The debut from Cosmic Hoffmann, who could be considered the next gen of Manuel Gottsching, even if he was older (Klaus Hoffman-Hoock passed away before Gottsching in 2017). Mind Over Matter was his primary outlet, and I enjoy the one album I have by them (see below). But the vehicle known as Cosmic Hoffmann brought out his inner Ashra. It's sequencers and electric guitar, plain and simple. I own the first three albums with this moniker, and I'm thinking the next two are a little better, but it's been forever since I heard them (as was the case here too). Ownership: 1999 Heart and Mind (CD). Booklet with a short biography from Hoffman-Hoock. Acquired in 2002.2002 (first listen); 2/3/23 (review)
The Colours of Life (1988)
I've been a fan of Klaus Hoffmann-Hoock for a long time, but as Cosmic Hoffmann rather than as the leader of Mind Over Matter. Word on the street said these albums were more geared towards the New Age crowd, than the Berlin Electronic / Ashra inspired Cosmic Hoffmann works. Perhaps that's true to some extent, but at least on Colours of Life, Hoffmann demonstrates a wide variety of world music, both in texture, melody, and arrangements. The tones are clearly late 1980's sounding, but in the good sense. And Hoffmann still provides some wonderful lead guitar lines right out of the Manuel Gottsching cookbook. The Colours of Life is a rich, beautiful album.
Ownership: 1988 Innovative Communications (CD). Contains four bonus tracks, that are as good as the album itself. Acquired in 2012.
5/17/12 (review)
Also own and need to review: Shiva Connection; Electric Trick
5/17/12 (new entry)
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