ELECTRONIC MEDITATION

Although strange is a vital part of all great artists' careers, it's a little odd that Tangerine Dream's career began this way. Now known as one of the pioneering acts in the electronic and space music realms, Tangerine Dream are a band I'd associate most with sparse soundscapes, hypnotic sequences, and the general feeling of being lost out in the depths of space. Comprised here of Edgar Froese, Conrad Schnitzler, and Klaus Schulze, I may have expected these three electronic legends to begin this project on a note more indicative of their signature sound. Instead of spacey ambiance however, we get a noisy, experimental piece of music that sounds about three quarters of the way to balls-out krautrock. The innovative spirit that pervades much of their other early work is still here, but for my money, I prefer the band's more open-ended space exploration to the chaotic sounds of "Electronic Meditation".

It's funny; "Electronic Meditation" is a title I'd give to much of Tangerine Dream's output, but it certainly does not apply to the music here. The band's performance here may convey the same sense of loose composition and texture-centricity Tangerine Dream are known for, but it's brought forth through oppressive dissonance and rough distortion. Recorded in a factory, "Electronic Meditation" feels very raw in its production- feedback is as much a part of the music as are the drums and organ. The album was recorded as a rehearsal, which says alot for the way the album sounds and feels. Although there is a general rise and fall of intensity in the compositions, you can expect plenty of wandering improvisations and spontaneity on the album.

In lieu of this spontaneous, improvised nature, it's understandable that the experiments therein are hit-or-miss. In this case, the trio tends to get hits and misses in roughly equal balance. At times, the psychedelic, fuzzy guitar soloing and thick organs can make for a powerful, down-to-earth atmosphere that a more refined recording would most often lack. "Electronic Meditation" may not be great, but it's certainly interesting, and worth a listen for fans of the three musicians. Even great artists start somewhere.

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