Uwe Cremer returns with Dunkelstunde (Dark Hour), his third release under the name of Level Pi and following on from the excellent 2006 debut Entrance and the more keyboard based electronica of 2008's Electronic Sheep. The music is still heavily inspired by classic Krautrock but this time round Cremer has moved away from the lowkey keyboard dominated music by adding plenty of guitars throughout. Even where synthesisers predominate, such as at the beginning of Der Flug Des Fernraumschiffs (poorly translated it means "The Flight Of The Lone Spaceship") the melodies and arrangements are more enticing and appealing. Tangerine Dream are still the major influence, around the mid Virgin period of Tangram and Force Majeure, which happen to be my two favourite albums by the German masters!

The album has a very good flow to it which keeps the listener engaged, particularly with the different guitar sounds, such as the strident and domineering lead on Absent Friends and the more incisive attack on Tougenkyou. There is also considerable breadth to the album, providing an abundance of variety which again helps to grab and maintain the attention; various different rhythmic patterns are cleverly instilled; harmonious melodies flow in and out with each track but never breaking the captivating spell that the album induces.

Orange Template, the long track of the album, begins with what sounds like a single note being continually bowed on a cello which instantly builds the tension, heightened when the drums begin beating out an unconventional pattern. Taking the concept of a 'slow build' to another level, Cremer manages to gradually bring in new elements with the result that the whole piece is akin to an early Pink Floyd jam. Anyone with any affinity for Live At Pompeii or the like should certainly hear this track as it is of the same ilk and of the same quality.

There is little more I can add without becoming repetitive. But where I fail as a reviewer, Cremer succeeds as a musician. Dunkelstunde Is a fine album that matches the promise of the debut album and throughout the whole running time never fails to disappoint. - MARK HUGHES - http://www.dprp.net/reviews/201201.php