Legowelt – Amiga Railroad Adventures (2009) [Strangelife Records] // Grade: B-

While I’m more a fan of Legowelt’s masterpieces Dark Days and Reports from the Backseat Pimp, it’s hard to ignore the composer’s success with Amiga Railroad Adventures. The Hague, Netherlands is home to one of the most intense form of electronic music, Gabber. In fact, when I was there 5 years ago, it’s all I heard. Had I not wandered into Rush Hour records in Amsterdam after leaving the Hague, I wouldn’t have brought back any local music. While I was flipping through the stacks albums, I came across Reports from the Backseat Pimp. I was hooked.

I eventually collected most of his work and when I saw Amiga Railroad Adventures had been released, I was pretty excited in the hopes it would resemble his earlier work but was instead a bit let down. The album beeps along to the tune of his LP, Beyond the Congo and his most recent releases. That being said, it’s still a great album and one shouldn’t judge an artist’s work based on previous compositions, right?

Legowelt’s sound is influenced heavily by Chicago and Detroit house. In Amiga Railroad Adventures you can pick up on this, but the landscapes are far more digital and dream-like. The first few tracks are very unique and catchy. It’s hard not to bounce along as each track finishes and the next one begins. With 16 songs and over an 70 minutes of playing time, there’s plenty to explore and acquaint, or reacquaint yourself with.

“Lufthansa 1983″ and “A Powerful Vision” are my two favorites on the album and I’m not sure why. I shouldn’t act surprised though at the landscape he’s created. As Legowelt describes the album in his own words:

Made on the mighty Amiga 1200 running the Octamed sequencer, a TR808, a couple of Korg modulars and some old effects boxes.

If that sounds like it’d be up your alley, do pick it up. If you want more Detroit and Chicago house influence, go pick up Reports From The Back Seat Pimp. “Pussy Electronics” will make your seat bounce.