ALPHA CENTAURI

For me the early work of TANGERINE DREAM rank as some of the most profound electronic albums of all time. After "Electronic Meditation", both Klaus Schulze and Conrad Schnitzler abruptly left, and were replaced by Steve Schroyder (later briefly of ASH RA TEMPEL) and a teenaged Chris Franke. "Alpha Centauri" transitioned TANGERINE DREAM away from the rock'ish sound found "Electronic Meditation" towards the interstellar deep space caverns of the darkest voyages into other worlds. "Alpha Centauri" as an album moves quite slowly and only contains a bit of percussion with the rest being a great collection of vintage keyboards. Without question I should mention the psychedelic-like state actually created here with flute and phased electronics. In many ways the 22 mins epic "Alpha Centauri" carries traces (and a creative pre cursor) to my favourite electronic album of all time "Epsilon In Malaysian Pale".

Also definitely hear PINK FLOYD's psychedelic influences throughout the album (minus the guitars and drums of course). TANGERINE DREAM for me were a band I really discovered at the tail end of my high school days and on into university life. I highly recommend you pick up the Sequel Records Re-Mastered version which is infinitely better than the Castle Records attempt to do the same... Today, I still love to play these early TANGERINE DREAM albums.