ROLAND SCHAPPERT - ROUTE 2(2LP by R-ecords)

Earlier this year, Roland Schappert released ROUTE 1, which I didn't hear. Now there is the follow-up, ROUTE 2, which makes sense as a title, I guess. While there is lengthy information on what exactly is a bit of a riddle for me, there is hardly any information about the man himself. He also had a tape on the Tapesports label. Much of what he does with music has to do with loops. I believe he works digitally, like good ol' fashioned sampling and plays around with these in various ways. Schappert uses field recordings next to purely electronic sounds, acoustic objects, everyday objects or, one short piece, his voice. In the first few pieces, the looping isn't as apparent as they are later on, with pieces such as 'Darwin' and 'Drohnt' dealing with more extended tones and drones and field recordings of water, bells, and birds. From 'I Love You, ich', the sound gears towards a more electronic sound, sequenced sounds, shorter loops and such. A melodic aspect is not lost on the music, even when, at times, Schappert has a rather loose touch when it comes to playing these. Sometimes a more dance-oriented beat comes into play, such as in 'Victor' (although the melodic aspect destroys the dance element) and the marching orders of 'Fällst mir leicht'. The album is, stylistically, in many places, but it has a coherent feeling. You get the drift of it all, I guess. The music might sometimes be abstract, yet it doesn't feel all too abstract or strange. Schappert sets out to entertain the listener with some surprising rhythm music, using, at times, weird sounds but keeps an eye on the ball of keeping it all accessible. The result is a lovely double album. (FdW)

Roland Schapper | Bandcamp

Vital Weekly 1357