Whether as a DJ, producer or solo artist, Ulrich Schnauss likes to lose himself into his own musical world. Born in 1977 in Kiel ('a cultural wasteland that is rural Germany'), he says "I've always used making and listening to music as a way to escape - putting on headphones is a great way to leave reality behind for a while, reminding yourself why it still makes sense to carry on".
To date, he has released three albums under his own name together with a batch of releases under pseudonyms like View To The Future and Ethereal 77.
Typical reference points for his brand of ambient music generally fall somewhere between the likes of My Bloody Valentine and Tangerine Dream.
As you would expect, the synthesiser lies at the heart of his soundscapes and it dominates this album of remixes - a collection of commissions from 2003 to 2008.
The fourteen tracks have been selected to represent those he regards as his best work, not necessarily the most commercially successful or made up of the biggest names.
While I am not familiar with most of the original versions of these tracks, I doubt that this is major handicap. I am sure Schnauss has treated the sources respectfully but, at the same time, it is plain that he has restructured the tunes to incorporate the layered, synth patterns which are synonymous with his own solo work.
The tunes positively radiate an electro-glow replete with floating textures and shimmering melodies. And they blend together so seamlessly that it is frankly hard to identify distinguishing characteristics of the individual artists.
The remixes of Asobi Seksu and I'm Not A Gun are relatively upbeat but mostly this is music to lay back and unwind to.
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Needless to say we are deep into Shoegaze territory here; a fact confirmed by the presence of ex- Slowdive artists Rachel Goswell and Mojave 3. And the ten-minute closing track, of the latter's Bluebird Of Happiness is the ideal vehicle for Schnauss. Here, their nostalgic pop, with its calming refrain "Gotta find a way back home", underpins a soothing ten minutes of classic chill out.
Personally speaking, there's only so much astral bliss I can take in one sitting, but it's a nice record to dip into when the stress level is rising high and it would also serve as a perfect beginner's guide to the world of dream pop.
The full track list is as follows:
1 Howling Bells: Setting Sun 3.43
2 A Sunny Day in Glasgow: Ghost in the Graveyard 4.17
3 Katharina Franck: Faithful Friend 5.35
4 Madrid: Out to Sea 6.20
5 Asobi Seksu: Strawberries 3.44
6 Dragons: Remembrance 4.34
7 Aus: Halo 5.22
8 Mahogany: Supervitesse 5.30
9 Lunz (Roedelius & Tim Story): Lunz 5.07
10 Rachel Goswell: Coastline 5.23
11 High Violets: Chinese Letter 5.40
12 Mark Gardener: Story of the Eye 4.20
13 I'm Not a Gun: Make Sense and Loose 4.47
14 Mojave 3: Bluebird of Happiness 9.56
Total playing time - 74 mins
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