Discovered the intricate, expansive soundscapes of Klaus Schulze by Russ Leetch, editor, through Vangelis and an individual record shop, broadening horizons for future post-rock explorations.
In the world of electronic music, Klaus Schulze, a German composer, stands as a towering figure, having significantly shaped the genre and the Berlin School style throughout his prolific career. With over 50 solo albums to his name, Schulze's discography is a testament to his enduring influence.
Russ Leetch, a member of the band Editors, first encountered Schulze's music in 2009. Stepping into Polar Bear Records in Birmingham, Leetch found records he had no clue existed, including Klaus Schulze's works. One album in particular, Dune, sparked a desire for Leetch to discover more of Schulze's music.
Dune, released in 1979, is known for its epic, immersive soundscapes, blending synthesizers and cello, with notable contributions such as Arthur Brown's vocals on the second track, Shadow Of Ignorance. This album has influenced post-rock and electronic artists widely. Another influential work is Moondawn, released in 1976, which provides a foundational approach to sequencer use in electronic music.
Schulze's music means a lot to Leetch. Listening to his long records allows Leetch to lose himself for a day, sometimes without remembering specific melodies, but in a trance. The thought that Schulze continues to produce more music is a wonderful thing for Leetch.
Schulze's music, as shown in Shadow Of Ignorance, creates a perfect mixture of machine versus human spirit. This theme resonated with the Editors, who, while working on their third record, In This Light and on This Evening, aimed to incorporate more synthesizers and original analogue sounds in their music.
Before his solo career, Schulze was a member of seminal electronic bands like Tangerine Dream and Ash Ra Tempel, contributing to their formative works. His discography encompasses over 40 albums, including his second album, Cyborg, which specializes in drone music.
Steve, the owner of Polar Bear Records, has a preference for the original pioneers of music, and it was his recommendation that led Leetch to consider Klaus Schulze's Dune record for a more edgy version. The Ridley Scott environment of the Blade Runner movie, with Vangelis' soundtrack, also fits well with Schulze's immersive, electronic soundscapes.
In conclusion, Klaus Schulze's music continues to influence a new generation of artists, as evidenced by his impact on Russ Leetch and the Editors. His extensive discography serves as a roadmap for electronic music, from his early explorations in Cyborg to his later works like Silhouettes and Deus Arrakis. For those seeking to delve into the rich history of electronic music, Klaus Schulze's works are a must-listen.
- Klaus Schulze's music, particularly the album Dune, caught the attention of Russ Leetch, a band member of Editors, at Polar Bear Records in Birmingham.
- The album Dune, with its unique blend of synthesizers, cello, and Arthur Brown's vocals, has significantly influenced post-rock and electronic artists, including the Editors.
- In addition to Dune, Schulze's work Moondawn, released in 1976, is another influential piece that laid the groundwork for sequencer use in electronic music.
- For Russ Leetch, Schulze's music allows him to escape into a trance, often forgetting specific melodies, but appreciating the overall immersive experience.
- The Editors, inspired by the machine-vs-human spirit theme in Schulze's music, aimed to incorporate more synthesizers and original analogue sounds in their third album, In This Light and on This Evening.
