UNDERWATER SUNLIGHT

In honor of my 300th review for this fabulous site, it has immediately dawned on me that I need and wish to dedicate this critique to my dearest friend 'febus' aka Antoine, who tragically left us just before Christmas past, in another shocking medical screw-up that led to his passing. We are lessened by his silence but resolved in knowing that his reviews and posts are still available for all to see and admire. In our numerous PMs and phone calls, one rather hysterical irony was that even though I owned 33 Tangerine Dream albums , the one he loved more than any other and by far, was "Underwater Sunlight", a title I had missing in my anthology! So I hunted this omitted disc with impassioned fervor and what a masterful effort it is! In listening to it the first time through, I was immediately choked by the emotions of it all, providing a ceremonial soundtrack to Antoine's legacy, well known and documented by those who were blessed to read him or know him. New keyboardist Paul Haslinger does a prima job here, weaving effortlessly with veterans Edgar Froese and Chris Franke. "Song of the Whale pt1: From Dawn" awakens with restrained beauty, a rather evocative aquatic interpretation of the sea, punctuated by occasional squalls of crested guitars, swelling cascades of synthesized flourishes, leisurely swirling into tormented ebbs and flows. "Part 2: the Dusk" the weary inflections of a grand piano (yes, Herr Haslinger), meandering after a full day of extenuating crashing, swelling, bobbing and rolling manages to express the cyclical power of the majestic cetacean beast and its even wider watery expanse . A powerful Froese fret solo swishes through the haze as the glowing oceanic sun gently prepares for bed. "Dolphin Dance" is much more playful, in reflecting the porpoises joyful attitude, with flipping (sorry, couldn't help it!) rhythms, swift acrobatics and mischievous glee. "Ride on the Ray" seemingly refers to that diabolically unique ocean creature, the Sting Ray and provides the platform for another elegant display of Froese's guitar prowess, with mesmerizing synthetic rhythms adding movement to the flow, a spell binding piece that has immense melodic staying power. Chris Franke has always been the "rhythm" merchant and on "Scuba Scuba", he showcases his wondrous talents with some poignant electronic percussion, all subtlety and grace, while Haslinger and Froese drift about, wisps of synthesized splendor and brisk sophistication meandering gracefully. The title track closes out this magnificent marvel, certainly in the same league as chef- d'oeuvres "Phaedra", "Rubycon", "Force Majeure" and the live masterpieces "Pergamon" and "Ricochet". Henceforth, this gentle, elegant and unpretentious music has and for evermore will, conjure the fondest memories of a true friend, a musical companion and an eternal soul. 5 blessed Antoines .