Peter Mergener & Klaus Hoffmann-Hoock - Visions of Asia

2.5

Release data:

Peter Mergener & Klaus Hoffmann-Hoock – Visions of Asia
CD, BSC/Prudence, 2006

These two experienced German musicians already contributed on one track of each of their former albums. This is their first full-length release for which Hoffmann-Hoock did all the sound design, but one can clearly hear that each track carries a stronger signature of one of them.

The accessible up-tempo opening track “Cinnamon” carries strong resemblance to the melodic sound and approach of Double Fantasy, while the second track has Software hints but a much warmer overall sound.
“Road to Mandalay” is the only more spiced track with powerful Mind over Matter guitar solo’s.
“Dreams of Tibet” is nice dreamy, almost soothing sound painting, but the last three tracks definitely are the weakest part of the album.
The empty sounding “Deuda” features some sitar which noodles on and on, while “Shakti” and “Visions of China” sound even less inspired. They just sound like flat-out album-fillers.

In all it’s only the first half of the album that’s really worth listening.

You can see what reviews I have done of this artist on the Peter Mergener artist page