Rumpistol - 2025 - Nebula

(50:08; The Rust Music)

Track list:
1. Ascension 4:01
2. Stargazer 3:58
3. Nebula 4:35
4. Pale Blue Dot 3:27
5. Above the Horizon 7:50
6. Celestial Awe 4:36
7. Alpha Centauri 5:07
8. Tralfamadore 2:55
9. Silver Seed 3:52
10. Air Born Again 3:37
11. Cosmic Waltz 6:10

Line-up:
Jens Berents Christiansen - pianette, würlitzer, synthesizers, programming, cembalo, guitars, percussion, recorder
Sven Dam Meinild  - flute, EWI, clarinets, saxophone.
Maria Jagd - violin, viola
Emil de Waal - drums, percussion, bowed metal
Helene Tungelund - Celtic harp
with:
Anders Stig Möller - bass
Nicolai Land - bass 
Anna Roemer - guitars
Yana Couto - piano
Disa - vocals
Todo Haruka - voice


Prolusion.
Danish artist Rumpistol revolve around Danish composer and musician Jens Berents Christiansen, and for the past twenty years and a bit he has been releasing solo albums at a regular pace, in addition to creating score music and being involved in various band projects. This spring he is out with the solo album "Nebula", which was released on US label The Rust Music.

Analysis.
This is one of those albums that I would categorize as being of interest to a progressive rock oriented audience rather than being a part of the style and tradition as such. This is music that certainly exists beyond what one may describe as the mainstream sphere, but that touch upon aspects of more broadly appealing music just as much as featuring details of different kinds that we also encounter inside of the progressive rock universe. And in this case the electronic part of the progressive music universe.

Various forms of cosmic flavored and otherworldly sounding escapades is the kind of landscape explored in this production. Which obviously is logical when the album is called "Nebula". And for the most part this is also an instrumental affair, with very occasional some spoken word parts and what sounds like wordless atmospheric laden voices the sole exceptions to this.

I would say that a part of this experience are compositions that at least to a lesser degree make use of elements from the ambient electronic music tradition, with flowing and elegant keyboards and synthesizers having important roles to play throughout. We do get a liberal amount of passages with a firmer and more expressive sound and orientation though, with the atmospheric laden landscapes comparable to an artist like Vangelis being just as much a presence as more dramatic and expressive excursions closer to the kind of material one might encounter from Tangerine Dream. But lighter toned, more lighthearted displays that in tone, mood and setting may be a bit closer to an artist like Jean-Michel Jarre will also be encountered along the way here. Adding a little bit more spice to these creations are various instrument additions. A mournful violin here, a groove-oriented, dark and captivating synth bass there, delicate brass details, subtly expressive saxophone leads and the delicate sounds of the flute all adding nuances and details to the landscapes explored in a most tasteful manner. With a little bit of jazz-inspired instrument details expanding the boundaries a bit further.

While otherworldly effects of several different varieties are commonplace throughout, we also see Rumpistol dipping his hands into the classical music legacy on this cosmic trip. We get one case of a more or less purebred classical music creation revolving around the piano, the violin and the flute, and from the other end of that musical universe we get a more expressive and at times majestic sounding electronic and synthesizer dominated affair that to my ears sounds like a modern day reinterpretation of Isao Tomita.

It is obvious that this is an album made by a seasoned music creator, and one that is safely situated in a creative peak too. The compositions are well developed, with lead motifs as well as all the underlying details and effects coming across as being planned in full detail. With an excellent mix and production that adds that little bit of extra to the experience here.

Conclusion.
One subjective observation I made is that my wife, when listening to this album, was a bit dismayed when the album ended. As she doesn't normally enjoy instrumental music all that much, and rarely listen to this kind of music with intent and attention, that says a little bit about the compelling qualities of this production as far as I'm concerned. In more objective terms, I would suggest that those who have a just about equal interest in ambient music and progressive electronic music, as well as those who are generally fond of instrumental music described as cosmic or otherworldly, are demographics that should track down this album and give it a listen. A most solid production with some brilliant highs at its best.

Olav "Progmessor" Björnsen, June 2025

Links:
https://rumpistol.com/
https://www.therustmusic.net/