This album is a sound explosion! Inspired by classical harmonies
and beats that groove to hell, Superdirt2 (Ras Tilo (electro, programming) and
Käpt'n Dirt (cello) recorded their first full-length album.
The album is a synergism of what they believe music ought to be: nine tracks consumed by a deep emotional feeling, completed by an ecstatic and overwhelming groove character.
All of this is conveyed through their compulsive need to share their passion of
music to everyone who is ready to celebrate the party, which is called life.
This album consists of three of the Suites for Unaccompanied Cello by JS Bach
performed on the mandola, which is tuned an octave higher than the cello and
played with the fingers rather than a bow. Albert Schweitzer made the famous
statement that Bach often appears to be writing for some theoretical "universal"
instrument rather than a specific instrument.
Mystery surrounds the cello suites. Unlike Bach's solo violin works, no original
manuscript has been found although copies exist. As a result, many
interpretations of the cello suites have been made with no sole accepted
version. The cello suites are thought to be written around 1720, about the same
time as the solo violin Sonatas and Partitas. The original violin solos were
found not in Bach's native Saxony, but in Petersburg, Russia some 90 years after
his death. They were almost used as cheap secondhand wrapping paper in a butcher
shop. Fortunately an astute customer decided to investigate the origin of the
manuscript. It has been posited that perhaps the next customer didn't consider
what was given to him as wrapping paper and used the original cellos suites as a
fire-starter in his hearth.
Stargazing is an album with acoustic guitar instrumentals, sometimes with the accompaniment of double bass, (electric) piano or marimba.
Although there are no lyrics, each of the tunes on this album has a story connected to it. The title track of this album, Stargazing, depicts an imaginary scene of a lone traveller. He plays his harmonica at a campfire and wonders what life is all about in the deserted wilderness under a wide, star speckled sky. In the background, one can hear the accompaniment of crickets and the crackling of a wood fire.
The Dutch magazine Muziekwereld reviewed this album and wrote:
"Emiel Stöpler is a talented composer, but on this album, we also hear a gifted guitarist who very accurately plays fingerstyle [guitar], with an impressive sense of detail and timing. The recordings are clear and placed directly in the mix, which does justice to the impressive and atmospheric guitar playing. The repertory is diverse, ranging from pop to ragtime and jazz to latin flavors."
A perfect blend of acoustic and ethnic instruments, with evolving textures and delicate passionate voices. Detailed arrangements and meticulous recordings bring New Age music to a new level.
Featuring award-nominated and two-time finalist song Farewell.
Emotion, passion, serenity, are only a few of the feelings that this music will evoke within you. As the album name suggests, something as grandiose as nature is intended to be reflected with every note in this music.
The album has a great flow thanks to the unique feel to each song that seldom overstay its welcome. In terms of uniqueness, the album is initially pushed by soothing voices and the warmth of the strings, to the beauty of haunting piano melodies joined by the deep and resonating sound of the cello. The album alternates between different sounding passages until it reaches its end; but each iteration is warm, peaceful, and engaging on a relaxing level.