ARCHIVE
press release for 'SOUNDTRACK 3 - PENETRATING'
PROGRESSIVE NEWSLETTER - GERMANY
PNL 80
(Krautige Space Elektronik)
COCOON – Spaceship cocoon (57:14, 2013, Private)
Hinter dem Namen Cocoon verbirgt sich der australische Musiker Tommy Tralongo.
Er nennt seine Musik „electronic-space-progressive-psychedelic-rock“, wobei er diese Stilrichtungen in verschiedenen Formationen unterschiedlich auslebt. Cocoon gibt es schon seit 1988, unter diesem Namen wurden Prog-Alben (mir bisher nicht bekannt) veröffentlicht sowie Soundtracks. Außerdem firmiert er noch unter Birdcage Pram, Helen („free jam psychedelic prog“) und Triangle (für 2014 geplantes Gothic-Krautrock-Soundtrack Album). Das vorliegende Album fokussiert eindeutig auf die ersten beiden der o.g. Begriffe. Das ist Synthesizer- bzw. Sequencer-basierte Soundtrack-artige Musik, die auch einen gewissen Kraut-Touch nicht verhehlt. Anfangs alles im Alleingang eingespielt, im Laufe des Albums wird er auf zwei Songs von einem Bassisten unterstützt sowie auf einem Titel von einem Schlagzeuger. In der zweiten Hälfte stößt zu den eher abstrakten Synthesizer-Gebilden auch eine elektrische Gitarre hinzu. Tralongo versteht dieses Werk als seine Verbeugung vor dem 70er Krautrock, der Opener etwa heißt „Beispiellied“. Und so findet man auch tatsächlich Einflüsse von den im Booklet erwähnten Artisten Tangerine Dream, AshRa, Klaus Schulze, Neu! oder Popol Vuh, und auch Robert Fripp (siehe „take the trip“) findet Erwähnung. Auf dem längsten Stück des Albums, motor cycle (11:38), erinnert die Komposition zum Beispiel stark an Michael Rother oder auch Harmonia. Das ist mehr auf krautige Atmosphäre denn auf Melodien mit sofortigem Wiedererkennungswert aus. Wenn man gerade in der Stimmung für derartige Musik ist, ist Cocoon sicherlich keine schlechte Wahl.
(09)
(Jürgen Meurer)
PNL 80
(Krautige Space Elektronik)
COCOON – Spaceship cocoon (57:14, 2013, Private)
Hinter dem Namen Cocoon verbirgt sich der australische Musiker Tommy Tralongo.
Er nennt seine Musik „electronic-space-progressive-psychedelic-rock“, wobei er diese Stilrichtungen in verschiedenen Formationen unterschiedlich auslebt. Cocoon gibt es schon seit 1988, unter diesem Namen wurden Prog-Alben (mir bisher nicht bekannt) veröffentlicht sowie Soundtracks. Außerdem firmiert er noch unter Birdcage Pram, Helen („free jam psychedelic prog“) und Triangle (für 2014 geplantes Gothic-Krautrock-Soundtrack Album). Das vorliegende Album fokussiert eindeutig auf die ersten beiden der o.g. Begriffe. Das ist Synthesizer- bzw. Sequencer-basierte Soundtrack-artige Musik, die auch einen gewissen Kraut-Touch nicht verhehlt. Anfangs alles im Alleingang eingespielt, im Laufe des Albums wird er auf zwei Songs von einem Bassisten unterstützt sowie auf einem Titel von einem Schlagzeuger. In der zweiten Hälfte stößt zu den eher abstrakten Synthesizer-Gebilden auch eine elektrische Gitarre hinzu. Tralongo versteht dieses Werk als seine Verbeugung vor dem 70er Krautrock, der Opener etwa heißt „Beispiellied“. Und so findet man auch tatsächlich Einflüsse von den im Booklet erwähnten Artisten Tangerine Dream, AshRa, Klaus Schulze, Neu! oder Popol Vuh, und auch Robert Fripp (siehe „take the trip“) findet Erwähnung. Auf dem längsten Stück des Albums, motor cycle (11:38), erinnert die Komposition zum Beispiel stark an Michael Rother oder auch Harmonia. Das ist mehr auf krautige Atmosphäre denn auf Melodien mit sofortigem Wiedererkennungswert aus. Wenn man gerade in der Stimmung für derartige Musik ist, ist Cocoon sicherlich keine schlechte Wahl.
