Frank Van Bogaert web site Closer review page

Frank Van Bogaert :Closer (Groove Unlimited GR-112)

My favorite release is Frank Van Bogaert's new album "Closer". It grabbed me
in places where music seldom came before. The melodies and songs are in the
vain of the best works of Vangelis but with an own feel and style, second to
none. Here the master is equaled by Frank in all areas except for the
bombastic pieces. And I think that this is only because there are no
bombastic pieces on "Closer". All tracks are gems that shine in a magical
musical light. For me a milestone in melodic electronic music.

Ron Boots, E-news oct.2004

FRANK VAN BOGAERT. Closer GR-112

Frank Van Bogaert's latest release maintains the high standards set on
his previous four albums which makes it a must-have for lovers of
grandiose, symphonic & distinctly beautiful synthmusic.
As soon as the uplifting & dynamic title track gets underway it's
obvious that Frank has stolen the crown that Vangelis once wore,
building from a single bassline that is soon augmented by tympanic
flourishes & fine piano work which then builds towards the uplifting &
dynamic chorus. This uplifting feel has always been an important
element of Frank's work & it continues during the following "Coming Up
For Air" with its sumptuous blend of symphonic sounds & choir voices, a
mixture that works just as well on the ethnic-flavoured "Rorogwela" in
unison with some beautifully understated piano work, all of which makes
a real treat for the heart that's not in the slightest bit twee due to
the genuinely emotional music he creates; just listen to the
bittersweet "Falling Leaves" for proof of this & on the same note if
the heart-melting mix of gentle synth swells & Frank De Ruytter's sax
that graces "High Above" doesn't make you feel all warm & romantic
inside then your heart must be a cold barren wasteland. "Good Morning
Song" gives Frank the chance to demonstrate his considerable piano
skills, again in unison with an expert mix of symphonics & a touch of
analogue rhythms at the start. This might sound like a bad combination
but the latter's influence is so negligable that it hardly counts but
it is welcome just for that little bit of variety it brings. As the
album nears its end the pace becomes noticeably slower & sedate with
"Sweetness" again benefitting from a nice mix of piano & strings before
"Night Brings Silence" takes this one step further as isolated piano
notes fall like snowdrops over a static backdrop that is punctuated by
a pallette rich strings here & there.
Throughout the album it's again obvious that Frank's musical &
compositional skills are virtually unequalled in the current EM scene,
in fact the only thing that gets me down is why isn't he selling as
many albums as Vangelis? Surely no-one can doubt that he deserves no
less!

Mick Garlick,Sequences Magazine,UK

Closer is Frank Van Bogaert’s 5th release and another gem in a series of releases that began back in 1998 with Colours. This CD really sparkles as Frank shows off his keyboard skills and his ability to create great grooves with depth and feeling. The music on this CD is a mixed bag and moves easily from the up tempo tracks that bounce to atmospheric tracks that offer the listener a relaxing place to hang out and drift away. Frank manages to do this without having jagged cuts from one style to another which allows the listener to move smoothly through the entire CD.
There are quite a number of tracks on this release with 14 songs that run for 64’17” which gives the listener a rather nice variety of music to choose from all in one package. Some highlights that should provide listeners with more than enough reason to pick up this CD include the title track Closer that comes out with a snyth beat that drives the song forward and some keyboards that give it a down to earth feel at the same time.

Having been a fan of Deep Forest’s 1st CD, it was interesting to see Frank’s interpretation of Sweet Lullaby here on his CD. This is an excellent effort by Frank to mark this melody with his own style and make the song memorable again. Very recognizable as the melody that sticks in your head after you have heard it a few times but also very much a product of Frank Van Bogaert’s skillful rendering of the song in his own style.

Another favorite song from this package is called Dans which is track 11. This is a beat heavy track with some very deep bass lines and a creative use of voices to add to the overall feeling of the song. One of my quiet favorites is Falling Leaves a delicate song that evokes the feeling of fall or winter with a sparse use of instrumentation and where the keyboard in the form of a piano takes center stage. It reminds one of the great piano music that used to come out of Windham Hill and Narada with the likes of David Lanz. While the song is rather short at 3:21 it is definitely a spotlight on Frank’s more than capable abilities as a keyboard player.

All in all this is a well balanced set of songs that is both accessible and entertaining. Frank sounds as if he is having a fun time exploring a variety of musical styles and we the listeners have the benefit of tagging along for the ride. Definitely some smooth grooves that would fit quite nicely into a jazz setting ala Caleidoscope where Frank De Ruytter offers us some tasty sax licks. Frank Van Bogaert also offers up some great beats as well as some thoughtful and reflective tunes as well. A great set that would be welcome in most anyone’s music collection. Recommended.

