TANGERINE AMBIENCE 
469185
CD
A TRIBUTE TO TANGERINE DREAM-VOLUME 1

STYLE/LINK:TANGERINE DREAM

Yes, this album is not actually by the Tangs at all, although you'd hardly know that when you get to hear some of the amazing cover versions of their classic material, especially the version of ‘Phaedra’, which is absolutely stunning and gives the original more than a good run for it’s money! For this album, several USA and European artists each recorded a version of their particular favourite Tangerine Dream tracks, and, with one exception, the collection is a total triumph. ‘Ambient’ and ‘Synth’ music meets head on and the result is 9 tracks over seventy-five minutes of fantastic electronic music. They are all magnificent interpretations of TD favourites, that, while keeping fairly true-to-the-originals, have added new perspectives to the classic Teutonic performances, with that extra special touch coming from a production quality that is more ‘now’ that 70’s, making them unique and firmly 90's based renditions! The feedback from the hard-core TD fans that have bought this (and ‘Volume 2’) over the past few years has been nothing short of positive, so read on for a track-by-track rundown on the best set of Tangerine Dream covers ever!

Starting with the undoubted highlight of the album – Track 2, where we have a simply brilliant version of 'Phaedra' by the excellent Surface 10, and their use of sequencers, synths and Mellotrons actually sounds almost better than the original version - Yes it's true, and it's all done with just as much emotion, depth and warmth as the older TD version, but dare we say it, with an added bite that the original lacked - Quite awesome! The CD opens with Inter-Mase doing 'Invisible Lights' and keeping very true-to-the-original, with that trademark cascading bass synth signature and flute Mellotron patterns, but this has an extra layer of shimmering synths that sounds better than the original, as the flowing Mellotron layers evolve from the back of the track and seem to hang there longer than before, and to excellent effect. A great drum machine layer is also added underneath the blanket of synths and keyboards. Then comes 'Phaedra' in all its shining glory, followed by Rey Project's version of 'Force Majeure', again another absolutely stunning version with tons of swirling synths adding to the flowing soundscapes that made up the original. However, Del Rey adds things to the central framework, including the odd sample, some deep rumbling bass, and a beautiful set of synth sounds at the five-minute mark, just before the piece takes off on an echoed percussive rhythm. A sea of string-synths and a gorgeous early Oldfield-like synth-guitar sound adds a unique melodic effect to the piece, and then track becomes a mesh of classic TD and early Oldfield for over ten fantastic minutes. Track 4 finds Supersonic Project doing 'Mojave Plan', starting with one minute of space effects, before the repeated bass synth phrase starts up over a bed of thudding percussives and soaring keyboard sounds, that eventually fall away in the distance as a mass of soundscapes beam into a superb ethereal effect. Next, a sequencer and drum dual rhythm begins as the synths continue to soar into the heavens; the rhythms accelerate and a stunning melody line emerges on top - Now it's a magnificent rhythmic collaboration that eclipses the original by miles, sounding so fresh and vital in it's new form. At the seven-minute point the sequencer changes pace to a faster, typically TD style as the drum pattern continues in the background. A veritable sea of synth melodies is heard all around creating a quite breathtaking effect, but then the rhythms come upfront and a new melody is heard, almost completely reconstructing the piece, yet still keeping within the spirit of the original before returning to the original towards the end - Another ten minutes of sheer brilliance. Up next is 'Exit' from Dean De Benedictus - This is a slower version, with soothing layers of synth melodies flowing over a neat drum machine rhythm, with accompanying sequencer lines at the back of the pounding rhythm to help it along. The track is quite slow overall, and a rather interesting slant on the original. Obviously this is an attempt to take a more trance-influenced route, but he makes it far subtler than just shoving in a load of bombastic dance rhythms. Then Rey takes a stab at 'Dolphin Dance', and again, it’s another great set of drum rhythms that surges up, along with a lone synth melody soaring gently on top of the solid rhythmic base. Further synths emerge on to the soundstage, from booming phased slabs to delicate refrains as the track begins to build, layer upon layer, intensifying as the pace gradually accelerates. Then the power button is pushed a little harder, but still this is a classic slice of TD music, treated differently, but to stunning effect!  Track 7 is 'Bent Cold Sidewalk' from the ‘Cyclone’ album, and it’s a curious choice for Giez, as it never was the best TD track in the world anyway. But, Giez has virtually completely reconstructed it, and apart from the (mercifully) brief vocal section, the track unfolds into quite a spacey piece, with throbbing, echoed swirling synth swoops, rhythms and melodies involved, before a soaring string-synth style backdrop emerges to breathtaking effect, then, just as those damn vocals re-emerge, the piece dramatically decelerates and dies away. Sadly, this is not too good, and to me anyway, it's the only poor track on the album. Tracks 8 and 9 are two bonus tracks from ex-TD musicians, not actually Tangerine Dream tracks, but originals done in the style of the band. First comes Augenstern (a familiar name to CDS customers and a band led by Steve Schroyder) with a track that could be a lost TD composition; it's that close to the TD sound and spirit and it's a real shame that there is only three minutes of it!  Finally comes none other that Conrad Schnitzler with a surprisingly good track that has the TD style and feel, but firmly allied to the Schnitzler way of doing things. The result is a sparkling set of shimmering synth rhythms, booming bass sounds, atonal synth tinklings and a thunderous slant on a sequencer rhythm line without actually being one!  As the track reaches its final few minutes the synths swarm in and flow effortlessly to reveal a really superb and quite mesmerising track, and an odd way to end the album.

Weight: 150.00 g