Ian Boddy & Harald Grosskopf :: Doppelgänger (DiN)

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A masterclass in Berlin School-inspired sequencing, immersive soundscapes, and a fusion of electronic textures that recall the golden age of 1970s synthesis while embracing modern production techniques.

A bold step forward for two legends

Few albums manage to capture the essence of vintage electronic music while simultaneously pushing the genre into new sonic territory. Doppelgänger, the latest collaboration between two titans of electronic sound—Ian Boddy and Harald Grosskopf—achieves just that. Released on Boddy’s renowned DiN label, this album is a masterclass in Berlin School-inspired sequencing, immersive soundscapes, and a fusion of electronic textures that recall the golden age of 1970s synthesis while embracing modern production techniques.

A meeting of electronic minds ::

Ian Boddy, an influential British synthesist and sound designer, has long been at the forefront of ambient and electronic music. With a career spanning decades, he has not only released solo albums but also fostered collaborations through his DiN label, where he explores both analog and digital synthesis with remarkable fluidity. His expertise in modular synthesis is legendary, and this album is yet another showcase of his evolving sonic vocabulary.

Harald Grosskopf, best known for his seminal Synthesist album and collaborations with Klaus Schulze, Tangerine Dream, and Ashra, brings a rhythmic sensibility to Doppelgänger that is both organic and hypnotic. His drumming and keyboard work are essential components of the album’s depth, making this partnership a perfect melding of rhythmic precision and atmospheric grandeur. Some noticeable nods to dub groove and rhythm, really help make this album breathe with urgency and life.

A vintage sonic palette ::

One of the standout aspects of Doppelgänger is its throwback to classic analog production. The album was recorded using a mix of vintage and modern tools, mixed through an analog Studer 904A console, and recorded onto a Nagra T-Audio tape machine, reinforcing its rich, warm, and dynamic sound. The instrument list is a dream for synthesizer enthusiasts—and as someone who has always loved pouring over the gear lists on classic synth albums, this one is particularly exciting.

The sound of Doppelgänger ::

From the moment “Diodengesang” opens the album, it’s clear this is more than a simple exercise in nostalgia. Boddy’s intricate sequencer patterns dance around Grosskopf’s fluid drum programming, while tracks like “Boulevard Horizon” and “Dubnium” showcase the duo’s ability to weave shimmering, arpeggiated soundscapes. Meanwhile, “Livewire” brings a playful, almost improvisational energy, and the grandiose title track closes the album with an epic, cinematic flourish.

This album is a must-listen for fans of Berlin School electronica, modular synthesis, and anyone who appreciates the timeless fusion of rhythm and melody. Doppelgänger is not a throwback—it’s a bold step forward for two legends who continue to shape the future of electronic music. Fans of classic krautrock and Berlin-school synthesis rejoice!