Reviewed by Michael Foster (Jan 2005)

The music of Belgian composer Frank Van Bogaert has always fascinated me.
Ever since the first time I listened to “Geographic” (his second album) , his musical style got the hooks in me .. and I think this may well be the same for all people who love electronic music in the style of Vangelis or even… Jean Michel Jarre.
By colleague reviewers he is often called the “ Belgian Vangelis”, , which in my opinion is not an inappropriate comparison , but I really have to emphasize on the fact that he has has developed his own personal sound which has ofcourse influences of the great Greek, but is always very recognizable as “Van Bogaert”.

My first impression is that “Closer” is a more intimate album than “ Colours”, “Geographic”,” Docking “and ” Human”, his previous releases .
The themes (and there are quite some themes here) are often, less rhythmic and more relaxing.
Although in Frank’s work the piano (acoustic or electric) has always played a prominent role on “Closer” it has even become more prominent.

“Closer” , the opening and title track of the CD, is a more up-tempo track with lush synth sounds and swirling effects, in fact it immediately sounds like “vintage Van Bogaert” .
The song is entirely build around a simple but very catchy melody, one of Frank’s strengths.
This same theme can be heard again on track 7, ”Closer (reprise)” , but in a different and more acoustic arrangement , again showing the strength of this melody.
“Coming up for air” , the next track, brings back the atmosphere Vangelis created in his 90’s works like Oceanic and Voices. In fact , this kind of relax atmosphere is a bit the main feel of the album.
“Rorogwela”, is a traditional theme ,original from the Solomon islands, and one that has also been interpreted by Jan Garbarek and by Deep Forest (also one of Frank’s inspiration sources). This theme,known all around the world because of Deep Forest’s giant hit “Sweet Lullaby” , really gets a second life by the typical style of the Belgian . It sometimes reminds me of Mike Oldfield.

As I have already mentioned, on this album (with a total of 14 tracks) the slow themes and relaxing pieces are more present than ever .
You really should listen to pearls like “Falling Leaves” or “A Picture of you” , where he plays the piano in such an intimate way ….
Other ,more medium tempo tracks like “Caleidoscope” or “Europe’s Dawn” are very surprising because of the way the mixture between electronics and acoustic instruments is evolving to a kind of symphonic grandeur.
“Dans [da:ns]” , the most rhythmic track of the album,starts with great orchestral sounds and evolves gradually to a very powerful sequencer rhythm.
There’s just so much energy in this track !

The last track “Night Brings Silence” , carried by delicious melodies, great soundscapes and accompanied by sparse and gentle piano notes, takes us to the the end of this album.
This is just the way an epilogue should be.
.
If you already own previous work of this Belgian musician ,Closer,although a bit different, will certainly not dissapoint.
If you don’t ,and like the music of the musicians I mentioned, it is sure that Frank Van Bogaert needs to be discovered by you !

www.progweb.tk

Frank van Bogaert maakt zeker geen echte progressieve rock, maar voor een artiest van eigen bodem maken we graag een plaatsje vrij op onze site. Vooral omdat veel liefhebbers van progrock niet afkerig staan tegen elektronische muziek. Frank, eigenaar van de gereputeerde ACE-studio in Aartselaar, maakt elektronische muziek die heel sterk tegen de ambient aanleunt.

Met Closer is hij aan zijn vijfde cd toe en de internationale bijval die hij krijgt, maakt dat we bezwaarlijk naast zijn werk kunnen kijken. Zijn muziek wordt erg gewaardeerd door documentairemakers die er de perfecte sfeerschepping in terugvinden. Zelfs tot in Japan heeft hij zich op die manier toegang verschaft. In 2000 kreeg hij zelfs drie awards van de Duitse radio WDR, o.a. voor beste artiest in het genre.

Wie zich aan vergelijkingen waagt, komt al gauw uit bij Vangelis. Het is duidelijk dat van Bogaert veel naar deze grote componist heeft geluisterd. Dit betekent zeker niet dat hij de grootmeester in het genre copiëert, verre van, maar de invloeden zijn duidelijk hoorbaar. Je zou kunnen stellen dat Vangelis-invloeden de basis leggen voor Franks muziek, maar de modernere ambient klanken geven de nummers een eigen karakter.

Van Bogaert heeft ook duidelijk iets met wereldmuziek. Af en toe herken je zeer basic, bijna primitieve ritmes in zijn muziek die je meevoeren naar een wereld zonder grenzen. Zo is Rorogwela een pareltje dat gebaseerd is op een traditionele melodie van de Solomon-eilanden dat je doet wegdromen op een ritme dat de geur van grote regenwouden en uitgestrekte savannes met zich meevoert. Onmiddellijk daaropvolgend laat je de aarde los om de hemel te gaan verkennen in High Above. Elke vorm van ritme wordt hier - in groot contrast met het vorige nummer - losgelaten om de dromerige klanken van de synthesizers hun volle invloed te laten uitoefenen.