(09)
(Jürgen Meurer)
AN ANALYSIS OF SPACESHIP COCOON
Tony Tralongo is the Australian behind the name Cocoon, an obscure recording artist since the 1980’s. A multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer, he plays guitar, guitar synthesizer, bass, keyboards and sequencing, vocals and drum programming. He has produced progressive and ambient rock music for many years including a series of soundtrack-themed albums.
With this latest release, Cocoon makes his detailed exploration into the many fundamental sub-genres of the German Kosmische scene of the 1970’s. He openly admits this album is a tribute to those artists, that he believes, shaped popular rock music for the western world. There is a valid argument for this, with which the writer does not disagree. The album title suggests the idea of boarding the spaceship and taking the listener on a ride. So let’s go!
The opening track is titled Beispielled-example_song. The German title, loosely translates to ‘ for example’ and hints at the musical possibilities. Synthesizer sequencers command from the first notes, their sounds ever-transforming and coalescing to the haunting and sudden finale. Influences by Moebius and Plank are apparent. As on most of this album, Cocoon employs virtual or ‘VST’ synthesizers. VST plugins are programs on a computer that emulate the sound of the original instrument. Some of the VST synths used on this track are Crystal, Motion 2.8 and TAL-Noisemaker.
The_path_I_follow delves deeper into the sequencer theme. It is an obvious tribute to Klaus Schultze, exploring the plugin V4-KX-SYNTH, which is an emulator for the legendary VCS 3. The sequencing is augmented by deep horns and haunting strings. Tangerine Dream fans will also immediately hear the resemblance and appreciate the interpretation.
Galactic_station, as the name implies, places the listener in outer space. This is another track supported by a sequence and the sound effects are great. The opening of the TV show ‘Doctor Who’ comes to mind. The sound of satellites can be heard whizzing past as the listener peers out the porthole of the Cocoon spacecraft. VST synths used Superwave P8, Synth1 and Crystal among others.
Planets_of_rock continues on the space sounds and introduces rock drums into the cosmic foray. A Roland R8 drum machine generated the drum sounds. The synths feature a ‘vacuum’ sounding effect in an eerie space setting. A deep, bass synth, similar to a Taurus pedal keeps it bleak and works well with the R8. VST synths such as Superwave P8 and Rez, TAL-Elek7ro-II were used. The breaks in the rhythm add to the tension and intrigue.
Complicated_apparatus is a shift into another gear. Cocoon explores a more conventional style using a dark rhythm section. Two close friends and collaborators join in to this otherwise solo album. Bass work by Emilio Sarpa from Taipan and drums by session player, Ren Paris. This is overlayed with synth pads and a voice sample that is nicely disturbing. There are also some vocals by Cocoon, a rare element on this album, but these vocal sounds are ‘in the music’ rather than prominent. There are many longer tracks on this album and to the writer this demonstrates the ‘stay and explore’ mentality of the artist. This track, nearly nine minutes, morphs from what starts as an alternative groove, into an ambience and then further still, almost into a state of meditation. The process reflects the lyric, where the apparatus transmits lessons directly into the brain.
Transition is based on an analogue Moog synth playing a bass sequence. The sequence prepares the listener and builds the tension for what is to come. The style and sound is in the school of Kraftwerk, pure, clean and focused. The keyboard sequence is then joined by a launch sequence! Audio from space shuttle launches has been woven in, changing the perspective and rolling the shuttle upside down at the precise moment.
The next track is one of my favourites. Motor-cycle features a motorik beat in the style of Klaus Dinger of Neu, combined with the sound of the artist’s Aprilia v-twin motorcycle. The rhythm guitar riff, played on his Telecaster, certainly confirms the Michael Rother influence. The track bubbles and boils along as the synths float by. VST synths such as Superwave P8 and Rez were used and string sounds were played on a Korg T2 workstation. The drum sequence on the Roland R8. Heavy bass riff provided by Emilio Sarpa. This track, being over eleven minutes, also morphs into an ambient reverie. This can be best described in the artist’s own words: “The track represents two phases of sports motor cycle riding. The first phase, where the rider absorbs all external sounds and sensations, and the second phase, where the rider enters ‘the zone’, only feeling his heart beat and tuned in to his thoughts and actions in total concentration.”
