Customer Reviews

Transfer Station

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Michael has lived a most unique music life. Playing with Santana, the Rolling Stone, and Go, he has done alot of different things in music. On "Transfer Station Blue", he adds many of these styles to his music. It is rare one can find a four track record that moves you to so many different areas of the world. The help he got from Klaus Schulze is fantastic and the guitar his brother plays is phenominal. Alas this is the only record quite like it in his catalogue, but one that is worthy of your attention.

Track 1 - A crescendo track; but at 13mins,won't get far enough for some.This is fine by me: Tangerine Dream were a bit like that (Shulze).Shrieve adds latin based,spontaneity,to dreamscape synths that are musical,not merely loops.Your player must be good enough to pick up the synths,amongst the [otherwise repetitive] percussion.
Track 2 - Shulzes baby of 5mins.More involved.In classical terms,strings held,with the Hammond organ breaking through....and the odd,synthed,rocket take off.
Track 3 - Is Track 1,again,with tablas; and with the synthesizers geared to the rhythm,not smooth.Moving into a Tom Scott section (TV program intro music; but with a guitar,not a sax).Moving back to earlier in the track: then the second section,again.Very good.12mins.
Track 4 - Is built around the guitar,that can be heard in the sample.Less dreamscape,more melody,with the synths.7mins.The mileage gained is from the play of guitar chords,which,in its total journey,must have a musical term to describe it.A very complete track.

Note the CD is only 37mins long.

I'm fussy.I'm keeping this.

I got the tape of Transfer Station Blue about 10 years ago and I have listened to it dozens of times, but I still find new sonics in it. It is one of my all time favorite pieces of music. Trouble is, you can't listen to it as background music, you have to just close your eyes and let this marvellous sound roll over you. Does anyone know if he has written anything else like this?

The music of Transfer Station Blue can transport any Arm Chair traverler away for an imaginary journey to the stars or to inner space. From slow flowing momements to a fast almost frenzied pace, the music creates a sense of movement like few others can match. Relax, sit back, and enjoy the ride.

It puts you in a very relaxed and a "get away from it all" kinda mood ! I LOVE his work ! I am a very big fan of his.

The first track, is a 13:00 min. masterpiece. Especially when your driving or relaxing at home. Transfer Station Blue makes you feel as if you are travelling in a different parallel. If you are a Sherieve fan like I am check out Abraxas Pool, or Santana Welcome. All are well worth the time to check out. Abraxas Pool and Santana Welcome are probably the most underated works done in the last 25 years. Can't wait for Michael Shrieve's next project. If anyone knows please let me know. Thanks Ike.

I have been a fan of Michael Shrieve for quite some time and this album has been out for a while. I finally purchased the CD and the drumming is fantastic ! I wish I would have had this in my collection sooner.

Michael Shrieve's Transfer Station Blue came to life in 1986. It is a magnificent electronic music album, which although played mostly on machines and not instruments gives you a strong feeling of the presence of a living soul behind it all, controlling the music at all times. 4 songs compile this album and all 4 are great. The first song Communique - Approaching Silence could be the strongest piece with a lot of rhythm in it. Following it Nucleotide is very ambient and spacey, still great. The title track Transfer Station Blue starts very quietly and progresses into a higher tempo and melodic structure. Last one, View From The Window resembles second piece again, more ambient and reflective. Michael Shrieve had released another interesting, much jazzier album Stiletto in 1989 you might want to give it a try. If you like the atmosphere of this album a lot you should to some of Klaus Schulze's work (Body Love, Timewind, X), and some of Tangerine Dream's (the band Klaus has left behind) music (Cyclone, Force Majeure, Ricochet, Underwater Sunlight, Encore).

Some years ago, I rid my collection of bland New Age electronica. This wonderful album survived the purge because this classic recording borders on avant-garde classical with its rhythms, electronic invention, and well-developed compositions. So otherworldly in its beginning, I once used the track Nucleotide in a multi-media lecture. That the album is still available after these many years validates its significance. The recording is under 38 minutes in duration, shocking little use of the CD format, but it is still worth it. If you tend to shy away from New Age electronica (with justification), or have an interest in Morton Subotnick and other electronic classical music pioneers, do consider listening to this album.

I like this album basically for the 'View From A Window' track. It is a tranquil progressive piece that is reminiscent of Tangerine Dream 'Cloudburst Flight' from Force Majeure. The acoustic guitar and synthesizer weave a very relaxing vibe. The title track 'Transfer Station Blue' has a disco feel to it like some late-70s Santana tunes. 'Nucleotide' is a drum-based track that would likely please any Michael Schrieve fan.