Album: Synthesizer Classics
Artist: various artists
2022 Cleopatra Records, Inc.
CD: CLO3053

All tracks recorded 2021
Mixed by Jürgen Engler
Mastered by Chris Lietz
Painting by Javier Carmona


Tracks:
Side A
1. Derek Sherinian: "Tubular Bells" [Mike Oldfield]
2. Rick Wakeman: "Magic Fly" [Didier David Marouani]
3. Geoff Downes: "Pulstar" [Vangelis]
4. Jordan Rudess: "Chase" [Giorgio Moroder]

Side B
5. Patrick Moraz: "Oxygene (Part 4)" [Jean-Michel Jarre]
6. Thijs van Leer: "Escape from New York" [John Carpenter/Alan Howarth]
7. Nyte Jewel: "Tour de France" [Ralf Hutter/Florian Schneider-Esleben/Maxime Schmitt/Fritz Hilpert]
8. Larry Fast: "Visitors" [Anfrando Maiola/Stefano Cundari]


Notes (***): Synthesizer Classics was released 12 Aug 2022 on CD (CLO3053CD) and purple and black splatter vinyl (CLO3053LP-PBS) by Cleopatra Records. It is the usual Cleopatra Records formula of well-known tracks, here foundational electronic and synth music, played by well-known guest musicians. These are good pieces of music, performed by good musicians, so it's a solid album, albeit there's nothing particularly surprising. The original "Tubular Bells" by Mike Oldfield is much longer this: Sherinian is playing an excerpt. (2) was originally by Space. (7) was originally by Kraftwerk. (8) was originally by Koto.

This one was put together not by Billy Sherwood, but by Cleopatra Records' other go-to guy, Jürgen Engler. Nyte Jewel (listed as Nite Jewel in places) is the unknown, with no previous activity under that name. The track has lead female vocals and additional male vocals. I would guess it was probably done by Engler.

In Aug 2022, Downes tweeted about the project: "Interesting line-up, and happy to be a part of it. Get on it folks and listen to some sizzling synthesizers! 🎹🎹🎹 🤛🏻". (HP, 8 Oct 22)

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