Take the trip is where Cocoon gets out his guitar! This album is so keyboard-heavy that it makes this ‘guitar-only’ track very refreshing. The heavy rock riff, reminiscent of so many ‘70’s Kraut bands, sounds like a heavy Ashra Tempel, This is overlaid with a Robert Fripp styled layer of guitar with an echo loop, which is also a trait of Manuel Gottsching. He played this on his Roland G-707 guitar.
To be obeyed completes the album. This track has a floaty ‘sound track’ feel giving it a dark ambience in the Goblin vein. Rich with white noise, it is an obvious tribute to the likes of Tangerine Dream and JM Jarre. Cocoon also makes a vocal appearance on this track, adding an ambient melody. VSTs used such as String Theory and K700, SQ8L and Synth1. Samples of guitar harmonics are used effectively where there is otherwise no guitar on this track.
As Cocoon rightly states in the album artwork, this is a musical thesis for him, celebrating many of the most influential artists of the Krautrock Era.
The artwork is abstract, original and well worth the purchase of the disc. All photos for the artwork are by Cocoon except for the two pics of him, which are quite ‘arty’ and suit the reclusive image of the artist.
Spaceship Cocoon is a self-release from this independent artist. Currently, the album is available exclusively through Heartland Records Melbourne Australia http://heartlandrecords.com.au/ or directly from the artist [email protected] .
The price of the album is $20 AUD which equates to approx 13,25 EUR
Postage to Germany or NL for example, add approx 4,25 EUR
This album is planned to be distributed in Europe and worldwide some time in 2014, apparently negotiations are in progress. If you can’t wait, get a copy directly from the artist and have it personalised and signed.
You can preview most of the tracks on Soundcloud and YouTube.
https://soundcloud.com/cocoonconcepts2/sets/spaceship-cocoon-2013
https://www.youtube.com/user/cocoonconcepts/videos?sort=dd&view=46&shelf_id=8&tag_id=UC9blAOgcyqbqgQh2lPDN3Rg.3.cocoon-kraut
I am a fan of all the influences mentioned above so I naturally enjoyed this disc. It is genuine, original and very intense. Looking forward to the next one!
WTMcN
Review date: April 2014
Author: William.T.McNama – Australian independent music reviewer
Rating: 5 stars – excellent
1-poor 2-not that interesting 3-worth the purchase 4-very good 5-excellent
Tony Tralongo is the Australian behind the name Cocoon, an obscure recording artist since the 1980’s. A multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer, he plays guitar, guitar synthesizer, bass, keyboards and sequencing, vocals and drum programming. He has produced progressive and ambient rock music for many years including a series of soundtrack-themed albums.
With this latest release, Cocoon makes his detailed exploration into the many fundamental sub-genres of the German Kosmische scene of the 1970’s. He openly admits this album is a tribute to those artists, that he believes, shaped popular rock music for the western world. There is a valid argument for this, with which the writer does not disagree. The album title suggests the idea of boarding the spaceship and taking the listener on a ride. So let’s go!
The opening track is titled Beispielled-example_song. The German title, loosely translates to ‘ for example’ and hints at the musical possibilities. Synthesizer sequencers command from the first notes, their sounds ever-transforming and coalescing to the haunting and sudden finale. Influences by Moebius and Plank are apparent. As on most of this album, Cocoon employs virtual or ‘VST’ synthesizers. VST plugins are programs on a computer that emulate the sound of the original instrument. Some of the VST synths used on this track are Crystal, Motion 2.8 and TAL-Noisemaker.
The_path_I_follow delves deeper into the sequencer theme. It is an obvious tribute to Klaus Schultze, exploring the plugin V4-KX-SYNTH, which is an emulator for the legendary VCS 3. The sequencing is augmented by deep horns and haunting strings. Tangerine Dream fans will also immediately hear the resemblance and appreciate the interpretation.
Galactic_station, as the name implies, places the listener in outer space. This is another track supported by a sequence and the sound effects are great. The opening of the TV show ‘Doctor Who’ comes to mind. The sound of satellites can be heard whizzing past as the listener peers out the porthole of the Cocoon spacecraft. VST synths used Superwave P8, Synth1 and Crystal among others.
Planets_of_rock continues on the space sounds and introduces rock drums into the cosmic foray. A Roland R8 drum machine generated the drum sounds. The synths feature a ‘vacuum’ sounding effect in an eerie space setting. A deep, bass synth, similar to a Taurus pedal keeps it bleak and works well with the R8. VST synths such as Superwave P8 and Rez, TAL-Elek7ro-II were used. The breaks in the rhythm add to the tension and intrigue.
