ALPHA CENTAURI

Whereas their first album, "Electronic Meditation", was rather inspired by the experimental first half of PINK FLOYD's track "A Saucerful of Secrets", this time "Alpha Centauri" is more influenced by its melodic second half. This second effort is the result of important evolutions in TANGERINE ALBUM, on many points.

First of all, Klaus Schulze and Conrad Schnitzler have been replaced by organ experimentater Steve Schroyder and young promising ex-AGITATON FREE drummer Christopher Franke. In addition, two guest musicians were recruited: Udo Dennenbourg at flute and Roland Paulick at VCS 3, with Franke. Second, unlike its predecessor, "Alpha Centauri" is planned to be a genuine studio album. Third, the music has now changed from free experimental krautrock to more listenable "kozmische musik". Finally, and the most important, this record is a milestone for TANGERINE ALBUM, as it shows the germans building their own musical identity, apart from other psychedelic freak'n'roll jam bands of the same period. Less rock, wilderness and improvisation, still not very electronic, however more organs, flute and contemplative moments.

The first half of the record is the most accessible, as it is greatly influenced by the magnificient "Celestial Voices" passage from FLOYD's "A Saucerful of Secrets". "Alpha Centauri" is the nearest stellar system from our solar system, and the third most brightest from Earth. The slow "Sunrise In The Third System" opens with a delicate intro, and then becomes mystical with its organ and strange sounds. Beautiful. "Fly And Collision Of Comas Sola" is a reference to the passage near Jupiter of a comet discovered by spanish astronomer Josep Comas i Solà November 5th, 1926. This track is longer but in the same vein than its predecessor. The first part represents the fly, with contemplative superimposed guitars, organs and flute patterns. The collision is symbolized by the second part and contains a frenetic drums progression by Franke. The single "Ultima Thule" has reminiscences with this track. These two compositions are pure cosmic classics.

The title track is more difficult to approach and may take several listens to appreciate. A somber, ambient and also experimental 22 minutes long epic. There are plenty of various soundscapes and sound effects, but hardly no melodies, and the organ is less present than on the previous tracks. The middle part can be a bit long, and the composition can sound not very structured. However, it contains some really good passages. Listening to this will let you marooned in the infinity of space. The finale, sounding very POPOL VUH-ish with its mystical organ and choir, is simply great. Overall not very accessible, but showing TANGERINE ALBUM's will to emancipate from their initial floyd-ian roots.

The cover, the title and the music are coherent, the spatial theme is respected. The sound is not always mastered, as this was the first time TANGERINE ALBUM experimentated with synthetizers. However, with this opus, Froese and co. place themselves apart from the krautrock scene, by delivering their first intemporal cosmic soundtrack. More accessible and completely different from "Electronic Meditation", "Alpha Centauri" possesses its own personality and is a mandatory stop for anyone wanting to discover or already into "kozmische musik".

After this record, Steve Schroyder will leave but nonetheless be invited as a guest musician on the next opus, "Zeit". Concerning Christopher Franke, he will stay in the band during 16 years. The dream is just beginning...

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