October 30 1999.

product info

Box containing 6 CDs. Each CD contains music from his cassette and the 6th CD contains the rest of the C-90 cassettes and some rare tracks. The box comes with an extensive 56 page booklet with lots of photo's, biography and discography. The CD's are also available separately but then you don't get the booklet and the special box.

review

Released in 2000, this set contains: reissues of five long-out-of-print cassette releases by Boots from the Eighties ("Dream Weaver", "Wind in theTrees", "New Dream", "Moments", and "Bookworks"), a disc of rarities, and a 56 page booklet detailing Boots' history in great detail. It all comes in a tasty oversize jewel case. Let's examine each disc individually: -"Dream Weaver" features 71 minutes of music. This music was Boots' debut official cassette release in 1987. Ambient tones lead into gripping melodies that combine intricate keyboard riffs with dense background electronic textures. Some percussive appear, but their presence is minimal and generally muted. The structure of this music is dreamy, achieved through gradual accretion and wandering cycles. This CD features two bonus tracks from Boots' "Linear Waves", a private release cassette that predated "Dream Weaver". One of these "Linear Waves" tracks displays a highly rhythmic melody. -"Wind in the Trees" features 70 minutes of music originating from 1988. Arctic winter plays a strong part in this music, producing a prominent chill with these intertwining of ambient textures and more active keyboards. Most of these tracks feature lively E-perc that attributes a joyful quality to the freezing tunes. The melodies are similarly infused with more pep, as rhythmic riffs command more of the mix, drowning the ambience with their emotional harmonies. -"New Dream" features 73 of music originating from 1987. With the acquisition of an Atari computer and a multi-timbral sound module, Boots' music evolved into a denser sonic animal. Layers of sequencing give this music a very Klaus Schulze edge. As the CD continues, Boots' own style seeps through,taking control of the music with delicate melodies and a soft percussive presence. Although these compositions are quite complex, the overall effect of the music is one of thick drone. -"Moments" features 69 minutes of music originating from 1988. Two bonustracks have been added. This time, the music possesses a more personal,human touch, as Boots captures significant memories with his heavenly electronic compositions. Romantic tenderness, whimsical impressions, sadlosses, powerful accomplishments...he presents specific memories in a manner that transcends details, evoking similar events in all of our lives with this sentimental music. -"Bookworks" features 69 minutes of music originating from 1989. A single bonus track has been added. Here, Boots mixes sedately meditative tones with somber, almost haunting tune age, generating a rich flow that calms with atouch of expectancy. E-perc again plays a part, but continues to remain unobtrusive. -"Odds & Ends" features 73 minutes of tracks from numerous sources: samplers,collections, and a few left-over pieces from the other CDs in this box-set.One is an alternate, livelier version of Boots' track from the Hypnos collection "The Other World", while another is a live song from 1999. 2001. Matt Howarth

review

Last week (week 20) I had problems with my back again, the 3rd time within the year, so I had time on my hand to listen to some music from my collection of cd's while I was resting on the sofa. Usually I start off with the "Big Greek", he's still my number one" and then I move on to those other classical EM artists such as TaDream, Schulze, Roach, Neuronium and some younger, but not less, artists like RMI & Redshift. Strangely enough I always end up with the works of Ron Boots & friends to finish a perfectly "quiet" day (kids at school & the wife at work) with one of his cd's. Although he surprises my on each new CD he releases, I like that, his older work compiled on the 80's box since 2000 is still part of my favourite music just because it's great music no matter how "old" it is. So I'd like to end this comment with a statement. "Become what you want but don't forget your past" 2003. Jeff / Belgium