OOR Avant Garde

Sometimes a relatively small band is the starting point for great things. In the early eighties, the Amsterdam-based Minny Pops briefly operated at the forefront of new wave and released records on the renowned Factory label. Looking back, however, it was also, and perhaps most importantly, the starting point for the fine careers of record label boss Wally van Middendorp, VPRO radio boss Gerard J. Walhof, Excelsior producer Frans Hagenaars, and Stephen Emmer.

The latter developed into a sound wizard who lent his services as a composer, arranger, and producer to The Associates, The Lotus Eaters, and Chaka Khan, among others. He also created many theme tunes for TV programs.

Passengers

His career under his own name took off starting in 2007, when he released the single Passengers with Lou Reed. Albums such as Recitement and International Blue garnered much international acclaim. Asymmetrical Dot is now his ninth solo album.

Very evocative

A melancholic album, created during a period when Emmer's mother passed away and his first grandson was born. The reflective tone suits him very well. The instrumental pieces feature a wide range of timbres and are very evocative. Just listen to the early life in Benja’s Birth or Cri De Coeur, dedicated to his musical kindred spirit Mark Hollis (Talk Talk).

For his services to music, Stephen Emmer was knighted a few years ago. Asymmetrical Dot convincingly demonstrates why.

[OOR - Avant Garde - March 5, 2026]

Listen to Asymmetrical Dot on your favourite music platform here

Buy the Asymmetrical Dot album on CD here