In their long history of more or less official split-ups, reunions and new split-ups, »Apropos Cluster« from 1990 was the first Cluster record Dieter Moebius and Hans-Joachim Roedelius recorded together after a break of almost a decade. Initially not released as a Cluster album at all, but under the names Moebius + Roedelius, it is also Cluster’s first sign of life from the digital age. During the recordings in Roedelius’ Vienna studio, the duo used samplers alongside grand pianos and analogue synthesisers. The opening track »Grenzgänger« is characterised by sparse string pizzicatos, processed voice samples and brassy wind instruments. Structurally, »Apropos Cluster« largely continues where »Curiosum« left off in 1981 – with free-abstract improvisations that sometimes care little about tonality or particularly comprehensible melodies. One of the exceptions is the short »Emmental«, which clearly bears Roedelius’ signature with its slightly romantic piano section. Finally, the very last notes of the record could be understood as a nostalgic longing for their own musical past; in a slightly alienated form, a short piano motif from their 1976 album »Sowiesoso« can be heard – from a number entitled »Es war einmal«.
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Records Revisited: Cluster – Zuckerzeit (1974)
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Apropos Cluster