Deze cd is duidelijk met veel vakmanschap gemaakt en aan de productie is te horen dat er niets aan het toeval werd overgelaten. Het grootste dat Vangelis zo hoog in zijn vaandel voert is ook hier af en toe te horen en geeft de muziek iets magistraals (Melting; Dans). Ik kan me best voorstellen dat filmmakers daarvoor vallen. De variatie die in de cd zit, biedt de luisteraar een reis aan die voert van de ambient tot aan de randen van de new-age muziek. De wereldmuziek-invloeden stammen uit meer dan één cultuur en maken dat deze cd nooit gaat vervelen.

Eén ding is jammer. Van Bogaert waagt het nergens om de stap naar de echte prog-geluiden te zetten, hoewel hij er af en toe bijna flirtend tegenaan leunt. Luister meer eens naar Europe’s Dawn waar je even de indruk krijgt dat Awaken van Yes om de hoek komt kijken. Een dergelijke uitgewerkte beweging zou zijn muziek nog een breder spectrum geven. Misschien iets voor een volgend project?

Maar laat het duidelijk zijn, we hoeven echt niet ver te zoeken om elektronische muziek van hoge kwaliteit te vinden. Closer is dichterbij dan je denkt.

Belgian keyboard player Frank van Bogaert is amongst those musicians who have the ability to make music of great warmth and depth with synthesizers and samplers. Next to this, he is an excellent composer. He is very well at home in all sorts of music: from pop, via world to orchestral and symphonic. On many times, he is regarded the new Vangelis.

On his fifth album “Closer” Frank again creates a showcase that ranges from light and easy accessible to monumental pieces of great beauty.
Just take “Coming Up From Air”. This track could easily be used as film music.
Frank’s diversity is clear in “Rorogwela” where he uses a traditional melody originally from the Solomon Islands, also used by Deep Forest (one of Frank’s sources of inspiration) and Jan Garbarek.

Big symphonic tunes can be heard in pieces like “Melting”, “Europe’s Dawn”, the fantastic “Dans (da:ns)” and “Sweetness”.
Sometimes he also just sits down an (acoustic or electric) piano, plays softly and dresses this up with synths.
“ A Picture Of You” and “Falling Leaves” are fine examples of this.
At other times, he lets the rhythm do the job, not forgetting the melody (“Closer” , “Caleidoscope”).

With “Closer”, Frank adds another highlight to his growing number of masterpieces. If you have heard one of them you want them all!

Frank van Bogaert - Closer
14 / 64:05 Groove Unlimited (2004)

Der “belgische Vangelis“, Frank van Bogaert, hat wieder zugeschlagen und bringt mit „Closer“ sein mittlerweile fünftes Werk auf den Markt. Der Begriff “belgischer Vangelis“ ist hier nicht negativ gemeint, vielmehr bedeutet das, dass Frank es wie kein anderer Musiker drauf hat, die Musik von Vangelis in sich aufzunehmen und sie in einer eigenen Art zu spielen. Dabei klingt er nicht nur wie Vangelis zu seinen besten Zeiten, sondern - wie ich finde - noch besser. Erinnerungen an Klassiker wie „Antarctica“, „Chariots Of Fire“, „Direct“ oder „Blade Runner“ werden wach.

Während sich der „große Grieche“ in Richtung Klassikmusik weiterentwickelt hat, man höre sich nur mal das sehr orchestrale „Mythodea“ an, hat Frank van Bogaert seinen Stil der 80’er aufgenommen und mit neuen Klängen versehen. Herauskommt ein sehr warmer, melodiöser Sound, der direkt unter die Haut geht.

Mit dem Stück „Rorogwela“ befindet sich ein Track auf dem Album, das seinen Ursprung in einer Melodie eines traditionellen Songs von den Solomon Inseln hat. Dies wäre sicher noch keine Erwähnung wert, jedoch wurde diese Melodie in den 90’ern schon einmal sehr erfolgreich von dem Projekt Deep Forest unter dem Titel „Sweet Lullaby“ umgesetzt und auch Jan Garbarek hat ihn schon interpretiert. In der Sportsendung „Anpfiff“, die bei RTL lief, wurde der Deep Forest-Song mit seiner sehr schönen eingängigen Melodie oft eingesetzt. Da Frank diese Melodie ebenfalls gefiel und sie sich häufig in seinen Gehirnwindungen festsetzte, hat er auf „Closer“ seine ganz eigene Version eingespielt.

