Earth Nation

Earth Nation is a project masterminded by Ralf Hildenbeutel, known for his work as Sven Vath's co-producer as well as other groundbreaking projects (Cygnus X, Odysee of Noises, and under his own name) completed for the EYE Q MUSIC stable of labels. After studying classical piano and music theory for ten years, he made a name for himself in the Frankfurt scene as a keyboardist, both live and in the studio. With various remixes and projects under his belt, Hildenbeutel is one of the shaping forces behind the sound of EYE Q RECORDS.

Track Listing: Way In (9.22) First Interlude (1.01) Transfiguration (9.11) Elucidate (7.20) The Ikarus Syndrome (9.01) Second Interlude (1.58) An Artificial Dream (8.33) Last Interlude (1.34) Outburst (6.12) Green Sky is Red (9.02) Mentalicity (7.24)

Released in '95 on EyeQ Records. Written and produced by Ralf Hildenbeutel. This is an excellent second album from Earth Nation, with 'The Ikarus Syndrome' being a personal fave. Shame about the waffly bits that they called 'Interludes'....hmmmmm....bit pointless really, just ambient electronica that's slows the pace down.

Track Listing: An Artificial Dream - Short Cut Mix (3.37) An Artificial Dream - Glacier Mix (8.24) An Artificial Dream - Hallucinogens Dragonfly Remix (7.47) An Artificial Dream - Partial Colour Mix (10.25) An Artificial Dream - Sonic Phase Mix (8.51)

Released in '95 on EyeQ Records. Written and produced by Ralf Hildenbeutel. The Hallucinogen remix is a scorcher - worth buying this single for and supersedes the original version by a mile.

Track Listing: Transfiguration - Chapter One (8.29) Alienated - Earth Mix (7.36) Liquid Desert - Oasis Mix (8.30)

Released in '96 on EyeQ Records. Written and produced by Ralf Hildenbeutel, except track 2, written by Ralf Hildenbeutel and Marcus Deml. I was a bit disappointed by the lack of remixes of 'Transfiguration' on this single, since I already owned tracks 2 & 3 on the excellent EYE Q compilation albums.

Track Listing: Alienated - Earth Mix (7:36) 142 BPM Alienated - Peace Mix (8:29) 142 BPM Alienated - Clouds Mix (8:10) 136 BPM

Released on EyeQ Records in '94. Written by Ralf Hildenbeutel and Marcus Deml, with the voice of Corinne Cassiani - Ingoni. The Earth Mix remains the best mix and is, in my humble opinion, one of the best tracks Earth Nation have produced to date. However, the Clouds Mix is not to be dismissed - a slow builder at quite an ambient pace - nice.

Other Info:

Earth Nation's live album, originally titled "Earth Nation - Live", is basically a repeat of Terra Incognita. They have also produced one other album prior to Terra Incognita, the details of which I'll hopefully have soon.