Loading cart
Cycles
Who is Wolfgang Bock? Is he Wolfgang von Pappritz? Is he Peter Flieger? Apparently he's all three.
In 1980 Telefunken released a great Berlin School electronics album from Wolfgang Bock called Cycles. It was produced by Klaus Schulze. It fell into obscurity but fans of this style of music were well aware of it and spoke of it in hushed voices. (I'm talking to you if you are fan of Tangerine Dream and Klaus Schulze).
It never saw a CD release and vinyl copies have gotten more expensive over the years. About 10 years ago I tried to reissue it as a Laser's Edge release. I could not locate Wolfgang Bock. I did find out that his real name was Wolfgang von Pappritz....or was it. I reached out to him but never received a response. I heard through the grapevine he had no interest in a reissue. I let it go...
2022 finally finds us with a CD reissue of the album. The bio doesn't mention Wolfgang von Pappritz. Instead it says that Wolfgang Bock is actually Peter Flieger. Is it important? I guess not but I find it all weird.
Here is what I can tell you about the album It opens with the 19 minute title track. It fits the classic Berlin School sound. Layers of keyboards with tons of Mellotron built up over a rhythmic section of synthesized bass and real drums. What was the second side consists of shorter pieces but still in that classic mode. There is actually a bonus track included which you can read about in the label hype below.
If this is your style you will hear none finer. BUY OR DIE!!
"The electronic-musician Wolfgang Bock comes from the environment of Klaus Schulze and his debut "Cycles", released on vinyl in 1980, is strongly influenced by him.
The title track, which takes up the entire first side of the original vinyl edition, is still completely in the tradition of the Berlin School. Slowly wafting sound arcs and mystical mellotron choirs determine the opening of the track. After some time, the characteristic sequencer rhythm sets in, supplemented by real drums, and the track is taking up speed.
On the second side of the original album, however, Wolfgang Bock then hits more independent tones. The first part of "Robsai" consists mainly of powerful organ sounds, the second part on the other hand reminds a bit of some works by Vangelis (like "Albedo 0.39" or "Spiral"): Rejoiced synth sounds accompanied by heavy drumming. About halfway through the track, the synths fade away, and the rest of "Robsai Part II" is a pure drum solo.
As bonus the album contains the track "Wir fliegen ins All", which Wolfgang Bock aka Peter Flieger recorded in 1981 in Berlin's Paragon Studios and which was released as an EP in 1982 under the pseudonym Helicopter.
"Cycles" is released in remastered and digital form for the first time since 1980."