Neben symphonisch angelegten Stücken wie „Melting“ und „Europe’s Dawn“ finden sich sanfte Stücke wie „A Picture Of You“ und „Falling Leaves“, bei denen sanfte Geigen- oder Pianoklänge im Vordergrund stehen auf dem Silberling. Rhythmischer und Sequenzerorientiert geht es dann beispielsweise bei „Closer“ und „Caleidoscope“ zu. Letzteres enthält darüber hinaus einige jazzige Elemente. Den Abschluss bildet mit „Night Brings Silence“ ein etwas melancholischer Titel. Alle Songs sind aber sehr eingängig.

Frank interpretiert die 14 Stücke, die zwischen 1:42 und 7:30 Minuten Spielzeit liegen, mit einer Leichtigkeit und Selbstverständlichkeit, dass diese Spielfreude sofort auf den Zuhörer überspringt. Mit „Closer“ ist Frank wieder ein ganz hervorragendes Album gelungen. Wer die oben genannten Alben von Vangelis kennt, kommt um diese CD nicht herum. Bei dieser Produktion ist Gänsehautfeeling angesagt.

Stephan Schelle, Oktober 2004

Back to top

Frank Van Bogaert "Closer" (Groove Unlimited, 2004)

The title track has some sequenced synths and rich sounds at the beginning. It then incorporates a nice piano melody (very much in the style of Vangelis). It's a rhythmic / melodic track that involves some modern elements, such as the rhythm itself.

Typical Frank Van Bogaert in his "composed" mode. Some voices can also be heard.
Overall, it's a very cheering, ubpeat number. "Coming Up For Air" is next. We get very atmospheric with this one, the beginning sounding very berlinish, with sequences and a great melody playing on top. Again it's a composed (not improvised) track and a very tasty one, full of grandeur and, well.. simply class!

The synth sounds are very rich and there are also some choirs (a bit similar to the ones used on "Conquest of Paradise") that play an important role. Overall the track has something of a 90's Tangerine Dream quality to it (the sax perhaps?). "Rorogwela" is based on a traditional melody from the Solomon Islands. I find it a beautiful, melodic World Music track, very easy on the ear, but quite substantial to maintain interest. Very good. "High Above" is pretty ambient, with floating, velvet synths all over the place.. Beautiful stuff that also has some brilliantly rendered sax melody floating on top of the synths.

The track sounds more or less improvised. The next cut is called "Melting". Lots of piano on this one and a marching electronic rhythm. The mood is pretty relaxed. Some heavier drums appear in the second part of the track. The main melody is pretty catchy which reaffirms once again the fact that Frank Van Bogaert has a real knack for creating great melodies, in this regard certainly being one of the best composers on the EM scene today. "A Picture of You" - a sad, romantic track. So simple, but SO beautiful! This is simply outstanding! I'll give it to Frank, he really managed to touch my soul with this one.

Next comes a short reprise of the title track which features an already familiar melody, but in a more floating, rhythmless setting. We are slowly gliding towards "Caleidoscope" and you can't imagine my delight when I had to find out it's largely an improvised track!! Very cosmic beginning with super delicious sounds. So perfectly done, and then this rhythmic, jazzy, spacey improvisational jam, with electric pianos, keyboard sounds, synths etc.

This is the Frank Van Bogaert I like most (the style which was first heard on "Human") and I found this track simply amazing! I'd go anywhere with this music playing. "Europe's Dawn" - a slow beginning and, what's that? Another impovised track!! By this moment I'm already in heaven but this track sounds more perfect than heaven itself. A very relaxed rhythm, mysterious sounds and improvised structures. This one delivers the goods big time! As I've stated earlier this is the kind of stuff I like most, so this album has made my day already.

"Good Morning Song" is a mid-tempo, melodic number that returns to the more composed style of Frank's music.
"Dans [da:ns]" features a stomping rhythm and belinesque sequences combined with male choirs and some voices. Interesting combination.
"Falling Leaves" is very evocative of its title. This is really October music. Great track!
"Sweetness" is very romantic but gets rather intense towards the end and the fact that the track is (again) largely improvised makes it all the more enjoyable for me.
"Night Brings Silence" is a sparse atmospheric (again - improvised!) number and a perfect way to end this diverse and full-sounding album. Overall,
"Closer" has slightly more sequences than usually with Frank's music and sees him further developing his unique improvisational style that was introduced on "Human" and that yours truly finds extremely enjoyable.

There are many EM albums out there but don't forget that there's good stuff and then there's GOOD stuff. And with tracks like "A Picture of You", "Caleidoscope", "Europe's Dawn" and "Sweetness" (plus many others) this album ranks up with the very best of that second category.

To Human CD review