Selbstportrat Wahre Liebe

Hans-Joachim Roedelius has released some of his most reflective solo work as part of the long-running Selbstportrait series, which he initiated back in 1979. Wahre Liebe is at least the series ninth installment (unlike most of the earlier volumes, this one is unnumbered), but it maintains such a consistent sound with the others that its mind-boggling to think that the series spans six decades. Roedelius recorded the album using the same pieces of equipment that he used back in the 70s, including a Farfisa organ and a Fender Rhodes, so perhaps it isnt so surprising that it has such a vintage sound. Regardless, the music is sweet, soothing, and often playful, particularly on tracks like the nearly carousel-like minimalist organ patterns of Ebenfalls. Opener Spiel im Wind is an absolutely gorgeous piece of glimmering snowfall which echoes Clusters mid-70s best. Standing apart from the rest of the disc is the 15-minute conclusion Aus Weiter Ferne, a much more isolated composition which feels like a gradual outward drifting toward complete and total freedom. Simply incredible, timeless, and placeless music. ~ Paul Simpson