Detailed Reviews [Lambert - 2023 - "Bon Courage"]

Prolusion. German composer and musician Lambert Ringlage have been an active creator of electronic music for several decades at this point, with the majority of his material released through his own label Spheric Music. His latest studio effort is called "Bon Courage", and was released in the fall of 2023.

Analysis. I see that Tangerine Dream is cited as a major inspiration for Lambert's ventures into the realm of progressive electronic music, and while I do hear those tendencies throughout - especially in terms of using vintage sounding instruments and keyboards - I do find that comparisons for the total impression and associations I get from listening to this album goes in a slightly different direction. While both minimalist details and certain Berlin School vibes are very much notable elements here, the compositions as such strikes me as being rather more atmospheric laden in general nature and many of the songs perhaps a bit more steady going in momentum than what I'd often associate with the likes of Tangerine Dream. Instead I did find myself thinking quite a bit about the early days of Vangelis when I gave this album a good listen. While the manner in which instruments are used and the sounds that have been chosen may well be closer to the legendary Germans references, the mood, atmosphere and generally accessible nature of the landscapes explored are for me more in line with what the late Greek keyboard wizard mentioned did in his younger days. Especially on his more adventurous and more expressive excursions. The ebbs and flows of the landscapes are generally pleasant, when a staccato structure is in use the dramatic edges are present but never overpowering, and a gentle touch is generally applied when keyboards or synthesizers executes surges or explore fluctuating, layered patterns. This is music and these are landscapes that should have a fairly broad appeal, with those fond of the ambient sides of progressive electronic music just as much a key demographic as those who consider early 80s Vangelis and Jean-Michel Jarre to be vital artists in the realm of music as art and entertainment. Some of the creations here have a little bit of a sacral touch to them, although if that is a planned or accidental feature I do not know. Other compositions appear to look back to the 1970s for inspiration at least as far as the keyboard and synthesizer sounds are concerned, while the 1980s and the more accessible and inviting electronic music of that era may have had a greater impact on rhythms, motion, movement and structure. At least that is the impression I get. If that is a flawed impression or not is a matter of discussion of course: While I do know a lot about a great variety of music, progressive electronic music isn't a category of material where I have any deep or extensive knowledge to draw upon.

Conclusion. While I do find this latest album by Lambert to be an accessible and inviting affair, and one that possibly will have it's main appeal among a more strict ambient music audience than among the more niche progressive electronic music crowd, there's plenty to enjoy on this production and in particular if you find music of the latter category to be generally interesting. In my view at least I'd say that those who find artists such as Vangelis and Jean-Michel Jarre to be generally interesting and the albums they released prior to 1985 to be vital should be something of a core audience for this most recent album by Lambert.

Progmessor: March 2024
The Rating Room