Complicated_apparatus is a shift into another gear. Cocoon explores a more conventional style using a dark rhythm section. Two close friends and collaborators join in to this otherwise solo album. Bass work by Emilio Sarpa from Taipan and drums by session player, Ren Paris. This is overlayed with synth pads and a voice sample that is nicely disturbing. There are also some vocals by Cocoon, a rare element on this album, but these vocal sounds are ‘in the music’ rather than prominent. There are many longer tracks on this album and to the writer this demonstrates the ‘stay and explore’ mentality of the artist. This track, nearly nine minutes, morphs from what starts as an alternative groove, into an ambience and then further still, almost into a state of meditation. The process reflects the lyric, where the apparatus transmits lessons directly into the brain.
Transition is based on an analogue Moog synth playing a bass sequence. The sequence prepares the listener and builds the tension for what is to come. The style and sound is in the school of Kraftwerk, pure, clean and focused. The keyboard sequence is then joined by a launch sequence! Audio from space shuttle launches has been woven in, changing the perspective and rolling the shuttle upside down at the precise moment.
The next track is one of my favourites. Motor-cycle features a motorik beat in the style of Klaus Dinger of Neu, combined with the sound of the artist’s Aprilia v-twin motorcycle. The rhythm guitar riff, played on his Telecaster, certainly confirms the Michael Rother influence. The track bubbles and boils along as the synths float by. VST synths such as Superwave P8 and Rez were used and string sounds were played on a Korg T2 workstation. The drum sequence on the Roland R8. Heavy bass riff provided by Emilio Sarpa. This track, being over eleven minutes, also morphs into an ambient reverie. This can be best described in the artist’s own words: “The track represents two phases of sports motor cycle riding. The first phase, where the rider absorbs all external sounds and sensations, and the second phase, where the rider enters ‘the zone’, only feeling his heart beat and tuned in to his thoughts and actions in total concentration.”
Take the trip is where Cocoon gets out his guitar! This album is so keyboard-heavy that it makes this ‘guitar-only’ track very refreshing. The heavy rock riff, reminiscent of so many ‘70’s Kraut bands, sounds like a heavy Ashra Tempel, This is overlaid with a Robert Fripp styled layer of guitar with an echo loop, which is also a trait of Manuel Gottsching. He played this on his Roland G-707 guitar.
To be obeyed completes the album. This track has a floaty ‘sound track’ feel giving it a dark ambience in the Goblin vein. Rich with white noise, it is an obvious tribute to the likes of Tangerine Dream and JM Jarre. Cocoon also makes a vocal appearance on this track, adding an ambient melody. VSTs used such as String Theory and K700, SQ8L and Synth1. Samples of guitar harmonics are used effectively where there is otherwise no guitar on this track.
As Cocoon rightly states in the album artwork, this is a musical thesis for him, celebrating many of the most influential artists of the Krautrock Era.
The artwork is abstract, original and well worth the purchase of the disc. All photos for the artwork are by Cocoon except for the two pics of him, which are quite ‘arty’ and suit the reclusive image of the artist.
Spaceship Cocoon is a self-release from this independent artist. Currently, the album is available exclusively through Heartland Records Melbourne Australia http://heartlandrecords.com.au/ or directly from the artist [email protected] .
The price of the album is $20 AUD which equates to approx 13,25 EUR
Postage to Germany or NL for example, add approx 4,25 EUR
This album is planned to be distributed in Europe and worldwide some time in 2014, apparently negotiations are in progress. If you can’t wait, get a copy directly from the artist and have it personalised and signed.
You can preview most of the tracks on Soundcloud and YouTube.
https://soundcloud.com/cocoonconcepts2/sets/spaceship-cocoon-2013
https://www.youtube.com/user/cocoonconcepts/videos?sort=dd&view=46&shelf_id=8&tag_id=UC9blAOgcyqbqgQh2lPDN3Rg.3.cocoon-kraut
I am a fan of all the influences mentioned above so I naturally enjoyed this disc. It is genuine, original and very intense. Looking forward to the next one!
WTMcN
Review date: April 2014
Author: William.T.McNama – Australian independent music reviewer
Rating: 5 stars – excellent
1-poor 2-not that interesting 3-worth the purchase 4-very good 5-excellent