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Comments and reviews ....
I would imagine that to
many of you Peter Tedstone would be a new name but he
has actually been releasing music since the early eighties. Over the years
he has
turned his hands to quite a few styles. 'Timeslip' however is the first in
a series
that unashamedly and with huge success concentrates on 70s style Berlin
School music. Grumbling, brooding electronic effects ooze attitude.
Mellotron
choir strikes up followed by a lonesome lead line. All we need is a
sequence to
complete the picture and sure enough, in the wake of sonic blasts, more
tron and
a superb mournful lead line, those slow deep echoing pulses arrive. The
sequence
increases in pace, a second one is added and in quick time we are belting
along in
a wonderful mid seventies style paradise. A staccato lead line and driving
rhythm
are deployed and the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end- this is
awesome
stuff! The sequences, mellotron, rhythm and various lead lines all take
their turns to
come and go, morphing as they do so, creating an ever changing pattern,
each mini
section sounding even better than the last. Some 'retro' musicians are OK
at sequences
and other have a feel for melody Peter seems to have a gift for both. I
couldn't believe it
when the twenty-one minute track had come to an end surely I had only been
listening to it
for a fraction of that time.
More mellotron and 'Ricochet' type sounds greet us for 'Part 2'. When the
sequence arrives it is at least as impressive as the previous examples:
deep,
powerful and with a certain 'attitude'. This is perfectly complimented by
steady but forceful drums around which the sequence gains even greater
oomph.
We follow a similar pattern to the first track when a second more melodic
sequence comes in. Again Peter acts as the master conductor in wielding
each
element perfectly so that the excitement is retained throughout. There is
no
setting a sequencer going and coming back to it ten minutes here. We get a
rather 'Encore' feel to the beginning of 'Part 3' though the sequence
could
have come from a couple of years later - but what a sequence! It belts
along at
quite a rate, hitting the spot perfectly. An excellent bass throb is
deployed
at just the right time to give added depth. In the thirteenth minute we
descend
to almost pure mellotron in isolation but then of course the sequences
then rhythms
re-emerge with added vigour, as does a scything lead.
If you like your Berlin School this is a real must buy.
David Law /
Synth Music Direct /
MusicZeit
Timeslip is the first in Peter Tedstone's 'Time' themed Berlin School albums, and over the course
of its three sections, does an excellent job of channeling the sound of the late 70s into a new era.
Part 1 starts with some scene-setting sounds and effects, before mellotron strings appear with
some stark chords; shortly after, the mellotron's flute joins the mix, and what will eventually
become a sequence appears. These first few minutes are dramatic and thoroughly impressive,
and the effect doesn't let up for the album's 55 minute duration. Slow, marching percussion is
added, and later on in the first part, the flute's lonesome melody is replaced by a synthesised
lead. The music ebbs and flows, with sequence, melody and rhythm stopping, starting and
modulating over the course of the piece. While some modern Berlin School music takes the
era as an influence, Peter Tedstone is evidently attempting to recreate all aspects of the mood
and sound of the movement, and is incredibly successful. The second part is more uplifting and
exploratory in feel and relatively compact at a mere 13 minutes.
The album returns to its darker roots for the strongest piece, the third and final section.
Building up again from mysterious mellotron chords, a short melodic phrase repeats and
adds tension as the piece gradually gains momentum, chords, sequences and drums
slotting into place. Just as the tension is about to burst, a solo rips in and we reach the
climax of the album. After several minutes of improvised melody, the piece slowly draws
away at the right time, leaving the listener wanting more.
Timeslip comes highly recommended to anybody interested in the current Berlin School
scene, and to fans of the original movement interested in modern equivalents that remain
faithful to its sound without ever sounding derivative. The album's engaging sequences,
strong melodies and superb atmospheric passages are all equally satisfying, and I am
looking forward to exploring the later volumes of Peter Tedstone's Time series immensely.
Ross Baker
About
Peter Tedstone ....
Peter started playing music at around the age of eight, learning the
violin and
recorder at school and also used to bash away at his father's piano.
During his
teens Peter attempted to teach himself the guitar without much success,
being left
handed was probably a contributing aspect but this didn't stop him being
in several
teen bands though.
Peter started playing keyboards with various 'pub' bands in the late
seventies and
early eighties and following a visit to the first UK Electronica at Milton
Keynes,
decided to launch a solo career and released 'Eve of Dawn' in 1983.
After his third album 'Prismatic' was released in 1984, Peter was invited
by Andy G
(of Lotus Records, who sold Peter's albums) to play in the afternoon
set at
Stafford Gatehouse Theater at UK Electronica 1986. Peter was then invited
back to
the next year's UK Electronica as opening support to the evening
headliners,
Wavestar.
Peter continued to release albums up to the end of the decade by which
time, with
the advent of digital samplers, his music had taken on a more experimental
vein.
Peter then decided to take a few years off and returned to his solo work
in 2000.
Peter released the techno influenced album 'Dreamstates' in 2001 and 'Zwölf'
released
in 2002 was a very successful album of melodic EM. In 2007 Peter recorded
'Timeslip', the first of his Berlin School inspired albums in the 'Time'
series.
Peter has also started a series of space ambient albums, the first of
these was the
free download, 'Dark Memories' followed by the 'Origins of Species' album.
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