Peter Schilling - 40 Years of Major Tom - New Adventures (2023) Hi-Res

It’s been more than four decades since Peter Schilling landed a #1 hit on the German charts with "Major Tom (Völlig Losgelöst)" - the song remained on top of the charts for eight weeks.

The single, together with his debut album Error In The System (1982), marked the beginning of an unprecedented musical career for the artist originating from Stuttgart, Germany - a global success story spanning from Europe to the US, where his English version of "Major Tom (Coming Home)" reached #14 on the billboard charts. The album and single also reached #1 on the Canadian charts and were certified with several awards.

In the ensuing years, Schilling has remained active as a composer, lyricist, performer, arranger and producer. He still very much has his finger on the pulse of the times, as this collection’s new songs impressively prove.

“Additionally, this listening experience fortunately no longer requires having to install a large system in your living room. You can get this immersive experience anywhere with the help of headphones. I, for one, am completely enamored with this new way of producing.”

“Major Tom” kicks off with dancing all around the listening space while drums & bass take up residence across the front three speakers. Schilling’s whispered backing vocals appear largely from the front height speakers, with harmonies popping up from behind. Lead vocals interestingly appear largely from the top speakers during the chorus.

Percussion pops up in the heights for the intro to “Starting With Myself,” along with harmony vocals and ‘you-are-there’ ambience. Lead vocals are largely confined to the center speaker this time around, with the rhythm section again thundering in from upfront.

Synthesizers alternate between the rears & rear heights throughout “Into Your DNA,” while backing vocals again soar from above. “Terra Titanic” is definitely a highlight of the immersive presentation, with the wave-like synths swirling all around and metallic percussion banging in the front height speakers.

“World Hold On” is another highlight, again moving the keyboards all around the listening space and spreading the layered vocals up into the top speakers. During the chorus, a sequencer rapidly swirls around the heights to great effect.