TIMESQUARE - DREAM MIXES 2

No one knew it at the time (probably not even TD themselves) that with their "just for fun" remix project of 1995, "Dream Mixes One", they would launch yet another creative avenue that would take the band into uncharted territories once more like so many times during the bands long career. This time it was the club scene that made it's presence felt in TD's music. The first Dream Mixes album was an enjoyable but rather rough and ready affair with the emphasis on beats rather than melodic refinement or inventiveness but by the time the second came along 3 years later they had truly understood the creative potential of their new musical direction and "Time Square-Dream Mixes II" was a very different proposal. This time they unleashed all the originality that has always been an integral part of TD's music into the remixing concept and the result was sheer delight. "Time Square" simply bursts out of the speakers with beats by the plenty but also with all the artistic vision and scope of an "ordinary" TD album. By the early 90's TD had lost their way and were clearly floundering,searching for a new direction and with the advent of dance/trance/drum'n'bass,they realised the potential for rejuvenating their music through these influences and by the time of "Time Square" in 98 they had already utilized these influences on albums like "Tyranny Of Beauty" and "Goblin's Club" (and "Dream Mixes One of course") so by the time they made "Time Square" they had understood and harnessed the qualities of this type of music and become masters of integrating it within the framework of TD's music,giving the band a much needed vitamin injection and steering them safely towards the future. "Time Square" is a modern TD masterpiece and one of my all time TD favourites,worthy to stand alongside any TD classics from the 70's and 80's.

Finally embracing the nineties

3.5 stars

Least worthy of its name, this "Dream Mixes" release is nevertheless one of the most interesting of the series. Contrarily to the first double compilation, this second volume features only two 1997 remixes from TD's recent albums, "Turn of the Tides" and "Goblins Club". All the other tracks are new compositions, 4 by Jerome Froese, and only 1 by Edgar.

After ten years of mediocre studio material where the band was searching for renewal, "Dream Mixes 2 - Timesquare" arrives as the long awaited disc, the one that can bring hope to the fans. At last, Froese and son are finally taking confidence on the 90's by (progressively) giving up the new-age orientation taken since the end of the 80's and adapting their music to the big-beat / techno / jungle drums and sonorities, while making the TANGERINE DREAM style evolving. Everything is not perfect yet, but this almost-studio opus do come as a welcomed surprise.

"Mobocaster" is a rearranged version of "Twilight Brigade" from "Turn of the Tides". An average track, relaxing but cheesy at times, which is not very surprising considering the source album. The spacey ambient "Jungle Jacula" contains a middle-eastern-ish ambiance and female vocalizations. A pleasant composition that can remind early FUTURE SOUND OF LONDON works. "Towards the Evening Star (Blue Gravity Mix)" is of course a remix of "Towards The Evening Star", the best track from TD's last album back then, "Goblins Club". Its big-beat drums and additional variations render the title even more cosmic. Overall a pretty cool remix. Concerning "Digital Sister", its jungle and trance atmospheres make it rather enjoyable.

However, the best novelty here is undoubtedly "Pixel Pirates". A lively and dreamy voyage aboard a spaceship between the planets! Considering the release period, this title foreshadows TANGERINE DREAM's next studio album, the good "Mars Polaris", and - with some imagination and more upbeat drums - could have been featured on the PlayStation WipeOut soundtracks. The rest of the record is more a mixed bag. Longest track of the record, "Culpa Levis" is also the only new composition by Edgar Froese here. Using female vocalizations again, these 10 minutes aren't bad but not really remarkable either, whereas the title track alternates nice and soapy passages.

For sure, "Dream Mixes 2" still contains some boring moments, but much fewer than on the previous releases. The middle of the album is the main interest. At last, TD's ten years dry inspiration period (since 1987) is coming to an end, Froese and son begin to takes the right direction.

One of their best nineties' releases, and, if I can say so, studio album, with "Mars Polaris" of course. Recommended if you enjoy, or want to discover worthwhile post-classic TANGERINE DREAM.