E-Live 2008 (2008)

CD 1
01 Set 1 - 42:25
02 Set 2 Part 1 - 35:14
CD 2
03 Set 2 Part 2 - 10:30
04 Set 3 - 31:37
05 Empty Space (bonus) - 33:35

Recorded 11 October 2008 at E-Live, Eindhoven, The Netherlands at their first live performance.
The bonus track "Empty Spaces" is recorded live at Smokescreen Studio on 24 October.

Released 10/2008 on Musiczeit

Listen to 'Live Set 1 - Phil's Bootleg (single)':

>> Review
Chuck van Zyl / STAR'S END 26 March 2009

While out exploring the aural universe one would be most fortunate to come in contact with Dutch Space Mission (Epple E. Hulshof and Bert Hülshoff). Their floating electronic cosmos-scapes will cause the light years to pass quickly and the inter-stellar sights to be all the more wondrous to the traveler. Each of the four compositions on their live recording E-Live 2008 (153'21") begin very quietly. The duo may just be testing out their gear but more likely they are helping the audience align with the rhythm of space. The ethereal slow dance of tones nearly dissolves into glowing light as a thousand shards of spinning sounds go tinkling upward. Their lush abstract space narrows under rising sequencer patterns as motor-like rhythms steadily gain momentum and extend this voyage into tonal regions. Above echoing synchronization, calm lead melodies wind out. With realizations similar to, but somewhat more raw in execution than their fellow countrymen and space brothers Free System Projekt, Dutch Space Mission's elliptical voyages conclude where they began - in tumultuous layers of swirling sound. Like whispers in space their music leaves as much to the imagination as it reveals.

>> Review
Sylvain Lupari from Guts Of Darkness
The French Magazine of Dark & Experimental Music

Recorded during the E-Live 2008 festival, this 2nd opus of the Dutch duet Dutch Space Mission is a "rendez-vous" for fans of retro Berlin School EM with a strong cosmic and atmospheric tint which becomes accustomed well enough, in spite of the length of the titles.

A soft floating synth opens the very atmospheric Set I. Intriguing waves on sound serpentines which drain away its keys as the hourglass filters the sand, the intro of Set I is an oblong litany which could easily be compare to the soft development of 2001 A Space Odyssey. Here, everything is spatial and atmospheric with an outfit of sound effects which flow into a cold nothingness, as if our subconscious was within range of cosmos. A long atonal introduction, with dramatic passages, other crystal clear, shaken by a weak sequential fifth at about the 11th minute which animates hardly this long piece of 42 minutes. The cybernetic waltz waves in the abstract cosmic adornment to stormy atmospheres where spatial magnetic thunderstorms darken the ambiguous harmonies until a magnificent sequence gives life around the 28th minute. A hypnotic sequence which is divided into halves, to offer a charming echotic reflection, before picking up again the peculiarity of its movement, to finally getting lost in the mists of an agglutinating cosmos.

The intro of Set II Part I embraces the same atmospheric strides. The tone is heavy and resonant, to melt eardrums. The ball of stars livens up on a beautiful synthesized waltz which is bitten by a sequential movement to hopping which crescendo on a coiling synth. A bass sequence multiplies its movements, creating a nervous rhythm around a synth to discreet choirs. Some beautiful sequences wind this segment and animate Set II with a rain of solos which gradually calm the movement. A long and well
structured retro Berlin School, even if widely improvised.

After a short cosmic intro Set II Part II develops a hypnotic sequence which surrounds the movement with a beautiful line of bass, surrounded by metallic strata. The sequence stays minimalism behind a curtain of sound effects to multiple echoes. A soft and pleasant passage which generates a beautiful synth movement with guttural arpeggios, creating a strange mathematical speech on a sequence which becomes more hopping and alive. Someone would say to me that Dutch Space Mission speaks to ET's that I won't be amazed. Another good moment on E-Live on 2008.

The first part of Set III is one of the strongest moments of this 2nd collaboration of Eppie E Hulshof and Bert Hülshoff. A fine crystal clear sequence drains in a puddle of melodious synths which remind the most beautiful moments of Software. Hypnotic, the movement progresses with an angelic sweetness on sequences jolts and fine orchestral arrangements on this very melodious and hypnotic structure. The movement livens up a little more on a bass sequence which hems on another limpid one, auscultated by a synth to cyclic hazes and keys of cosmic bows. A delightful musical moment which switches subtly its orientations, respecting its harmonious bases. Good candy for retro Berlin School fans who are served by one psychedelic atmospheric finale, witness of the versatility of the Dutch duet.

Written in studio, Empty Space is as well empty as its title indicates it. A long piece, a little in the vein of Set I, but with a more psychedelic-spatial approach. For fan of the borders of cosmos which like be woken by a nervous sequential structure, strongly inspired by Set I.

Faithful to their traditions, Von Haulshoven and Phrozenlight offer long slow evolutions musical pieces, keeping the necessary ground for improvisations which always ended by the musical complicity in an order of stunning progressions. A double album which will please the amateurs of retro Berlin School, with its long cosmic intros which clear in the furrowsof creative sequencers and beautiful synth solos in morphic layers of a cosmos with intriguing atmospheres. A good musical experience available on the site of MusicZeit or AmbientLive.