Fans of modern Berlin School music will want to check out Coil, the latest album from synthesist and DiN label head Ian Boddy.
Like his previous release, Axiom, the new album showcases Boddy’s creative synth work on a collection of tracks inspired by ‘vintage electronic music’.
Here, Boddy makes use of a wealth of classic and modern synthesis tools, including:
Serge & Eurorack modular systems
Roland System 100-M
Buchla Easel Command
Make Noise 0-Coast
Moog Voyager & Matriarch
Novation Summit
VCS3
Analogue Systems French Connection
Analogue Solutions Generator
Spectrasonics Omnisphere
Kontakt playing sample libraries by Spitfire Audio & Soniccouture
Ableton Live
Here’s the official album description:
“Whilst there are many focusing in on the world of possibilities of modular synths to the detriment of form and composition Boddy uses his 40 plus years of experience to create six succinct slices of analogue warmth and emotion.
The title track which opens procedures is a case in point. Boddy crams into its seven minutes more drama than many would manage in a side length track. Soft textural chords soon give way to a pulsing arpeggiator playing from his venerable Roland System 100-M modular. Just when the piece seems to be settling into a cyclical groove a series of transpositions move the harmonic interest along before a climax of percussion and synth textures soar toward a stunning crescendo.
The next piece, “Messiaen M31”, in contrast is a calm, floating track with an unusual harmonic chord progression based on Olivier Messiaen’s music theory with a beautiful Ondes Martenot style solo line. “Rings” features layers of sequencers and arpeggios that twist and turn through various key changes toward another stunning climax.
“Teutonium” is pure Berlin School with a thundering Moog bass line interspersed with edgy, glitchy interjections before subsiding to the calm, gentle fluctuations of “Flow”.
Finally “Silver Surfer” is a slice of Synthwave fun featuring the crisp tones of the 100-M set against a syncopated bass line and a beautiful Ondes Martenot duet over a transposing sequencer line.”
Coil is available now via Bandcamp on CD, vinyl and digital. You can preview Coil below:
Beautiful composition. So refreshing to here a through-composed piece of electronic music that doesn’t rely on monotonous loops, filter sweeps, and 3 or 4 chords in only one key so common today. This piece takes you places – a journey with highs and lows; leaves me with a sense of being elevated and transformed having heard it – a true work of art. Kudos Ian – I got wrapped up in the journey, not the techniques and equipment used. Can’t wait to listen to the other tracks.
Rather want to hear a song from coil – named: Ian boddy