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Roedelius

The Diary of the Unforgotten (Selbstportrait VI)

(Bureau B; US: 8 Jun 2010; UK: 3 May 2010)

Though famously known as the co-founder of the groundbreaking experimental German outfit Cluster, Hans-Joachim Roedelius also harbors an impressive cache of material that he created on his own which rivals the accomplishments he has achieved with longtime creative partner Dieter Moebius. The Diary of the Unforgotten gathers a variety of home recordings crafted between his duties in Cluster and Harmonia and collaborating with Brian Eno during the years spanning 1972 and 1978. These are primarily lo-fi, improvised sound sketches, or “self-portraits” as the artist calls them, that reflect the pastoral calm of the riverbank behind his house. Synching up the synthesized atmospherics of the studio so they move as one with the water, meadow, farm animals, and passing wildlife outside his window, Roedelius offers listeners a glimpse into the solitude of his creative process with these ten compositions—something that anyone who has been following his legendary career can appreciate.

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Ron Hart is currently enjoying his 11th year as a professional music journalist. In addition to PopMatters, he has also written for such publications as CMJ, Billboard.com, SPIN.com, The Village Voice, Gear, Paper, SHOUT NY, Paperthinwalls.com, Blender, Yellow Rat Bastard, Good Times, Paste, and Barnesandnoble.com among others. He is also the editor and publisher of the Interboro Rock Tribune, a free NYC music zine now in its 6th year in print. Please give us traffic on our website at http://www.irtmag.com.


Related Articles
13 Oct 2011
Given Roedelius' skill on the ivories and the beautiful sound of the Steinway Grand which he plays, Plays Piano is a pretty listen, even if structurally it is confusing.
14 Aug 2009
Before Komische got gaudy, Roedelius released a haunting wind-up ambient work of austere joy.
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